Just in case you don't approve of my battle summaries and if, in any case, you want to get beyond the usual stuff the books feed you, then read the reports of the major commanders of these battles and form your own opinion. However, don't forget that these reports are political documents, that is, they are often not objective because the authors either had some failing of their own to hide, or they were trying to avoid unduly offending someone, be it a subordinate or a superior. Nevertheless, these reports are still one of the best sources of an accurate picture of what actually happened, at least for anyone skilled at reading between the lines. Practice this skill as you work through these reports, or anything else you read for that matter, as it's quite useful for approaching the truth. If you want to dig deeper still and read the complete reports or, better still, the revealing reports of the lower level commanders, then browse through source of these reports - the Civil War CD-ROM of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (published by Guild Press/Oliver Computing), or visit eHistory.com. This will put you almost on an equal footing with the professional scholars.

PREFACE (excerpt)

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Page ix

With the main purpose in its origin of interesting veterans in their own memories and of instructing the generation which has grown up since the War for the Union, the "Century War Series," through peculiar circumstances, has exerted an influence in bringing about a better understanding between the soldiers who were opposed in that conflict. This influence, of which substantial evidence has been given, North and South, lends additional historical interest to the present work. Many commanders and subordinates have here contributed to the history of the heroic deeds of which they were a part. General Grant, who, in accord with the well-known purpose of President Lincoln, began at Appomattox the work of reconciliation, contributed to the War Series four papers on his greatest campaigns, and these are here included. They were written before his severe illness, and became the foundation of his "Personal Memoirs." The narrative of his battles, continued under the tragic circumstances o the last year of his life, retrieved his fortunes and added a new laurel to his fame. The good temper and the unpartisan character of his articles, and of the papers by the leading writers on both sides, are the most significant signs in these pages. For the most part, each side has confined controversy to its own ranks, and both have emphasized the benefit as well as the glory of the issue. Coincident with the progress of the series during the past three years, may be noted a marked increase in the number of fraternal meetings between Union and Confederate veterans, enforcing the conviction that the conviction that the nation is restored in spirit as in fact, and that each side is contributing its share to the new heritage of manhood and peace.

On the 17th of July, 1883, Mr. Buel, Assistant-Editor of "The Century" magazine, proposed in detail a magazine series by prominent generals of

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both sides. The original suggestion (based upon the success of two articles from different points of view on the John Brown raid, in "The Century" for that month) was of eight or ten articles on the decisive of the war, and included in the main the features of the expanded series. Mr. R. W. Gilder, the Editor-in-Chief, at once cordially adopted the suggestion, committing the charge of its execution to Mr. Johnson, the Associate-Editor, assisted by Mr. Buel; from the start to Mr. Johnson, the Associate-Editor, assisted by Mr. Buel; from the start Mr. Gilder has aided the work by his counsel, and by the support of his confidence in its success and public usefulness-ends which could not have been attained except for the liberal and continued support of Roswell Smith, Esq., President of The Century Co. The elaboration of the first plan, the securing of the contributions, and the shaping and editing of the series were shared by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Buel, the former devoting the more time to the work during the months of organization, and the latter having entire charge of the editing for nearly the whole of the second year. The course of the series in magazine from was from November, 1884, to November, 1887.

That the plan and the time of the enterprise were alike fortunate, may be estimated from the unprecedented success of the articles. Within six months from the appearance of the first battle paper, the circulation of "The Century" advanced from 127,000 to 225,000 copies, or to a reading audience estimated at two millions. A part of this was the natural growth of the periodical. The still further increase of the popular monthly issue during the first year of the serial publication of Messrs. Nicolay and Hay's Life of Lincoln (1886-87) has proved the permanent character of the interest in important contributions to the history of the Civil War.

The present work is a natural sequence of the magazine series, and was provided for before the publication of the first paper. Both the series and this expansion of it in book form are, in idea as well as in execution, an outgrowth of the methods and convictions belonging to the editorial habit of "The Century" magazine. The chief motive has been strict fairness to the testimony of both sides, and the chief endeavors have been to prove every important statement by the "Official Records" and other trustworthy documents, and to spare no pains in the interest of elucidation and accuracy. These ends could not have been attained without the cordial cooperation as writers, and assistance as interested actors, of the soldiers of both sides; in these respects the aid rendered by veterans, from the highest rank to the lowest, has been unstinted, and would be deserving of particular mention if such were possible within the bounds of an ordinary preface. Nearly every writer in the work, and very many others whose names do not appear, have been willing sources of suggestion and information. Special aid has been receive from General James B. Fry, from the late Colonel Robert N. Scott, who was the editorial head of the "War Records" office, and from his successor, Colonel H. M. Lazelle; and thanks are due to General Adam Badeau, George E. Pond, Colonel John P. Nicholson, Colonel G. C. Kniffin, and to General Marcus J. Wright, Agent of the War Department for the Collection of Confederate Records.

*****.

THE EDITORS.
NEW YORK, November, 1887.