The Grenada sentinel., 1897-05-15
WAR "REMINISCENCES
OF Capt. Jas. Dinkins A New and Splen-
did Book.

and memoirs published regarding the
late war between the States, and some
of the brightest and most patriotic
minds in this Southern country have
contributed pages portraying the ''sto-
ry Of the glory Of the men who wore
the grey" Without detracting one
iota from any ether volume, we would
call attention to publication just
from the press, and which bears on its
title-page, 1851 to 1s65-Personal
Recoliections and Experiences in the
Confederate Army, by an Old John
ME-" The book is dedicated ITO the
memory of the gallant spirits who fell
in defense Of the Lost Cause, to their
surviving comrades, and to their wives
and daughters" Its autkor is Capt.
James Dinkins, a native of Canton,
Miss, but now Of Jackson, Tenn, as
gallant soldier, us brave patriot
and as true a friend as ever lived. IN
his preface the author disclaims any
attempt at rhetorical or literary effect,
but ''endeavors to give his observa.
tions and experiences in plain and sim
pie language and to avoid any and
every expression that might wound or
offend, and In no instance to violate
the laws of truth" Notwithstanding
the authors frst disclaimer, he is at
times truly eloquent, and his sentences
are connected according to the best
rules Of English grammar.
We have read Capt. Dinkins' book
from cover to cover, and shall read it
again, for it is deeply interesting, and
well worth second reading. 1t by no
means pretends to be history of the
war,--it is simply graphic account Of
the stirring scenes he personally wit
messed, but as he was in the army dur
ing the entire four years, with the
cavalry as we'll as the infantry, IL con-
tains thrilling accounts Of many of the
most important battles, camps, march
es, trials, hardships and sufferings
which marked that stormy period.
The names Of weIl-known Mississippi
plans he mentions, OF towns and villa.
ges, scenes and Incidents, right at our
very doors, make it doubly interesting
to the people Of this section, and we
predict for it remarkable sale when
once its contents become known.
It is not our purpose to review Capt.
Dinkins' book, though we should like
to do So But We cannot refrain from
referring to the valor and heroism
with which he clothes the Mississippi
troops. OF Gen. Barksdale and his
brigade he is particularly eulogistic.
Their conduct at Fredericksburg he
compares to Pickett's famous charge,
but says it ''required more courage,
more manhood, and more heroism to
face the situation which Barksdale
and his Mississippians faced at Freder-
lcksburg than to follow the charge at
Gettysburg General Forrest is an
other OF his heroes, but the authors
facile pen does not confne itself to
shoulder straps and gold lace, for often
he goes into the ranks and drags the
private soldier from obscurity and pla-
ces him on the highest pinnacle Of
glory. OF our own peerless Walthall
Capt. Dinkins prints his picture and
says
"Walthall's men displayed great
courage, as did also their commander.
Walthall WAS an inspiration.
He was courtly and brave, and his tall,
handsome form, splendid bearing and
fine, intelligent face will never be
forgotten by the men of that army
His deeds will forever shed luster on
the Confederate army and upon the
people. He never failed to
accomplish what be was ordered to do.
or in what he undertook on his own re-
sponsibility. He was the highest type
Of an American soldier and gentleman,
and is to-day the ideal representative
Of the South in the United States
Senate"
But we advise our readers to buy the
book and read for themselves. Our
word for it, there will be no disap-
pointment, for every page abounds
with interest, and there ia not a dry
line in it. The binding Is handsome,
the engravings fine, and the printing
is in the best style Of the art, coming
from the Robert Clarke Company,
Cincinnati. 1t should be in the hands
Of every Mississippian, and especially
every Confederate and child Of a Con-
federate. The price of the volume is
81 SO. 1t will be for sale in Grenada
In short time.
The Westfield (Ind. News prints the
following in regard to an old resident
Of that place: Frank McAvoy, for
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