COMMENTS ON CURRENT LITERATURE.
Among recent publications by the Neale Publishing Company, of Washington and New York, are three books which commend themselves especially as of interest to the Confederate element of our country. "Morgan's Cavalry" as written by Gen. Basil Duke has been republished and issued in attractive form. No commendation is needed for this well-known book which has been long out of print. It was the preferred history of Mrs. Morgan. No one else could be so capable of writing the story of Morgan's Command as General Duke, for he entered the command as soon as Morgan organized his Lexington company, and before the end of the first year he had married General Morgan's sister. Upon the death of Morgan, in 1864, Duke was made brigadier general. Bound in cloth, illustrated. Price, $2.
The "Recollections of a Lifetime," by John Goode of Virginia, takes in some momentous years of history-making in our country, stretching from 1829 to date. Lawyer, soldier, statesman, his life has been a long, varied, and useful one, and many incidents set forth will add materially to the history of the country.
"Almost a classic," is the verdict of Bishop O. P. Fitzgerald, of Nashville, Tenn., concerning Col. John Goode's "Recollections of a Lifetime," of which he says further:
"It is a book that has given me entertainment and profit. It is a rather curious mixture as a literary performance. Classic allusion and quotation, with plantation dialect running together; personal incident and racy anecdotes intermingled with lofty oratory and the sharpest and wisest political criticism and prophesy; transparent honesty and kindliness, with unmistakable worship of old ideals and adhesion to prejudices that have had a long lease of life and still refuse to die—the times and the men thus seen and described by John Goode in his own way make a book that possesses a real historical value and comes very near being a classic. It is saturated with notions of the old school, and is full of Old Virginia as it was before and during the war. John Goode, of Virginia, is good company for anybody who relishes virility, veracity, and vivacity." Cloth-bound. Price, $2.
"Confederate Operations in Canada and New York," by Capt. John W. Headley, gives his varied career as a Confederate soldier and reveals some very sensational history connected with the attempt to invade the North, extending from Morgan's raid into Ohio, Beall's operations on the coast, the St. Albans raid, and many other things in connection with this phase of the war not so well known as the regular operations of the army, and necessarily will arouse greater interest. Bound in gray cloth, gold lettering, illustrated. Price, $2.
"Recollections of Thirteen Presidents," recently from the press of Doubleday, Page & Company, New York, is by John S. Wise, of Virginia, who gives in a most interesting style his recollections of twelve Presidents of the United States that he has known personally and of the Hon. Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. Of these prominent characters of the last half century he says: "Every one of them possessed individuality, strength of character, commanding personality, and dominating force."
Though presenting especially the different characteristics of the men who have been at the head of our government, giving incidents of his personal acquaintance with them, incidentally many other prominent characters are introduced and some personal history given which adds much interest to the narrative.
Bound in blue cloth and illustrated with pictures of the Presidents from Tyler to Roosevelt. Price, $2.50.
"The Immortal Six Hundred."
By the publication of his history of the "Immortal Six Hundred," Maj. J. Ogden Murray had a twofold object in view—first, to preserve the record of this gallant band of Confederate soldiers; and, secondly, to give to the world a true history of wanton cruelty inflicted upon prisoners by the United States government. In addition to the attainment of his object, a valuable contribution to Southern history has been made. Major Murray was one of the six hundred heroic, faithful officers, and describes well their sufferings and privations.
Among the many testimonials to the value of this work, the two following are given as showing its estimation by leading Confederates.
Gen. Stephen D. Lee, Columbus, Miss.: "I have carefully read 'The Immortal Six Hundred'; and although it is not pleasant to recall what you have so faithfully recounted, yet it is history and should be truthfully recorded. The matter of the treatment of prisoners during the war is a sore subject on both sides. The victors usually write history and color it, and it is just that the vanquished should also present its side, so that future historians can get at the facts. I consider your contribution worthy to be placed among Confederate histories."
Hon. John W. Daniel, United States Senator from Virginia: "'The Immortal Six Hundred,' by J. Ogden Murray, is a worthy and true account of the six hundred Confederate officers who were held as hostages and exposed to the fire of their own friends in the siege of Charleston, S. C. The story is one of heroic suffering and strength of character, and they deserve the name Major Murray, their comrade and cosufferer, has given them in his entertaining book, a page of the war that shows the world the stuff our men were made of. Major Murray deserves the thanks of his comrades for preserving the record."
The book is neatly bound in gray cloth, gold stamp, 20 photo illustrations. Price, $1.50, or with the Veteran one year $2.
PORTRAIT OF GEN. ROBERT EDWARD Lee.
Capt. C. W. Booth, President of the Society of the Army and Navy of the Confederate States: "I have received a framed artist proof of your most excellent engraving of Gen. Robert E. Lee, to be presented with your compliments to the Maryland Line Confederate Soldiers' Home at Pikesville, Md. On behalf of the management and of the old soldiers who are closing out their days under the shelter of this institution, I convey their sincere thanks for your thoughtful kindness. By all true lovers of their country, men who are proud of one of the greatest of its sons, the possession of this admirable likeness of Lee will be prized as a most valuable contribution to history; to the old Confederate it will carry him to the days when in rags he followed him in battle, through danger and privations, through glory and success, and even when the last sad day came shed but a tear when their great captain said the word to cease the struggle, with the unshaken conviction that if 'Marse Robert' said so 'it was all right.' Most heartily do I thank you."
