ANNALS OF THE WAR

Written by

LEADING PARTICIPANTS

NORTH AND SOUTH

Originally published in the PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY TIMES

The “Annals of War” series was the creation of Alexander K. McClure, Philadelphia newspaperman and Republican politician who had been a staunch supporter of Lincoln and the war effort.  Appalled by the overly partisan and heedlessly imperfect histories of the war published thus far, McClure determined to gather accounts from both Northern and Southern participants in order that future historians would have primary material with which to work.

In 1877, McClure launched the Philadelphia Weekly Times, an eight-page Saturday edition with subscriptions built around contributions from Union and Confederate veterans.  This series, one of the earliest post-war collections, was highly successful.  Two years after the series began, McClure selected 56 of the best articles and published the 800-page “Annals of the War”.

This series spanned the entire spectrum of the Civil War.  Readers will find several important Gettysburg-related articles, especially those by Confederates trying to assess why they lost the battle.  Subordinates of Stonewall Jackson recalled the great Southern chieftain.  Other officers wrote about their relations with General Ulysses S. Grant.  There are several great battle accounts, among them Shiloh, Beverly Ford, Charleston, Cedar Creek, and Atlanta.

Civilians also contributed their reminiscences. Judge Robert Ould commented on prisoner exchanges, while Gideon Welles wrote about the USS Monitor.  Other accounts deal with the Old Capitol Prison, life in Vicksburg during the siege, and the capture of Jefferson Davis in May 1865.  Taken together, the “Annals of War” provide a fascinating first-hand glimpse of our nation's Civil War.

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This 1996 edition hardback book, printed in the United States, is in excellent condition throughout and appears to be unread.  There are only minimal signs of wear to the dustjacket in the form of minor bumps to the edges and corners (see photograph) and all pages are present, tightly bound, and free from tears, creases, and marks.  The book runs to an impressive 839 pages (22.5cm x 14.5cm) and includes a comprehensive index.  A must for anyone interested in, or studying, the American Civil War.