The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-28

1'
SOM NuW DOOkA
TIE OAsasaAeah valley n lOoA.
n b not surprising that we should be In.
dsbted 70 civilian authors for tho most credit
able contributions to the serios Of monographs
pnbilshed By the Messrs. Scribnsr under the
name Of " Campaigns Of the Civil War;" There
arc obvious reasons why those who have taken
~ active part In military operations should not
b expected to describe them with judicial
0ooerness and mprehensivcness. and with
literary effectiveness. As actors and eyewit-
indispensable. but here stop. a. . rule their
qualifications for tho ofico OF history. There
vsre s0mo famous exceptions in ancient
dimes. whom mon might combine. far more
frequently than they can now. judicial.
legislative. and military experience: but
xsnophon and Cesar have had NO modern
counterparts. II an approach to the blending
Of gifts essentially diverse could 10 reasonably
looked for anywhere. II would be In the volun-
teer armies. which. during our civil war. drew
not few Of their recruits from tho bar. the
rostrum. and tho professional chair. There are
accordingly two or three volumes In this series.
which. although psnned by men who were
part Of what they saw. satisfy In commend
able degree the specific conditions Of historical
writing. This was notably tho case with Con.
Palfrey's book on Tho Antietam and Freder-
icksburg." But It must be said OF the majority
Of tho companion studies undertaken by
military critics. that. however serviccable
they may prove TO the future historian.
regarded as digests OF perishabe mate
rial they fail to fulnl prime requisite Of
narrative composition. Accurate they may be.
but they are not vivid; they arc not readable. In
trisf but dull % the official reports from which
they are complied. Now. we feel quite sure
that the aim OF the publishers OF this series
was not purely philanthropic. They meant
that these volumes should not only serve as
books OF reference for the patient and inquir-
lag student. but should be perused with in
tsrest by the general reader. From the latter
point Of Wow. It ls matter OF regret that moro
u these useful monographs wore not executed
with che literary skill which distinguished the
account Of Tho Army Under Pope" By Mr..
John G. Ropes. and which is equally conspicu-
Gus In the latest series The Shenandoah VALLEY
N 1854. by Mr.. George Il. POND.
In one respect indeed. Mr.. Ponds narrative
Will be found even more Ineligible and attrac-
live for the mass OF readers than was Mr..
Ropes's book. 1t evinces an equal amount Of
industry and experiences in the accum mutation.
winnowing. and balancing of evidence: It IL
equally free from sectional animosity. or the
prejndices Infused by military associations
and personal sympathies; 1t exhibits. per-
haps. the Same power Of ide-embracing and
penetrating vision the Same happy faculty OF
summing up In a sentence ora phrase the es-
sontlal significance and true lesson OF an event.
But the narrator OF the events which invested
the Shenandoah Valley In the year 1864 with
such lively interest has recognized more fully
L.. A.. IL mi
the imperative necessity OF typographical
slucidation II campaigns are to be understood
ct all by the civilian reader-and certainly the
object Of this series was to render them intel
ligible-he must be enabled to keep steadily
and distinctly In view all the difficulties and
peculiarities Of tho ground which gave direc-
ton to military movements. and often con-
trolled their result. For such Indispensable
Illumination 1t will not suffice to enumernte
geographical details: their import and bear
ing must be impressed upon the mind with the
art OF the landscape painter. OF the requisite
pictorial presentation Of the physical facilities
or obstacles encountered BY tho strategist. Mr..
Ponds book is the first adequate example In
tho series Of which 1t forms part. The utility
OF such information 10 nowhere lost sight OF by
the author. but We would especially direct At
tsntion to the Introductory pages OF his
benefit conferred on the ordinary reader by
minute and vivid Photographed description.
We have there set before our eyes with rare lu-
sidlty and nice distribution OF emphasis all
those DEMONSTRATION derived from nature
OF superpossd Dy mans activity-which i'm
parted supreme strategic importance to the
Shenandoah Valley. with relation both to tho
Federal capital and tho scene OF Grants opera
lions In the valley OF the James By the help
that Mr.. Pond has given him. any intelligent
person can follow tho actual vicissitudes and
discern the ultimate consequences Of the cam
paigns OF Early and Sheridan with q distinct
moss which clothes the narrative with an excep.
tional degree Of instruction and Of charm.
OF the cautious and impartial judgment on
the conduct and result Of military operations.
In respect Of which this writer reaches the
Same high level as was attained by Mr. Ropes
our readers will DO glad to see some notewor-
Thy examples. Thus. Of the battle of Newman
ket. It ID pointed out that Sigels defeat cannot
be pallistsd by the assumption Of Q marked
disparity In tho forces engaged. yet Mr.. Bond
u careful to add that the Federal commander
spared no personal exsrtions to redeem the
day. that he speedily rallied his troops. and de-
clarod himself ready for renewed forward
movement. and that the plan recommended to
his successor Hunter BY Grant. had been pro-
posed BY Sigel. Again. while the author Of this
narrative studiously refrains from describing
Hunters Lynchburg campaign % sbortive. and
u even willing to pronounce 1t essentially sue.
oessful In respect OF innicting great injury upon
tho enemy. he docs not conceal his opinion that
equal advantages might have been gained and
some subsequent loss averted BY different OBJ
js0tlve-by movement In other words. toward
Charlottesville and Gordonsville. Before leav-
Ina this part Of his theme he observes. with q
touch Of dry irony. that Hunters so-called suo-
eoss eliminated the defensive factor from the
vslev more effectually than Sigel's failure. and.
- matter OF fact. invited Ksrly's advance on
Washington. which. by the hopes 1t rskindlsd
On both sides Of the Atlantic. helped to sustain
the Confederate cause for another year.
The position taken by Mr.. Pond regarding
sAother vexed question will further exempliiy
the temperate and Trustworthy character Of his
decisions. Could Gen. Early have taken Wash
ington on July II and IL OF the year 1864. but
Tor IN ill-tmed collapse OF the energy and au-