Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States #225566

When I engaged in this undertaking, many of my military comrades, capable and willing to contribute their aid to the fulfilment of my design, were living; whose minute knowledge of various scenes, all of which they saw, in some of which they led, would have rendered it peculiarly interesting and valuable. After postponing, as is common to man, what for various reasons ought not to have been delayed, I have expe rienced in mv progress abundant cause for self-re proach; since in many instances, I have been deprived of this important assistance, which no effort or appli cation has been able fully to supply. Discouraged by this privation, I should, though reluctantly, have rece ded from my purpose, had not the injurious couse quences of my dilatoriness been repaired in a measure by the animated and friendly exertions of the few sur vivors among my martial companions. To these indi viduals I owe a heavy debt of personal gratitude; and should the following sheets be deemed worthy of ge neral approbation, to their ready and unwearied assist ance, more than to the author's care and diligence, may be justly ascribed the pleasing result. I have, nevertheless, been compelled to abridge considerably my first design; not having been able to obtain the documents necessary to its full accomplishment.