The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
BOOK REVIEW AND
MAGAZINE NOTES

GENERAL LEE: HIS CAMPAIGNS ~
VIRGINIA. lssl-lSs5. by Walter II.
Taylor. Norfolk. Va Published by
thu Necsbaurn Book and News.
Colonel TAYLOR hiss dedicated his book
which IS o. exceptional value on account
no. only 81 MS ability as a writer. but
% the position he occupied during the
War between the States. rs adjutant-geu-
eral OF the Army OF Northern virginia
e. s A--;o the noble women OF the
South. whose sublime devotion 20 high
idesls, whose patient endurance o. untold
pvivnSion and suffering. whose self-sacrf-
hclng spirit and whose COURAGEOUS and
patriotic support OF tho men. INSIDE the
achievements possible"
The book begins with a bries review -
The events leading up 10 rre ~'sr. and ar
1ilusion 70 the efforts mste cv N--s--
FOR peace il passes on the s,.,se. -s-t
preparations or Tire state f,r 49,. 80
resignation OF Robert = Leze-cr-- sole
onel-frOm the United states Any. ans
his appointment as cc-1z a-5e- - go
Virginia troopS
HIS Confederate se-Vsce IS sc-,c ~ssss 20
West Virginia tnsnce &c 20 --eSs--r--,s
OF South Cs-oilu@s. Georgia SIS E1l-. ga
In this connection. ths rShc7s - Ho-t
Royal Sound. s O.. lr1 gre E-ea,
Charleston FIRE % 81. 49, described
Lees subsequent return 90 Virginia and
his belng made mfli,sry R6vtSr- 20 Frss-
idenr Davis is preliminary % an &C.
count or his succeeding General john
ston and his achievements during The
seven days battles around Richmond
HIS sdvancs after Jackson's defeat Of
Pope; General Stuart's raAd in Pope's
rcs-c; The tactics OF General Jackson at
Manassas. and the hnA defeat OF Pope
coma next
Then Lees invasion OF the state OF
MARYLAND and his lost order conveying
the intelligence OF his plans 20 Mcclellan.
the capture Of Harpers FERRY. the ha.-
tie % Sha-ps6urg. Lees withdrawal into
Virginia. and the battle OF Fredericls-
burg. II which General Burnside IS de-
feated. Afterward. the death of Major
Pelham ana a vivid picturing OF the
g7esr battle OF Charlottesville. the de-
Feat Of General Hooker, and the death
CT General Jackson
Then the story Of Lees second inva-
sion Of the North. and Of the battles at
Getty burg the return Of the Confed-
crate army 20 Virginia. the battle OF the
Wilderness. Of Spotsylvania Courthouse
and Cold Harbor. the death OF General
Stuart the siege OF Petersburg. the al
tack on Fort Stedman. the battle Of Five
Forks. the death Of General 4. p. Hui
the evacuation OF Petersburg and Rich
mond. Lees retreat. the surrender at
Appomsttox. and the psroiing Of the
Army OF Northern Virginia
Such IS the bare outline OF Colonel
TSylor's book. II Is impossible 70 over
the interest OF the personal
"reminiscences with which the book IS
hued-reniniscences which ara its life
and color.
Colonel Taylor writes thus % his first
meeting with General Lee. 7 was ~
breakfast az the Spotswood Hotel when
he entered the room. and was AZ once
attracted and greatly impressed by his
appearance. He was then at the zenith
OF his physical beauty. Admirably pro-
portiOoed. OF graceful and digrifed car
riage. with strikinEly handsome features 3
bright and penetrating eyes. his from
gray hair closely cut his face clearly
shaved except a mustache. he appeared
every inch "a soldier. and mar born To
command"
A series OF admirable maps. showing
the backgrounds around Richmond and
those which were the scenes Of other
important conflicts during the course Of
the war bet ween the States add a great
deal 10 p clearer comprehension u the
book descriptions. On pages L. IA. Col
onel Taylor gives IN full the substance
OF General Lees order Of march At tho
time OF HIS first invasion Of MARYLAND.
and dwells at length on the misfortune
occasioncd 81 a copy OF this order fall
ing into the hands Of General Mcclellan.
through the carelessness Of some one
Al the headquarters OF General u. II.
Hill. 70 whom the COPY was addressed:
What fatality was there for Generql
1ee.' says Major Taylor. What an
advantage 70 the FEDERAL commander. 70
h instantly made aware Of the division
of his adverssTy's army. the wide sepa-
ration OF his columns. and n have the
details Of his plan laid hare! There
IS no parallel 70 Il IN history A VIC
tory for the South ct that time meant
the recognition - foreign powers OF
the tndepend eTce =" u the Confe6erate
States. Victory that seemed assured for
General Lee tr~rnbled in the balance. and.
by this fortuituus incident. eluded his
grasp
Probably readers 81 Colonel TayIor's
hook Will understand from what ne tells
them better than ever before why the
battle OF sharpshurg has gone down in
the annals OF history as A drawn ngnr.
instead Of being decidedly "a triumph for
The South.
OF the gallant Pelham colonel Tay-
Tor quotes General Stuart when ne writes
regarding the boy soldier that Though
young IN years. a mere stripping in an-
pearence. remarkable for his genuine
Inodssty ~ department. ne yet disclosed
on the battlefield the conduct % q vet
eran. and displayed IN his handsome
person the most imqerturbabie cOolness
IN danger" Though 81 slender prvslquo.
he was gtfred with nerves OF steel the
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