The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29
BOOK NOTICES.

LIpB or GEN. ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON
BY his son. VIM. Preston Johnston.
Our friend, Gen. Writ Adams. has con-
ferred upon us highly appreciated favor by
presenting copy OF this valuable and inter-
estng work.
1t has not often happened that the duty Of
writing tho biography Of 30 great man as
Albert Sidney Johnston has devolved upon q
son SO admirably adapted to perform the task
In the most graceful and satisfactory manner.
Col. VIM. Preston Johnston Is at present Pro-
lessor of English Literature at Washington
and Lee University, q position to which he
was called ut the Same time that Gen. Robert
Il. Lee was appointed president of that vener-
able Institution. A graduate OF Yale College,
Col. Johnston had achieved high distinction
for scholarship and literary taste previous to
the war; During tho war he served on the
staff and as one Of the secretaries OF President
Davis.
The Life OF Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston is
perhaps the most elaborate and finished book
relating to one OF the greatest OF the heroes OF
our civil war, and the events In which he
acted a prominent part, that has yet been
given to the public. Despite the filial love
and affection of the writer, this book Is entirely
free from the excessive eulogy and undls-
eliminating Partially and favoritism which
are 80 often blenishes OF biographies prepared
by relatives and loving friends 1t Is true that
tue severest and most exacting critic and BIZ
ographer would find great difficulty In dis
covering any incident In the eventtul life OF
Albert Sidney Johnston which could sugges t
unfavorable comment or criticism. Still,
where career of such uniform manliness,
virtue integrity, heroic bearing and well bal
anced judgment and consistency OF character
Is described with the simplicity, the clear
sense Of justice, and the moderation Of tone
aud phrase that characterize this book, it
cannot fall to crafty, instruct, and deeply
interest all American. and especially all
Southern, readers.
Herein, we have q true representative West.
ern hero and chevalier portrayed in vivid and
distinct colors, through long career OF adj
venturous military service. with cpisodical
sketches OF his private and domestic life. The
soldier and chieftain on the field OF battle, the
military organizer Of two revolutionary
armies, that OF Texas and OF the Confederacy (;
on the field OF honor, yielding to the demand OF
a custom condemned by his better judgment +;
ia the midst OF cabalS aud conspiracies incl
dent to the organization Of the army Of the
new republic OF Texas; as the commander OF
the first expedition across the plains to vindi-
cate the authority OF the republic over the
revolted territory OF Utah; as the organizer
of the Western army during our civil war,
and the undannted conqueror OF the most adj
verse circumstances aud unjust censure; and
finally, as the martyr to duty and patriotism,
leading the decisive assault against his long
triumphant foe In the forests and ravnes OF
Shiloh--in all these relations ana events Al
bert Sidney Johnston is most faithfully and
graphically described in this volume.
What is especially admirable In Col. john
ston's book is the fine tone and temper with
which he refers to and discusses certain con-
troverted questions, which have arisen, rela-
tive to Gen. Johnston's last compaign and
battle With great provocation to warmth and
even bitterness, he handles these questions
with tact and moderation, but with an unan-
swerable logic of facts and citations.
It would extend our sketch beyond the
space our crowded columns will afford to
refer to the many merits OF this most valua-
BILE contribution to our Southern literature,
the Appletons, of New York. We are graft
fed to learn that the admirable choice OF
Gen. Writ Adams as agent for the sale OF the
book In Mississippi and Louisiana has re-
suited in an unusually large sale. We hope
that it will be extended so as to secure a copy
for every family in these States and through
out the South.