The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-25
THE LITERARY WORLD.
WEEKLY CHAT REGARDING WRIT.
Frs and hooks.
Brief Chances at Several Recent PubIica-
tions--"A Perfectly Candid aud Judi
cial Book on tho War;"

This is one Of the books which belongs
In the library Of war as a science. Our
great war between the States, In the
early years Of the seventh decade Of this
century. has been as prolific of mscel-
laneous books as Cadmus handful OF
dragons teeth was of autoch.honic fight
ers. AS the years go on and the interest
in details becomes less, this great brood
Of books will be thinned out and only a
few will remain. like the five survivors
whom Cadmus utilized to build his city
Even I'm the very best "reminiscences, the
old soldier writing many years after
wards, is apt to remember things which
never took place, while in those books
which are mere campaign documents or
partisan tracts the proportions OF error
are even greater A perfectly candid and
judicial book on the war makes n distinct
addition to the science OF loslstics. Such
"a volume we think we have in the late
William Adams narrative OF "The Army
of Northern Virginia in 1872" With the
great military critic. Mr. John c. Ropes,
we feel that it is a matter for sincere
congratulstion that this contribution 10
property OF the American public. Colonel
Adams rare gifts. and his abilities as a
military critic. were Of an unusually
high order. His opportunities for obscrv-
ing the events OF which he treats were
also exceptionally good. Almost from the
beginning Of the war he was attached
10 the headquarters Of Lieuten2nt-Gea-
eral Jackson, and in January. 1883, was
made chief OF ordnance Of the second
corps Of the Confederate army in Vir-
ginia. IL would. indeed, be difficult 20
name any other position I'm the Coufeder-
ate army which could give an officer a
more varied experience or famillarlze
him with more important and decisive
actions Added 90 this, he had sound
judgment on military matters, a cool and
clear head and a tenacious memory, while
every page OF his book shows a love Of
truth that is as rare as It is beautiful.
Unfortunately death carried off this able
writer before he had completed his work,
which was nothing less than the entire
history Of the army Of Northern Viz
GINA This third volume from his pm.
however though distinct In Itself from |
his two previous books, treats OF the |
movements IN the year 1862. His last |
work on earth was 10 finish the closing |
chapter. In reading over the narrative, |
tail Of the authors knowledge, for he |
mas not only read but has pondered |
The statements of writer's on both sides
II Mason's and Dixon's lire, balancing |
Zach statement with the other, ana re
luently using his own trained judgment |
10 decide between conflicting statements.
His praise OF the valor and fine Qualities
# the Northern troops is unstlnted but
never fulsome: while. on the other hanu
ne does not hesitate TO express ms adVl- |
alton Of the Confederate troops wherever |
hey truly deserve It, Those who wish
10 get as near 10 the actual facts as pos
;ible will enjoy the strong grasp or facts |
and the calm, judicial style OF the writer. |
In technical equipment the book is all |
hat could be desired. There is por-
RAFT Of the author, showing face that Is
,inqlIarly strong In those features which
express judgment, deliberation, energy,
cnacity and power OF analysis. The In
reduction by Mr.. Ropes teens Win I'M
)ortant and necessary information. Inc
ubiact Is well laid out in chapters OF
,rorer length which DO not severely
train the readers attention; the subject
# the battle of Sharpsburg. for example
,efng treated In no fewer than six chap
ors while that of Fredericksburg, which /
, a model Of condensed and luminous
escription. has six also. The military
1aps are a remarkable feature ot lhis
ool. They have been drawn from sur
evs and hrst-class authorities. and are
.onderfully clear; and while full u de-
an. the important points are cal5ht by
1e eve at once. The printing ana color
ir hav. boen remarkably well zone,
nd there is a good index. Take u all
, all we know Of no more conseisntlp Is
~ thorough work in the great library
: boots ON thu late war. We trust that
r. Auor's example VIII be followed by
,ora Confederate officers. in order that
ZENITH, material of IA, fret order nay
ccumulate and Ike healthy wheat N :
ocd soil XIII or the abundant crop OF
.,,,,c.sssrv and undesirable products.