The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-12
Below ws give the preface to the book written
by General JUBA a. EARLY, and privately printed
for him at Toronto The title page bears the FOL

Below VS. give the preface 10 tno pooh "1AoOo
by General JuBAL A. EARLY, and privately printed
for him at Toronto. The title page bears the 1ol
lowing:
ga Memoir of the Last Year Of the War for In
dependence in the Confederate States OF America,
containing an account 81 tae @ bv
ant-General Jubal A. Early. of the Provisional
Army Of the Confederate States. Dedicated to
The memory of the heroic dead who fell fighting
for liberty, right and Justice. Dec Pehdtce., 10
ronto."
The Richmond Enquirer, from which We quote
the preface, states that but q limited number OF
copies were printed, and that none are for sale.
PREFACE.
Under solemn sense OF duty to my unhappy
country, and to the brave soldiers who 1ought
under me, as well as to myself, the following pages
have been written:
When the question of practical secession from
the United States arose. citizen OF the State OF
Virginia, and q member of the Convention calleG
by the authority of the Legislature OF that state
opposed secession with all the ability possessed,
With the hope that the horrors OF civil wal might
be averted, and that returning sense OF duty and
Justice on the part of the masses Of the Northern
States would induce them to respect the rights OF
the people of the South. While some Northern
politicians and editors, who subsequently, took
rank amcng the most unscrupulous and VlndlctlVe
OF our enemies, and now hold me to be a traitor
and rebel, were openly and sedulonsly justifylns
and encouraging secession, was iaborng honesuy
As member Of the Virginia Convention, Veted
against the Ordinance of Secession on its passage
by that body, with the hope that, ever then, the
Collision of arms might be avoided, and some sat-
isfactory adjustment arrived at. The adoptlon OF
that ordinance wruDg from me bitter tea. OF
grief but at once recognized my duty to ABIDE
fae decision of my native State, and to defend her
soil against irvasion. Any scruples which may
have entertained as to the right OF secession, we're
soon dispelled by tho mad, wicked and uneonstltu-
tional measures of tho authorities at Washington,
and The frenzed clamor of the people Of the North
f,r war upon their former brethren Of the South.
i then. and ever since have, regarded Abraham
Lincoln his counsellors and supporters as the real
traitors who had overthrcwn the Constitution and
Government of the United 8 ates, and established
lieu thereof IN odious desPotism; and thus opn-
ion entered on the Journal Of the Convention
when signed the Ordinance Of Secession. re-
coenized The right of resistance and revolution as
exercised by cur fathers in 177, and Without caTil
as to the name by which it was calle1, entered
the military service of my State, willingly, cheer
filly and zealouay.
Confederate States, and her troops were turned
over to the Confederate Government embraced
the cause Of the whole Confederacy with equal ar
dor aud continued In the service, with the deter
mination to devote all the energy and talent l
possessed to the common defence. l fought
through the entire war without once regrettlng
The course had pursued, with abiding faith in
the Justice Of our cause; and never saw the
moment when would have been willing to consent
to any compromise or settlement short OF the ab-
solute independence Of my country.
It was my fortune to participate in most OF IL the
great military operations in which the army In Vir-
einia was engaged, both before and after Gen: Leo
assumed the command. In the last year OF this
times division and two corps Of Gen. Lees army
in the campaign from the Rapidan TO- the James
River, and subsequently a separate force which
marched into Maryland, threatened Washington
City, and then went through an eyentiul campaign
in The Valley Of Virginia. No detailed reports OF
the operations of these different commands were
made before the close Of the war; and the campaign
in Maryland and the Valley of Virginia has been
the subject Of much comment and mlsapprehen-
sion. / have now written narrative Of tho opera
tions Of all my commands during tho closing year
of the war; and lay it before the world as contr.-
button to tho history Of our great struggle for in
dependence. In giving that narrative, I have made
such statements Of the positions and strength OF
the opposing forces in Virginia, and such reference
to their general operations as we're necessary to
enable the reader to understand it; but do not
pretend to detail the operations OF other COM
manders.
injustice of attempting to pull down the rePut!a,
ton of any of my fellow Officers in order to build
up my own. My operations and my campaign
stand on their own merits, whatever they may pe
Nor, in anything may have found it necessary to
say in regard to the conduct of my troops, DO
wish to be understood as in any way decryng the
soldiers who constituted the rank and file OF my
commands. believe that the world has never
produced q body of men superior In courage, pa.
triotism and endurance to the private soldiers OF
the Confederate armies. I have repeatedly seen
these soldiers submit with cheerfulncss to priya-
tions and hardships which would appear to be al
most incredible; and the wild cheers OF our brave
mon (which were SO different from the studied
kI>o%V yCha
sent back opposing hosts of Federal troops, stag
gering, reeing and Gy;ng, have often thrilled every
hbre In my heart. I have seen, with my own eyes,
ragged, barefooted and hungry Confederate sol
diers perform deeds which, If performed in days
Of yore by mailed warriors in glitte1ing armor;
would have inspired the harp of the minstrel and
the pen OF the poet.
do no not aspire to the character Of historian,
but having been witness Of and participator in
great events, have given 9 e statement OF Thas
Without breaking the thread Of my narrative as
it proceeds, have given, in notes, comments on
some Of the errors and inconsistencies committed
by the Commander of the Federal Army, Gen.
Grant, and the Federal Secretary OF War, Mr. Stan
ton, in their reports made since the close OF the
war Also some instances OF cruelty and barbarlty
9 mmitted by the Federal commanders which were
brought to my immediate attention, as well as
some other matters Of interest
Az was to have been expected, our enemies have
flooded the Press with sketches and histories, in
which all the appliances Of meretricious literature
have been made use of, to glorify their own cause
and it's supporters and to blacken ours. But somo
Southern writer's also, who preferred the pen to
the sword or musket, have not been able to resist
the temptation to rush into print; and, accord
ingly, cafping criticisms have been written by the
light Of after events and oven histories OF tue war
attempted by persons who imagined that the dis
from the scene of conflict and an exemption from,
the disturbing elements of whistling bullets and
bursting shell. Perhaps other writer's Of the same
class may follow, and various speculations be in
dulged in as to the cause of our disasters As for
myself, I have not undertaken to speculate as to
the causes Of our failure, as have seen abundant
reason for it in the tremendous odds brought
against us. Having had some means Of Judging,
I will, however, say that, LII my opinion, both
President Davis and Gen. Lee in their respective
spheres, were as confident of the success Of our
cause which it was possible for mortal mon to be-,
and it is great privilege and comfort for me 80 to
believe, and to have been able to bring with me
into exile profound love and Generation for those
greet men.
In regard to my own services, all I have to say
is, that have the consciousness Of having done
my duty to my country, to the very best OF my
ability, and whatever my fato would not ex-
change that consciousness for untold millions. l
have come into exile rather than submit to tho
yoke Of the oppressors OF my country; but have
never thought Of attributng aught of blame or
censure to those true men who, after having nobly
done their duty IN the dreadful struggle through
which we passed, now that it has gone against us
remain to share the misfortunes Of their people,
and to aid and comfort them in their trials on tue
contrary, I appreciate and honor their motives.
have not sought refuge in another land from in
sensibilty to the VT wrongs and suerings Of my own
them, and could my life secure the redemption Of
that country, as it has been often raked SO now it
would be as freely given for that object.
There were men born and nurtured in the South |
fofo orHc ~
took eides with our enemies, and aided in desolat
ing and humiliating the land Of their own birth,
and OF the graves Of their ancestors Some of
them rose to high positions in the United States
them not their dearly bought prosperity. had
rather be the humblest private soldier who fought