her with
guns strangely hushed. An expectant silence pervaded the air. Every
heart was anxiously awaiting the result of the conference in the
historic farm-house.

"When at last the news of the surrender flashed along the lines,
deafening cheers rose and fell for more than half an hour, over the
victorious Union army. Other than this, there was no undue triumphal
display of the victors over the conquered foe.... The shout of joy which
was sent up that day from Appomattox Court House echoed through the
entire North. Cannons boomed forth their iron paeans of victory; the glad
clash of bells was heard ringing 'peace and freedom in,' and bonfires
flamed high their attestation of the unbounded delight everywhere
exhibited. The day of jubilee seemed to have come, and rejoicing was the
order of the hour. The storm of war which had rocked the country for
four long years, was now rolling away, and the sunlight of peace fell
athwart the national horizon. The country for which Washington fought
and Warren fell was once more safe from treason's hands, and liberty was
again the heritage of the people."

The Northern and Western press, as heretofore, again bore its flattering
testimony to our author's diligence, truthfulness and loyalty to his
colors; and to the surprising facility with which a soldier could
sheathe his sword and wield a pen, charming alike the veteran by his
details of valor, and the mother, wife and sister by his stories of
pathos from the battle-field.

The following is from the Philadelphia _North American_:

"'Battles for the Union.'--Thoroughly representative of the courage
and ability shown on either side in the great struggle that lasted
from the close of 1860 to April, 1865. It is not the purpose of the
author to present a standard and critical work like the works of
Jomini, Napier and Allison; nor to include a discussion of
political questions. His aim is rather to furnish a vivid and
correct account of the principal battles in such simple and
intelligible terms that every reader may gain a precise idea of
each. His style is rather graphic and vigorous than ornate. He
introduces effective details and personal episodes. His facts are
gleaned from a variety of sources as well as from personal
knowledge; and though proud of his own cause and of his companions,
he does not belittle their renown by decrying the valor or the
intelligence o