The first edition of this pamphlet appeared a short time before
the publication of the Official Records relating to Gettysburg.
Consequently many things of importance to the subject treated were
unknown to the writer. Such facts as he possessed of his own knowledge
or could gather from his comrades and other sources, together with
a lot of statistics secured from the War Department, were published
and with gratifying results. Very many of the statements then made
and which were not open to successful contradiction were so much at
variance with the general belief that the brochure attracted wide
attention, especially among old soldiers. From Tacoma on the Pacific
slope and Augusta, Maine, from Chicago and New Orleans, came assurances
of interest and appreciation. In fact there are very few States from
which there have not come expressions either of surprise that the
slander should ever have originated or of sympathy with the effort to
right a great wrong.
That the two thousand copies formerly issued should have been disposed
of two years ago and that there is still a demand for the pamphlet, is
deemed sufficient reason for this edition. And the recent publication
in New York of a history repeating the old falsehoods emphasizes the
need of keeping the facts before the public.
It would be a matter of regret should any statement in these pages
wound the sensibilities of any personal friends of the author, still in
such an event he would be measurably consoled by the reflection that
here as in most matters it is best to “hew to the line and let the
chips fall as they may.”
Scotland Neck, N. C., April, 1900.