Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-03-18
Civil War History of the Famous
"Laure1 Brigade"

AS source OF inspiration, the valu,
of the Homeric legend is b,yond con.
putation The story of Alexande
carrying with him in all his journeying'
his beautiful copy Of the Iliad, max
ing 1t his daily companion III camp anC
palace, is but typical OF the larger
truth that the heroism OF later Greece
found its Helcon OF lnspirai'on in
Homers uEdylug song.
Doubtless our American Had will be-
the story of our great Civil War. Itf
sacrifice, its heroism, its romance, Its
far reaching Importance. in all likeli
hood will never be surpassed. Its heroes
will be the heroes of the land, North
and South, for all time to come.
While Many histories OF this great
conflict have been attempted, its his
tory yet remains unwritten. Book
that have purported TO be histories
have been nothing more than historic
documents which will be used by the
future historian in successfully writing
the story OF our great internecine strug
gle. From this point OF view. any
work. however unpretentious, which
contributes to better understanding
of the great war draMa and its actors
is of permanent value.
Such a book is the History Of the
Laurel Brigade by the late Captain
Vim. N. Mcdonald who was ORD
nance Of1lcer of the organ zation.
A well printed volume of 300 pages,
ii IS valuable contribution to the lit
erature of the Civil War. 1t is more
than brigade history, in that it gives
IL most ineligible idea of the great
service rendered by the Cavalry of the
Army Of Northern Virginia.
II does ample justice to The memory
of the gallant Ashby as we'll as to
Stuart ard Hampton. 1t is replete
with deeds of daring and romantic ad-
venture. The capture OF New Greek,
(Keyser), the night raid into Cumber-
land that resulted in the capture Of two
Federal generals, Hampton's cattle
raid and IL any other stirring incidents
make stories of thrilling interest which
Captain Mcdonald has written with
skilful pen.
Mr.. fushro g. Washington, who
edited Capt. McDonald's manuscript,
says in his editorial preface. 1.-The Ia
Dor OF Captain Mcdonald in accun-
llating the data and writing this his
tory, extended through the ten years /
rrevious to his lamented death Oh the /
It'll of January, 1898. And some idea
Of the amount aud difficulty of the labor
undertaken may be gathered frcm his
own WORDS, below quoted, from cllcu-
ar letter sent to survivors Ct the brig
Ide, ia his quest for information: 'TEis
york was entered upon with the set
led determination Of making it an
lutht nt;c memorial OF those who cCm-
,osed the Laurel Brigade, but with
title expectation that the story of the
chlevements OF the command would
quail lts measure of fame. The facts
necessary to make up the record are
ifflcult to procure. The Official Re-
orts rarely give details, and after
'eb. LIST, 1864, few If any brigade or
egimental reports are to be found.
rom that tine, to the end, there was
1ch giving and taking of blows
1ch a struggle for the means of cub
stence, that little time WIS left fol-
erical work. There is therefore a
up Of more than year full OF stirring :
vents, with small record Of even the -,
sneral actions of the brigade. !
This gap, however, thanks to the
ldustry of the anthor has been filled
liough sitting mass CT correspor q.
ice from survivors of the Brigade.
his history would have been lost had
not Eeen gathered by Captain Nc. i
onald and preserved in the history Of -
e Laulel Brigade. 1