The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-09

Johnny Reb and Billy Yank', by Alex
ander Hunter. Published by the Neale
Publishing company.
While we have been well-nigh surfeited
with books of all descriptions of the war
here is one with a title that arouses the
interest of the reader before even the
contents or the author is known The
author. Alexander Hunter, saw as mnch
and as dangerous service as any man IN
the Confederate army. He served two
years as a foot soldier in the famous
Piekett's division and two years in the
celebrated Black Horse cavalry. He tells
ia his own way OF the hardships and
battles of the matchless infantry of Lee s
army and the thrilling adventures of the
Black horsemen.
Writing of his diary in the preface the
author says:
Il was so fortunate as to save most
% my notes made during the four years
o conflict, and in 1865, having no fixed
pursuit in life, I spec. most of the time
n arranging and writing up these Incl
dents of camp life while fresh in my
memory. - A private in the ranks,
who has learned something of the art
of war through tough experience in two
branches of the service. should be able
TO write understandingly of that in
ternecine conflict which rocked America
like an earthquake. At least he can at
ford to tell the truth as to what he saw
heard and thought without fear or favor.
In those days Johnny Reb' and Billy
Yank were good company when off duty.
They had a profound respect for each
other, and as Bulwer says 1T is aston
ishing how much we like a man after
fighting him.
The volume is a large one but every
page of the 700 is full of interest and the
author early strikes sympathetic chord
in telling how he, a tender stripping of 16,
cold, wet and hungry was sheltered in
the brawny arms of his six-foot comrade.
Mr. Hunter is a brilliant and trained
writer, man of culture and intellectual
attachments. He comes of a family of
warriors. statesmen and writer's who have
been prominent in the affairs of Vir-
ginia since its early settlement.
Italian Letters of Diplomats Wife"
Published by Charles Scribner's Sons.
We read in the prepatory note that in
December, 1879, M. William Henry Wad-
dington resigned the Premiership of
France, and the following month, accom-
panied by his wife, left Paris for
WlIltI u rest anu IttItdllpH lldiSs
chiefly In Rome. The letters of Mary
King Waddngton to her mother and sis
ter. which constitute Part T. of this
volume. describe this journey and resi-
dence. Those of Part II describe a SIM
liar journey some twenty years later. The
two series together compose picture of
life and society in the Italian capital
with a wide range of contrast and COM
parson. Madame Waddington wrote
lone of Moscow
In the well-known Letters of a Diplo-
mats Wife"
The political prominence of Madame
Waddington gave her of course an easy
entrance into all the exclusive homes in
Italy and her intimate and confidential
relation of her experiences there forms
not only instructive but most delightful
reading The subtle and pervading hui
mour of the author is disclosed in the
following:
"Our friends and compartiot, Mrs. k,
was also there; very dressy and very
foolish. She was glad to me. was
sure 1 was enjoying the change and rest