The Opelousas courier., 1886-10-09

From the Washington Post, Aug. l, H6.
Messls. j. M. Stoddart g. Co, publishers
of Washington, Philadelphia, and New York
announce the appearance OF new work
which must attract great attention from all
persons who are interested in the events per-
tanning to the history of the great war.
'"The Memoirs of Robert e. Lee" have been
in preparation for long time, but not until
this fall have they taken such definite shape
as to be ready for announcement. The book
is complete and full history of the military
career and campaigns of Gen. Lee, written by
Gen. Armistead L. Long, a graduate of West
Point, who was for four years in intimate as
soeiation with Gen. Lee, member of his
staff and for some time his confidential mill
tary secretary Gen. Long took very full
notes during all the operations and cam
paigns, from which he has written clear,
authentic, accurate military history. The
/ work has received the full consent and ap-
proval of the surviving members of Gen.
Lees family, Gen. Custis Lee, in a personal
letter, testifying to the fitness of Gen. Long
Lees family have conveyed important inform
alton, private letters, ETC., which add greatly
to its value.
: A part of the book will be devoted to the
personal, domestic and social history of Gen
Lee, and will include large and highly val.
liable store of information never before pub
lished This portion of the book will be
chiefly the work of Gen. Marcus j. Wright. q
distinguished officer of the Confederate ser
vice, and now the agent of the Government
for the collection of Confederate records
Gen. Wright's wide acquaintance with the
civil and military history of the Confederacy
will be of great service Many most interest
ing sketches, anecdotes and incidents have
been placed in the possession of the authors
by intimate personal friends, distinguished
officers. public men, who were associated will
Gen. Lee during almost every year of his life
1oa doG ind lar
an accurate copy of the most important mill
tary reports Of Gen. Lee on his great cam
paigns together with a very complete state
meDt of the forces comprising the Confeder
ate armies ut the most important epochs,
The illustrations will comprise portrait'
never before published, reproduction of tht
recumbent statue erected over the tomb o
Gen. Lee at Lexington, and the necessary
diagrams, maps, etc., describing battles ant
movements of troops.
At the suggestion of the authors the pub
fishers have decided to make donation fo
the benefit of the Confederate Soldiers Hom'
at Richmond. In this they follow the lead o
Gen. Grant, whose sincere interest in th
welfare of this institution was shown in con
tri6nting to it his cordial, hearty sympath.
and substantial pecuniary donation. Tn
home has beer assisted to the extent Of thou
sands of dollars by the Grand Army of tn
Republic of the North. and it was an eminent
} ly proper thing that these two Confederat
, officers should themselves testify their inter
est and sympathy by contributing share Q
the proceeds of the sales of the book. Thi
idea has been received with favor by the ger
3 tlemen in charge of the institution, and Ger
f Fitzhugh Lee. Governor of Virginia, ha
, formally acce pied and approved the suggei
tion. The plan of the book has been submit
8 ted for the inspection of great number {
5 leading Southern gentlemen, oil OF whol
a have cordially Endorsed and testified owe
= their signatures to the value Of the work 9
J. the present time. The Governors of nun
Der Of Southern States have gwen their aI
e proval and have recommended it to the pc.
: pie of their respective States. The book wi
be published in one voinnie, about seven hui
dred pages printed and bound in the bel
style, and will be ready for delivery in I'll
Q early fall. Messrs Stoddart & Co., have alt
4 made arrangements for its publication in III
gland, Germany and France. Such q woi
as this at the present time, written by me
3 who have full authority and experience
l. speak, will have great weight in decldir
;. MANY disputed questions which are subjec
i, of controversy, and will be an invaluable a
ffition to the literature of the great struggl
J, concerning the events of which every Amer
) can citizen, both North aud South, is al
!. should be thoroughly interested.
just at the present. time there are mai
points concerning the Civil War which a
q under discussion by eminent men both Nor
and South. Each party insists on telling
n story from his own point of view. The co
troversy over the battle of Gettysburg, I
pecially the position taken by one OF t
corps of the Federal army, is an instance
point where the testimony of Gen. Long, W
a himself was an eye witness and carried t
order from the command of the Confedera
forces directing the movements of the trool
ID will be of great weight and service in arrivi
at the truth of the whole question. The bo
"a is sold by subscription only.
A descriptive circular giving full details
the book will be sent on application.
ID MEssRs. j. M. STODDART u CO.,
Publishers