Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-18
COL. WILLIAM ALLAN.
HIS BOOK, 1.-THE AMY OF NORTH
ERN VIRGINIA IN 1862"
A superb Contribution to Southern War
History-Eettcr from Rev. D. "hha"
Jones with Respect to L.
To he Edikor Of q.s Dtpatchi

To he Editor of ne Dtspdtchi
l am sure that I will do kindness 10
many of our old soldiers and TO all lovers
of the truth Of history by calling atten,
tion to this really superb book. Just issued
from the Riverside Press Of Houghton'
Aiifiin & Co.
Colonel William Allan was my college,
mate at the University Of Virginia, where
he took the degree of Master of Arts WIN
high distinction. He was my comrade IN
the old "Stonewall" corps Of the Army
Of Northern Virginia, where be won high
distinction as one Of the ablest ono
most efficient of that bright galaxy Oh
young officers whom "Stonewell JACK
son had on his personal staff. lie was my
intimate, personal friend when he was one
of General Lees professors at Washington
and Lee University and afterwards superin-
tendeut Of the famous McDonogh School,
near Baltimore. / speak, therefore. from
full knowledge when | say that william
Allan was one of the ablest military
writers we ever had that his books on
"Jackson's Valley Campaign and on
"Chancellorsville" are the most valuable
contributions TO a true history OF those
campaigns that have been published; tnat
his frequent contributions 10 the Southern
Historical Sociqy Papers aad other maga-
zines showed him TO be one OF the
most pains-taking, accurate, and yalua-
BILE of all our military critics, and that
his present book. his last literary
work before he crossed over the
river" to join his great commander
on the other side, is the most valuable OF
all his historical works. IL treats OF most
interesting period of the history OF the
Army Of Northern Virginia. WITH brieI
but very clear statement of the situation
In the winter of 1861 and McClellan's plans
for the campaign of 1862, he tells the STORY
Of the siege of Yorktown. the Peninsula
campaign, McClellan's advance to the
Chickahominy, and the battle OF Seven
Pines C. FAIR Osks.")
Clearly outlining the effect of Jackson's
Valley campaign, he gives the history, OF
the Army of Northern Virginia az, under
the command of the peerless Lee latter
General Johnston was wounded at seven
Pines), it won seven days battles around
Richmond, defeated Pope's advance az
Cedar Run, won the splendid victory at
Second Manassas and drove the Federal
army into the fortihcatlOns around WASH,
ington, crossed the Potomac. captured
Harpers Ferry with II 500 prisoners, $4,000
stand of arms, 70 pieces Of artillery and
immense quantities Of stores OF every de-
scriptlOn, fought the battle Of Shsrpsburg
(Antletam) against overwhelming num-
bers. and crowned the campaign by the
brilliant victory at Fredericksburg. Col
ouel Allan had thoroughly studied the oth-
cial reports and whatever else had been
written on both sides, and this. added
TO his personal knowledge of these
campaigns, IN which he was an
active participant and no unimportant
factor. has enabled him 10 produce q book
fair, impartial, and strictly accurate, while
u Is as interesting as u romance. John y.
Ropes, ESD, of Boston, himself an able
and very lair military writer and critic,
thus concludes an admirable introduction
TO the book: 1T is, therefore. not with
out reason that We welcome this book.
Written as 1t Is by an officer whose oppor-
tuuities of observation were so eH-
tensiYe, whose capacity for military
criticism has been 80 long attested and
admired. and whose impartiality has re-
ceyod such abundant recognition. we can
not doubt that this narrative of the opera,
tions in Virginia during the year 1852 Will
be cordially re oeived "a an important and
permanent addition 10 the best histories
Of the civil war; The publishers have
done their part in the very best style OF
the hook-maker's art, and the paper, type,
binding, maps, &c, are ell that could be
desired.
Inc 1rOntl3plece Is u Spehhiub lhtuoNS
Of our old friend. which / warmly prize
and shall carefully preserve.
! need scarcely add the hope that tho
book will have wide CIRCULATION North
as well as South, and find its way into tho
Libraries and homes Of our people gener-
ally. Certainly no library which pretends
10 historic fulness con afford TO be with
ont II. ] am indebted for an advance copy
10 Mrs. Elizabeth Preston Allan, herself
an accomplished writer. with whom 1t has
been indeed "a labor Of love " TO have pub
li.hed the manuscript, left by her gallant,
gifted. and noble husband. And cannot
close this imperfect but heartfelt notice
If an every way admirable book
without recording my profound sense OF
the loss we have sustained in the fact that
Colonel Allan did not live TO fulfil his pur-
nose of writing the full history of the
Army of Northern Virginia. and, on the
other hand. my highest qualification that
he was spared to complete 50 large a part
of it.
William Allan faithfully served the
land he loved so welln IN war and IN
peace. and though dead he yet speaketh"
in these noble indications of the name
and fame Of that grand old army of which
he was so conspicuous a member ana
whose history he loved with more than
filial devotion. j. WILLIAM JONES.
Atlanta. Ga.