The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1867-01-30
elcoMNUNICATED.1

etCOMICN1CATED
MEssRs. EDITORS: It has been my
good fortune to secure copy Of the
History of McGowan's Brigade" By our
talented young towns-man, James F. j.
Caldwell, Esquire. When the publication
of this work was announced, looked
for a success, but the reality has exceed
ed my most sanguine expectations. The
Author has taken up this Brigade Of South
Carol;nians fcom its organization, and
traced its history throughout its un-
interrupted connection with Gen. Lees
grand Army Of Northern Virginia
during the years go, '6s, "a, and '65.
In this work are contained admirably
written accounts of the battles around
Richmond, the Valley campaign against
Pope, the invasion of Maryland, the bat
ties Of Fredericksburg, Charlottesville.
Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness.
Spottsylvania C. H., Cold Harbor, at
Petersburg. and finally the touching sur
render of all orr hopes at Appomattox
C. II. The author has exhibited a most
through acquaintance With all the move
ments ofthis Army, and while making
his Brigade the standpoint Of his obser-
vation, yet he has written the best con-
necred history Of Lees army, the writer
has been able to find. Mr.. Caldwell has
succeeded most charmingly in divesting
bis work of all local:prejudices and par
tisan failiags. In no instance does the
writer recall an injustice to his comrades
of other Commands. A beautiful illus
tration of this is exhibited in the praise
he bestows upon Kershaw S Brigade, for
their conduct on the 9Th MAY, 1864,
when referring to the temporary confu-
sion whi:h resulted during the battle of
the Wilderness amongst the troops be-
cause of miSconception of some Of the
General officers, he says: 'Yet KershaW's
Brigade bore themselves with illustrious
gallantry. Some of the Regiments had
not only to deploy under fire, but when
they were formed, to force their way
through crowds of flying men, and re-es-
tablish their line. They met Grants le-
glons, opened cool and murderous fire
upon them, and continued it SO steadily
and resolutety, that the latter were com.
PEELED to give back. Here I honestly be-
lieve the Army of Northern Virginia was
saved ~
A work similar to his, coming from q
soldier who participated in its dangers,
it's tolls and its glories, in his own person,
and who is not, therefore, dependent up
on his imagination and the dry reports
of Generals as other writer's have been,
have long anxiously desired. Knowing
that this work comes from just such
hands and possessing such distinguished
merit, nothing gives the writer greater
pleasure than to commend it to the fa-
vourabIe consideration Of all the friends
of the Lost Cause" and especially to the
citizens of his own District.
In addition to Mr.. Caldwell's honor
able connection with the Army through
out the War, which enabled him to
thoroughly understand its history, he
has enjoyed and successfully enjoyed the
opportunities Of making himself fin-
ished writer. His good taste in freeing
his book from the rich colourines of the
imagination is highly commendable. His
is worthy theme, and he treats it with
the dignity of Roman. Tho failure is
acknowledged he neither whines around
the "Stars and Stripes" nor abuses our
President and Generals, nor indulges in
private boastings. On the contrary he
unfinchingly advocates the justice Of the
cause, deplores the result and beautifully
illustrates the glorious deeds of the living
and the dead. His descriptions ofthe bat
ties are followed with touching memoirs
of their dead. His tributes to Gregg,
Perrin, Marshall, Smith, Bookter, Ed
wards, Miller, McLemore and others are
just and graceful. In referring to Capt.
John C. McLemore so kindly remem-
bered by many of US he says: "His vas
a strange character and a strange life,
difficult to understand yet more difficult
to describe. Contradictions met in him;
ambitious, he pursued NJ fixed purpose;
lover of worldly pleasures, he vas sen.
sitive and ideal; an indifferent student,
he read and acquired much; unaddicted
to exertion, he was model in all soldier
ly exercises; brave and independent, he
was as affectionate as woman; to the
eye of the world, he was bright, hand
some, convivial, happy; to his nearest
friends, he was proud, honorable, unprac-
tical, generous, with dark shade of
melancholy underlying the surface
x Could ! write the symbols, I
would express his mind and his life by
smile and tear" AS a pen. portrait,
all who knew the gifted dead, will pro-
nounce this perfect.
Candor compells me to say of Mr.. Cald-
wells book, that the style is terse and
vigorous, the language chaste and beau
tiful, the sentences short and energetic,
its accuracy as to facts remarkable, and
as a whole richly deserving praise and
favor al the hands Of sll.
THIRD REGIMENT"