etrate the plans and purposes of the Confederate leaders, or
even to describe with entire accuracy the part borne by the Confederate
troops in particular engagements.

As time goes on, the deficiency is being met, and the memoirs of those
Confederate soldiers and civilians who bore a prominent part in the
struggle, either in the field or the council chamber, and who had a full
knowledge of the facts, are fast coming to light, and are perused with
more than common interest by military actors and students. The true and
exhaustive history of the civil war cannot be written until all the
facts shall have been made known. Even then, the reader must always bear
in mind who states the facts, and also that the truth is oftener found
in the memoir of some gallant and straightforward soldier than in that
of a politician.

Of the myriad of bound volumes and pamphlets called forth by the war, a
very large number have long since been consigned to oblivion. Many of
these were written to bolster up personal ambitions, interests,
rivalries and jealousies, while as many more were composed, without
regard to facts, to gain dollars and cents. Of none of these productions
need anything further be said.

Comparatively speaking, there were but few books relating to the war and
published during the war that deserve to be recalled. After the war,
quite a number were issued, and, within the last ten years, a large
number have appeared, all destined to rank as "authorities" for the
future historian. The purpose of the present series of articles is, to
give such information in regard to these publications, as shall guide
students in mapping out a course of reading, and shall assist persons
entrusted with the selection of _standard books_ on war history for
use in city and town libraries.

The suggestions and information herein offered are, at their best, only
random notes. No special plan, or classification, will be followed by
the writer; his sole aim being to include only what is absolutely worthy
and "authoritative."

THE AMERICAN CONFLICT:--A History of the Great Rebellion in the United
States of America, 1860-64: Its Causes, Incidents, and Results. Intended
to exhibit especially its Moral and Political Phases, with the Drift and
Progress of American opinion respecting Human Slavery, from 1776 to the
close of the War for the Union. By Horace Greeley. Illustrated, 2
volumes. pp. 648, 679. Hartford: O.D. Case and Company.