New-York tribune., 1910-07-23

$50. The Sturgis K Walton Company
The title of Mr.. Eggleston's work is
not the result, merely. of the impera-
tive necessity of distinguishing it from
the long tale of histories of the War
for the Union or the Civil War or
the War Of Secession" already in
! existence. There is a more deliberate
purpose behind the choice Of this title.
! for. says the author:
! FamiliaTly. and by way of convenience.
! we are accustomed to call this The ClN1l
War; in contrad.stinction from those other
/ VARS in which the American power has
! been arraigned against that Of foreign ma
/ tons But the term Civil War, as thus
/ applied is neither accurate nor justly de-
ScriptiKe In all that is essential to dellnl-
tion this was a public and not a civil wal
and il is necessary to a just understand
ing of the struggle and its outcome 10
tira attitude and conduct OF the federal
government toward its antagonist must
be inexpcabie, inconsistent and wanting
in dignity. The southern States asserted
and undertook 10 MAINTAIN by a resoiute
appeal TO arms their right to an indepcn-
/ dent place among the nations OF the earth
IN the end they failed in that endeavor
But while the conflict lasted they so tar
maintained their contention as to win from
their adversary sufficient recognition of
| their attitude to serve all the purposes of
public rather than civil war. Not only did
I foreign powers recognize their right to
make war not as rebels. but as legitimate
belligerents, but the United States govern
ment made similar recognition of the
South's status.
Hence History of the Confederate
War" Mr.. Eggleston might have fol-
! lowed an unwritten custom of history
which combines the names of both bel
/ ligerents in emitting wars placing that
; III -
/ the Confederate Federal" or "Confed-
! erate-Union'' war. but no matter The
! title of his book is its least important
( part, even after this explanation of his
/ reason for the choice.
The book is, III effect. an excellent
popular account Of the military events
of the great struggle, preceded by a sue
cinct. clear exposition Of the causes that
! LED up 10 it, or contributed to the ire
pressible nature it assumed. from the
/ days Of the framing of the Constitution.
/ The political history of the period Of the
war itself is referred to so far as is
necessary, and so is the influence of
clamorous public opinion upon the con-
/ duct of operations: and always there is
.
! hearted determination To be impartial
TO give praise where praise is due. to
glory in the courage and resourceful-
ness OF North as well as South, to tell
the truth regardless of sectional lines.
Mr. Eggleston tells OF chapter In our
! history that is closed, never to be opened
again except in the spirit of the scien-
tific historian. Writing for a general
public, he. himself a Confederate ex-
soldier aims throughout at the elimina-
ton OF military technicalities, and sue
cee5s in giving the laymau an under
stanGa Die account OF the objects of the
strategy Of both sides in the war, and
OF tho tactics OF individual battles, with
out tangling him up in confusing details
of position and movements Of brigades
or regiments. In writing his history. he
has made use Of ali that enormous body