The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-22
SOME NEW BOOKs.
Tho nis,ory Of The Army Of the cumscr,

Gen. George II. Thomas, will be published IN De-
center y Robert Clark n co. " Cinoinn IT, It
will consist of two volumes octave, Of ABOUT 40
pages each, and one volume Of most ex cl mt
plates and maps, prepared by Capt EDWARD
RrcrR. These volumes are dedicated 10 tho
surviving members Of the army whose achieve
ments thoy natrate." The following extract
from tie preface, which is a model Of brcvty,
explains the scope OF the work as well ~ the
authors warrant for undertaking II;
DURING a conversation with GEN George H.
Ihnmas at Nashville, Tenn, In tlIe summer II
1866, some remark was made relating TO the
achievements Of his army. when lie said to me.
" wish you to write a narrative history # the
Army OF the Cumberland Taking moment
for reflection, | replied that IT, upon trial. J
should meet his expectations, should he glad
to produce such work. He then said !" Writc
nothing but The truth. You viii cnntravenc re-
These short but comprehensive sentences con-
stitutod my Instructions, and taken IN cOnnec-
tion with the fact that the materials for the
work were mainly collected and supplied bv
Gen. Thomas. rave him A. close relation To IL
as was possible without direct authorship.
We have examined the advance d,sh Gets of the
first volume, and judge from them that the
completed work will constitute most accurate
and valuable contribution TO the history Of the
Great Rebellion. IL has evidently been pre-
y red with care, and in the fun and fair observ-
ance of Gen. Thomas's injunction to write
spared 10 studying the records. comparing ON
cial ports, aud gathering information from all
quarters cnd persons, however widely separated.
The author does not complain that the archives
of the War Department were not within reach.
nor that the materials they contain had not
been printed. While the story is entirely de-
void Of personality. and therefore somewhat
deficient In that sort Of interest this was In some
degree necessary, in order that the work
sh 'uld be confined within the limits prescribed
The narrative T. arranged In chronological order
AMI leads the reader step by step. without con-
fusion or fatigue, through the events OF which
1t treats. The style Is at first somewhat heavy
ana involved, as though the writer were out OF
his accustomed beat but II soon becomes nat e.
ural. simple, and strong, and IL from the very
beginning direct, clear, and logical. There "a
none Of that dashing fippancS about II so char
actcristic of Shermans Memoirs, but, on the
contrary, 1t Is calm. dignned, and dispt ssion-
ate-in keeping with the authors calling, and
with the modest virtues Of the great soldier at
whose instance the book was written. While II
lacks the flavor and personal feeling Of autobi-
orTaphy, 1t Is also free fIom slang and profane
anecdotes. IL deals rather with the events which
1t chronicles than with the individuality Of the
distinguished names which appear In its pages
The marches and battles are described in detail.
and accuracy; while the strategy and tactics of
the various combinations and engage ments are
explained with unusual clearness. and ALWAYS
without heat or prejudice. The various move
ments can he readily followed bv the AID OF the
atlas, and In this respect the work leaves no.
thing to bc desired.
We have already stated that this history deals
with events, not with men. though perhaps II
would he more accurate TO say that In dealing
with men II touches rather upon their deeds
than upon their pecuarities more upon mat
they did than upon what they said. The author
does not presume 20 admin ter praise or blame In
direct terms except occasionally to a corps or d.
vision which has done some remarkable service.
The readcrm therefore look elsewhn ere for Jul
some laudation as well az for unqualified cen
sure. In short, the volume before us IA written
throughout grayely, seriously, and conscien-
touslv. without undue partality in favor Of the
army Of which II treats and entirely without
malice or any species of unfaiIness toward the
rebel forces or generals.
The narrative opens with an account Of the
political events which took place In Kentucky
-tefore the outbreak Of actual hostities. and
describes with considerable detail the measures
adopted by the Union men to keep the State
from Joining In the rebellion. The measures
resorted 20 by the peace men to establish
v
which meant conditional rebellion. a. wen as
the more open efforts Of the secessionists 10
cont el the Commonwealth 20 follow the TX.
ample of south Carolina. are clearly hut con-
ciscly described. This IS interviewer with an az
count Of the organization of the fret Union
troops In Kentucky, ana Of the establish
ment Of the Department OF the Cumber-
land. under the command OF Gen. Rob.
ert Anderson, with Sherman a. second
in command, aud Thomas as one Of his
principal leutenants. shortly after the arrival
Of these officers IN Kentucky, regiments Of vol
unteers began to pour in from the region north
Of the Ohio; ana although the State was stimuli
taneousy threatened with invasion by the rebels
under Buckner, Zollicorer, and Albert Sidney
Johnston. and had to be held against them, the
national army for its defence began at once to
take shape and organization. Anderson was
Don compelled by bodily in1rmities to turn
over his command To Sherman, VINO was una
bic at that time TO bear the responsibility and
ceaseless worry OF his position, and was
therefore at his own request In turn relieved by
Gen. Buell. During these changes Thomas oc-
cupied an advanced position In the southeastern
part Of the state, aud seems to have been from
the start the only commander in that depart
mont who had definite ideas or contemplated az
gressve measures against the enemy. Tie bat
tio OF Nil sprlhi. fought by MIN on the iS;.,. 81
j tnuary lso2, was the urst success gained blythe
national forces IN that region, and although, 20
far AS the number Of KILLED and wounded is con
cerned, II was an insgniacant affair, yet owing to
the feet THAI gen. Zolhconer, the rebel leader,
was killed, and the rebel army compelled TO
fall back into Tennessee, il was hailed ~ great
national victory, ANA tended to inspire the coun-
Try and Government with confidence. Mean
while the organization of the army, first into
btigades numbered consecutiyey in single
series. md then into divisions numbered In the
same manner, progressed rapidly. Buell. from
the first showed himself To he military Pc
dant rather than great General, and while
IL appears from this narrative that he
wrote Haleck, then commanding at ST.
Louis, as early "a Jan. 3, 1852, suggesting
movement from Cairo NJ the Cumberland or
Tennessee, IL does not appear that any commu-
nication between him aud Grant In reference to
the same subject ever took place; neither does
it appear that Hallock ever made known to
Grant Buell's views upon this subject. Hence
Ia" credit for the movement which took place
early IN February, resulting In the capture of
Forts Henry and Donelson and large number
Of prisoners, aud compelling the evacuation II