The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-07-27

VERMONT IN THE WARTIME OLD
FIRST BRIGADE IN THE SHENAN-
poAH VALLEY.
We alluded the other day to an UNI
published volume of the Record of Yer
mont in the late war, existing at pres
ent in manuscript, but which we trusted
would before long be put in print. We
rejoice now in the prospect of n speedy
fulfilmcnt of our hope. The contribu-
ton TO the history of our State in the
war covers one of the most eventful and
glorious periods of her record. 1t =
not the work of an uneducated and I'M
practiced writer, like one or two of the
crude and for the most part vauelcs,
journals of army experience which have
been published in book form in this
State; nor compilation of miscellanc-
Gus material thrown togethcrby a sold
Ter and resident of another state, like
the volume recently published by Lieu
tenant Waite. lis author is native
Nermonter and was a Vermont soldier,
holding responsible command. 1t is
the History of the old First Brigade in
the Shenandoah Valley and under
Sheridan in 1864. Its author is Lieu
Aldace F.. Walker, of the Eleventh Vt
Col. Walker is q gentleman of liberal
education, who took his degree from
Middlebury College, in his uniform if
we recollect Alright in 1867, and marched
at once with his company for the war.
He commanded his regiment at tho
battle of Opequan,-Sheridan's first
battle on his own hook and distin-
guishcd himself there and elsewhere
| by cool and gallant conduct. He was
an eyewitness of the scenes he graphi-
cally describes; and when we remem-
! Der that the six months covered by his
narration included the memorable bat
ties of Opequan, Fishers Hill, and Ce-
dar Creek, of glorious memory for Ver-
mont, no further comment will be need
ed to arouse of Nermonters. We I'M
derstand that the book will be hand
somely printed and illustrated with cuts
and maps, and we are confident that it
will form volume which ought to be in
every library and on every parlor table
/ i'm NermOnt.-Free Press.
From personal knowledge Of the au-
thor We are prepared to endorse, most
emphatically, all that the Free Prees has
said in the above. Col Walker was the
acknowledge leader of his class in College,
took high stand as a writer at an early
day, and in his Senior year, carried of
the prize for the best philosophical essay
He enlisted just before graduation and
departed soon after for the seat of war as
lst Lieut. in the llth Regiment. He
served with the regiment until its mustered
out, and came home its Lieut. Colonel
During his service he was several times
complimcnled and breyetted for gallantry
after leaving the army he went to New
York, studied and entered upon the prac-
ticc Of law where he still remains. Hi,
fine literary abilities which began to be
manifest before his graduation from our
College, give AN ample assurance of the
literary, quality Of the forthcoming vol
ume His distinguished galantry and
clear head upon the field of battle, hi,
quick apprehension of details and hi,
patience Of elaboration, are sufficient
guarantees, in advance, of the complete.
ness and correctness of the work.
1t will undoubtedly have that endur.
ing merit which, unlike the ephemeral
war literature of the day, will cause it to
be placed in its appropriate niche, among
the standard works of the ninteenth cen.
fury. We shall watch for its appearance
with deep interest.