The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17

week thrOw-or attempt to
throw-new light on some
phases of the Civil War. 1t does
not at all detract from their interest
that they are from strongly Confederate
sources. Long ago both North and
South came TO the point of admitting
that there were at least two sides to
the tremendous question that was de-
bated with rife and cannon all the
bloody way from Sumter to Appomat-
toN, and now, whether they agree or
not, the descendants and successors Of
the parties disputant welcome acces-
.siOns. however partisan. to the vast
literature Of vast subject.
Both these publications touch the
great conflict on the naval side. The
First Ironclad Naval Enga agement in
the World" is history guised as per-
sonal reminiscence. It is a souvenir
brochure, by Captain E. V. White, who
was an assistant engineer in the Mer-
Timac in charge Of the gundeck, gong
and speaking tubes He tells Of the
famous battle in Hampton Roads on
March and 9, 1852, between the Con-
federate ironclad Merrimac and
Ericsson's Monitor as he saw it, and
also quotes from other eyewitnesses
and gives extracts from the newspapers
OF the day
The author insists, contrary to the
ETEersl verdict of history. that the
1Lerrimac was the victor in the cele-
brated fight with the Monitor He
quotes at great length the impressions
Of an eyewitness from Fortress Mon
roe and says that though written in
thrilling words It is not in accordance
with the actual facts, is mis-
written history, and no facts justif,
such statements; they have misled our
country"
The commander Of the Gassanidi, a
French man-of-war, witnessed the COM
bat and made report to his govern
Inent and this report, Captain White
says, should alone set at rest forever
the oft-repeated assertion that the
Monitor defeated the Merrimac.
Captain White also says that the
Merrimac was the vessel which sug-
Eested the central idea OF the modern
bsttleship. out Of the burnt Merri-
mac" he says was created the iron
clad NirginiaAa ship that not only
fought q great historic battle, but
wrought a revolution in the construc-
ton OF warships throughout the world
and supplied, practically, the model
upon which the ironclads Of all nations
are built"
The paper is written wholly without
snimosity, but with very natural de-
sire TO place the facts Of that great
an always interested public.
The pamphlet is illustrated with
scenes and portraits and is well printed.
CSherman & Bryan, New York;
The Life and Services of John New
land Mafltt" written by his widow
FsEua Martin Maf1tt, who was also his
ny wife, is really a good sea story,
albeit the subject of this appreciation
spent many Of the later years Of his
life safely moored upon a farm near
enough TO the water to bring comfort
TO a man Of the sea 1t is a valuable
naval record, for 1t gives in technical
detail the results OF voyages of all
sorts and, lastly. it is the story of a
man Of pride. strength of character
and patriotism. who did his duty as
be understood it.
Born at sea. Of Irish parentage,
reared IN the South. midshipman at
13 ia the United States navy, he re-
signed his trust in 1851 TO enter the
service Of the Confederacy. He served
on land and sea until the end OF the
war, commanded a British merchant
ship from 1865 to 1867, and then
bought farm in North Carolina,
where he died in 1885. No matter how
one may feel about Mafhtt's resigna-
ton from the Stars and Stru es for the
Stars and Bars, the work he did for
the men about him engaged in the
Confederate strife makes an intensely
interesting human-interest story. JEFF
ferson Davis said that he was a man
who always did more than was fairly
60 be expected Of him. When Admiral
Dewey met Mrs. Mafitt at a reception
sn washington in 1904 he spoke of
her husband as John Maffltt, my dear
friend, the elite OF the navy, the brav-
est OF the brave.
CNeale Publishing Company, New
York. Price $50