New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SOME RAIDS ON HISTORY.

ON THE WARPATH. by Major J. O. k"rbey: limo.
PIP 3O1. Chicago DOnOhue. Hennebcry & CO.
Major Kcrby's book is OStensihlv Journey
over the historic grounds of the late Civil War.
hut really it is free-and- easy discussion of a
number of points growing out Of or connected
with the war; and defence Of the authors pre-
vious positions together with the launching or
several literary bricks at the head OF the
writer's enemies. Nothing could he more defiant
ard unconventional than the veterans style. or
more independent of all rules. lie takes his
departure from Washington. the press secrets OF
which he hints al revealing Though he does not
disclose man. secrets. The most sensational VI
his statements refers to The discovery oil an or
ranized plan ~ secure The PAY ment by Congress
Of the Confederate cotton loan According "
Major Kcrtcy several Ncw-Iork capitalists and
an English syndicate are or were united IN urging
this measure in ali tho devious ways known 10
the lobby lie himself obtained his information
through a temporary engagement as private SEC
retary to q New-York capitalist. and nc acknowi-
edges conveying" important documents while 80
cmploXcd. He states that he made conHdan'
Of General Logan and that after L"snn's oe'th
the documentary evidence was deposited III INC
archives of the Grand Army, whence II may NC
drawn to support the fight against the a'lee'd
plotters when The time is ripe. IL Is ra'her c"Ii
ons that so far nobody TO whom me 1ac'S hh'e
been communicated appears TO have thouSh' tha'
the publication Of them would DO any sooo 'or
tho time being.
Major Kerhey makes fierce war upon the Pension
ONCE and upon the Dependent Pension biii. As
an old soldier who has refused TO claim pen
sion his remarks upon the subject are not With
out vpirht hut while he dcprcatfs iactionhi
feeling and shows the most liberal sentiments
whom spcaking Of the Confederate soldiers. II is
clear That he is strongly prcjudiced against 'hoSe
Northern men who enlisted late in the war; ana
who. he Declares havino seen little or no real
service have since been the most pro'n'e'o
seekers after pensions and places. and the moso
i,un,,cobe cncmlcs of the Southern veterans
Major Kcrhcv's remarks upon this theme nv 80
extremely plain and outspokcn that one """'"
think them calculated 10 cause some COMMUNION
in Grand Army circles. He furthermore 1I''ini"'''
,lat while serving during the war as a Military
telegraph OPERATOR and as q scout. Nv o'N""'
nosscsscd of information regarding some I'M
nor,on1 matters Which. if canaidly related w"nin
ncccssitatc The revision Of n good zeal WHICH
masses for history One Of the problems Sprul-
hy tLr Major j. TIA: "f the manner OF S'"le"al'
JacksoY', death. He brings forward c'hsid'i"""
testimony q! ~. ,dlrrc' character IN support W
Inc theory Thai iuc General was not shot as 'ff
accepted tr,dit.nH runs, ny his own men, -" 'N
Union troops. INTO whose range nc h'o I''''""'
This Is the l,,~i "t ms surprises. Tor he loo"S
nm hv vet other testimony the purport Of which
is that Stnncwa.l Jackson deliberately so"2"'
dca1b. and Nat ~. orders he gave his own
men ana his - -" icnt course. prac'!caN r'tlu''
his end suir,dil MAJOR kcrb"y appears 70 TANK
that this 81 rpu.r rev Of the cas- is widely ne"
., The Sonih ,ioi.h Southern veterans cannot n"
induced 70 tai: at II.
Tie dsc'Ir>,nn of The failures 70 storm 'he
Heights OF 81, Mary AT Fredericksburg ais' IN
tr,lrces some Lew ideas: one Of tfrS' hfnG 7" 'h'
effect HAT tn charge Of Humphreys DIVISION
would have - lens, been carr.el to NE Hfohc
wall hal Mt 'hc lie .eral troops, who occupied the
advanced 9r'rad. lying down. don" Their n'ih"S''
even ty u>u- p. ,ical force 20 hinder In" move
,nc0t Tie, Themselves were ont Of aninnii-
ton, AID ,.e theory is hint they believed any
further cl,i:.,,> would he mere wanton waste OF
lfr IInup.,cy'> ni-n cuI within eighty yards
@. the fatal vaN h'I whether sue. NOnnG troops,
clarcinC WA .i.loadei rifles. upon a 1uadrlpc
luc of lire. u' under amy cr"uni>it n'">, i'HN"
cared liz, pos non. Is q question which, might he
debated Indefinitely without cdlica,on. One
Characteristic, c\LlhfnI by the author Is crcl!iabr
70 him He always advocate, the claims 70
recognition and r,'wac,. Of those who. while III
cnrring m.i.:r;v r.>k> daring The W.T.. We're com
pl~trly j. .or.". Instance the ruiir'aI and bridge
builders who Tc,r employed I" repair and keep
o,cu rtrd> c>,,scd To- ~" cncn; Attacks, ais"
tie rn..."e.i>. signal corps. military telegraph
oicra.Cl> ,.i.. iu were -! uc'i amy rank or
standing. Concern ~ rhe operators lac tells SOME
c.I.orS r.'lcs alj !IO:cutrr appears tp prove Mat
tie military cp."r l.! use drrIr1 tuc Wi WIS not
SO clos. scorr; ~ l. WAS ten supp Sed "a be.
Anot-r o, N.,,r KrI!rys h.s;orca. RAIDS Is
upon ~" TRADITION OF P.ckrttS t,nOIs charge at
Gcttysburo l":r II" lives SJItiern criticism
lar-ely. and mn Of il !, very free. not 10 say
raspln. t'.r genera! diff being Tat PIcketts
column is not emitted 10 Tie credit 1t has received
thar Plok"','s were below the average Of Com
Tolerate ". that nearly all the Northern
counts If lie ha'.- rclain great dead Of nctl"n
especially thar al Tie descriptions Of dcsperat"
fighting in -" " j., ,riv Angle" are mere moon
shine. AMI. tasty. hat P.chc;ts charge i'll
seESc iiny";',:' or critical seeing that the
battle had 1,' 81" been decided, but tina. II was
the Mayor pats Il. simply grand display Of
fireworks wIndiI. mp the performance. What
their originality a,.d boldics, must be conceded,
and il must asa l,. admitted that the Major never
presents even thc s'rtnStst hypothesis without
some i'~,> plausible evidence Ia support
il. His literary sly is not smooth hnt abrupt
and somewl.a, snappy; bit nothing lr clearer
all the unc"lnpromisinG fiankness Of a Glance
who has 10 consequences 10 tear from indis-
cTctons.