Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-06-14
JEFFERSON DAVIS, BOOK.

upon Cne new DOCK, "fSise
andsFansof the Confederate Government"
2 jefferson Davis, published by D. Apple,
ton 4 Co, New York, the Baltimore Gazette
says
MI. Davis book must be counted the most
Important contribution to the history of the
war which has yet been written on the
Southern side. 1t is careful, elaborate and,
"a far as no can make a book SO, dispassion-
ais. His judgments are warped sometimes
by his feelings, but he is never consciously
Prejudiced. His manly courage and frank.
ness, never called seriously in question, are
here emphatically shown in the aggressive
character of his defense Of Southern princi,
Pics. He denies that tho arbitrament of the
sword settled anything. He maintains the
holy nature of tho cause for which the
Southern people fought aud he defends SO.
%oession, not. only as a right, but as the cor.
ner-stono of tho only possible constitutional
Union. Mr.. Davis says that the election of
DIR. Lincoln, made the ground for secession,
could have been prevented but for Stephen
4. Douglas: Both Bell aad Breckenridge
sgreed to withdraw in favor of a third candi-
date if Douglas would, but he refused, say
ing that his friends, if he Withdrew, would
vote for Lincoln. Mr.. Davis makes a char
aoteristically warm and manly defense of
his friend, Albert Sidney Johnston. Whom
the senators and representatives from Ten
nessse demanded formally his removal, Mr..
Davis refused to comply, saying : 'If Sgd
ney Johnston is not a general, the Confed-
eraey has none to give you" He is severe
upon Gen. Beauregard, who, he says, lost
nearly as much at Shiloh as Sydney John
ston had won, in hating the battle when it
had just become n victory. He says that he
did not want to DO made President of the
Confederacy and was surprised when he
heard the news, for he thought he had taken
sufficient measures to prevent it. He wanted,
In fact, to command in the fsld-to be gem
eralissime of the forces of Mississippi. In
speaking of his cabinet and its composition,
MI. Davis upsets some of the pEetensioDs of
Mr. Toombs, and it is evident that there is
no love lost between these two gentlom.
hr. Davis is harsh in his disparagement
of Gen. Joseph-E. Johnston. BE blanes
this officer pointedly for many mistakes in
the war on the Confederate side, notably the
failure to pursue after the first battle of Ma
nassas, which would have resulted in the
capture of Washington, he thinks. and tho
dispersion eff Mr. Lincoln : government; he
blames him for the capture of Yicksburg and
OF Atlanta, and foS surrendering after Apo.
mattox, in spite of explicit orders to the con-
trary. En- reUdnchc, Gen. Johnston blames
Dir. Davis for the fall of the Confcderacy.
Bar. Davis has written a very interesting
book and a worry complete narrative of the
rise and fall of the Confcderacy and his con,
neetion with is. The authors position in
relation to those events, his sincerity and his
ability, will combine TO attract attention to
the work.
Tho Floral Decoration at Stonewall Gene
terry, Winchester, on Monday of last week,
was very largely attended. Tho procession
was composed of the Hagerstown, Harrison.
burg, Woodstock, Front Royal and Win>
chester military companies, and the Wins
chester Fire Department, with music by the
ShepherdstoWn and other bands, and was
narshaled by Col. R. Il. Duluney, M,i
R.W. Hunter, Col. L. T. Moore and Col
r. P. Chew. The transfer of the beau.
tiful granite B~arcophagus from the La
dies Ashby Monument Association to tho
keeping of the StOnewall Cemetery Assooia-
tisn, which was the distinguishing feature
of the day, was made CATER prayer by the
Rev. j. b.. Avirett) by E. P. cambridge,
Esq, in a brief but eloquent address, and
received, in fitting remarks, by Judge Jos.
h. SheErArd, the services closing with tho
bsnedistion by the Rev. DR.. a. NJ. White.
The memorial stone placed over the res
mains of the Ashby Brothers is of granite.
with base. two sub>baso pieces, and die atone,
che forme of polished granite, and the lat,
Ger richly carved and ornamented with pil.
~lasters, having corresponding caps worked
into the cap stone, which crowns the whole.
Tho Inscription reads: ''Gsncral Turner
Ashby, died in battle juno 6, 1862" and
Captain Richard Ashby, died July 3,
1861" and "The Ashby Brothers," Be.
meath the latter inscription are cmblematie
designs, one being the Masonic insignia and
the other two swords crossed. Around the
cap-stono is inscribed Erected by tho
ladies of Winchester juno g., 1881"
The law establishing a State Board of
Health went into effect on Wednesday. The
following named gentlemen have been ap-
pointed, and will constitute the board:
First Congressional District-Dr. J.. E.
Reeves, Ohio county, six years, and DR..
George B. Mofftt, Wood county, two years.
Second Congressional District-Dr. Geo.
ii. Carpenter, Hampshire county, two years;
and DIR. 9. 7. Richardson. Jefferson county.