Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-21
NEW BOOKS.

movements and actious--who, upon Cen
eral Morgan death, became his successor
in command, and led his troopers until
the final close of the contest From his
departure from Lexington, Kentucky, in
September, 1861, to his untimely fall in
the same month in 1864, the course of Nor
gan is carefully followed and trutbiully
detailed. His system Of warfare was his
own. lie knew nothing of the rules and
theories Of war as laid down in the books.
lie had eighteen months Of experience as
a subordinate cavalry officer in the Mexi-
can war, and on this foundation his native
genius erected that system which did his
country so much service and gave so much
eclqt 1t was by the adoption, substan0
TALLY, by other cavalry leaders, both in
the Federal and Confederate service, Of
Morgan's modes and tactics that they also
became distinguished. 1t was based on
the peculiar necessities of the military
situation, and was developed into a system
by the successful experiment and genius
Of Morgan; and history will accord to
him the credit of founding it, and also of
illustrating it
1t is most remarkable fact that, when
the Confederate lines had been suddenly
contracted from the Mississippi to Knox
vile, and the main army had by the
losses at Fishing Greek and Fort Donel-
son been compelled to yield Southern
Kentucky and the whole of Middle Ten~
nessee, and the commanders were con-
centrating on the north borders Of Mis-
sissippi, Morgan, with little more than
battalion, by his great activity, by his
energy, aud by his constant violation Of
all previously known rules of war, was
able to obstruct scouts, annoy and per-
plex and embarrass Bueils army for
/ several weeks. This service was inesti>
mable. When Buell., at length, moved,
Morgan was able to ascertain his force
and destination, and arrive at COrinth
with the information four days before he
reached Pittsburg landing. From that
time he was promoted, and thencefor-
ward he entered upon that broader career,
the successful imitation Of which reflect
ed so much glory and distinction on the
names of others.
The system was legitimate, and will
hereafter be recognized in the books on
war, as such. 1t has its evils, which
subjects it to hazard and to abuse. Its
popularity is favorable to laxness of
discipline, its exigencies often require an
appropriation of property, especially
horses, forage and ratiOns, without pre-,
vious contract and delivery Depots of
accumulated supplies, surplus animals,
and numbering trains of cumbersome
baggage wagons, are not a part of it.
Where it is most successful it often
evokes the seVerest animadversions and
hence Morgan was denounced as a guer-
rilla, highwayman, an outlaw, bril-
gand, thief and all that sort of thing
And there are many well-meaning peO-
pie who doubtless ascribe that character
to him to this day 1t is an unmitigated
falsehood and Dukes history shows it.
IL is true, wrongs are often committed,
excuses are INDUCED by the thought
less--it is an incident of the system,
impossible to wholly suppress; but it
was quite as general and glaring on the
side Of his denouncers as on his own
Our present space compels us to omit
an extended notice of this intensely en-
gaging book 1t is well, clearly and
compactly written, and as literary
effort is highly creditsble to the author.
1t possesses a peculiar local interest to
the people of Tennessee, on whose soil
so many of the stirring events contained
in il were enacted 1t should find its
place in every library in Middle Tennes-
see, and we trust it may.
The general agents for its sale and
delivery in Middle Tennessee are Nessrs.
Newsom, Glover q Co, Maxwell House,
Cherry street, to whom orders may be
addressed
WEARING or THE GAY Being Personal Por-
traits Scenes and Adventures of the War, by
John Esten Cooke, author Of SurTy Of la
gle's Nest" etc. etc. New l ork; +. b. Treat
& Co. Nashville. Tenn; A. S. Kinney. PIP. GOO.
The title sufficiently indicates the
scope of this work 1t embraces ''pOr-
trait" of Stuart, Beauregard, jackson,
Early, Ashby, Mosby, Pelham, Pegram,
and a number of others, distinguished in
the late war-besides q great many
scenes and adventures of the struggle, of
an exciting and amuseing character
The style Of Mr. Cooke is peculiarly
adapted to this line of composition, as
those who have read "SWry" win cons
cede.
History so generalizes its themes that
only the great figures stand out boldly
in after years-and the minor agencies of
the great events related sink out Of sight
MIR 9 proposes to rescue much of the
incident and adventure, and the deeds of
heroism performed by "lesser lights,
and perpetuate them. The greater por.
ton Of Wearing of the Gray" is thus de.
voted, and we have great many sketches
and facetie, admirably drawn and told
ltis work that will entertain and in
struct all who feel an interest in know
ing and remembering the real spirit and
honest purposes that impelled the actors
in the late war on the Confederate side,
as well those who held high positions as
those in the ranks
1 EaArErSNA rroN- - N army officer a North