When Robert E. Lee passed on without setting pen to paper on his memoirs, both North and South alike were deprived of a classic personal history of the War Between the States worthy to sit on the shelf next to Ulysses S.Grant's Personal Memoirs. The Reverend J. William Jones, Lee's chaplain, compiled this collection of reminiscences in its place as a memorial volume commemorating his death. Filled with correspondence with President Andrew Johnson, General Grant, and C.S.A. Generals Scott, Beauregard, and Longstreet, and personal anecdotes from Lee's wartime contemporaries such as Jubal Early, Jeb Magruder, Jefferson Davis, and Winfield Scott. What comes to light is a personal portrait of Lee as family man, gentleman, scholar, and soldier, as well as an eyewitness account of the war that threatened to tear the United States asunder, as witnessed by the South's greatest military leader. The Reverend J. William Jones, D.D., was the chaplain of the Army of Northern Virginia under the command of General Robert E. Lee and after the Civil War served as chaplain for Washington College in Virginia under Lee's presidency. It was my proud privilege to have known General Lee intimately. I saw him on that day in April, 1861, on which he came to offer his stainless sword to the land that gave him birth. I followed his standard from Harper's Ferry, in 1861, to Appomattox Court-house, in 1865, coming into somewhat frequent contact with him, rejoicing with him at his long series of brilliant victories, and weeping with him when "compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. . . . " This first attempt at authorship is sent forth with a sincere desire that it may prove acceptable to the countless admirer of the great Confederate chieftain, that it may serve to give to all a higher appreciation of his noble character, and that it may prove a blessing to the young men of the country (more especially to those who "wore the gray"), by inducing them to study, in order that they may imitate, his shining virtues.

This memoir provides a first-hand account of the Civil War from the perspective of a Maryland soldier. It includes stories about battles, camaraderie among soldiers, and the impact of war on civilians, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of the conflict. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Cornelia Peake McDonald kept a diary during the Civil War (1861- 1865) at her husband's request, but some entries were written between the lines of printed books due to a shortage of paper and other entries were lost. In 1875, she assembled her scattered notes and records of the war period into a blank book to leave to her children. The diary entries describe civilian life in Winchester, Va., occupation by Confederate troops prior to the 1st Manassas, her husband's war experiences, the Valley campaigns and occupation of Winchester and her home by Union troops, the death of her baby girl, the family's "refugee life" in Lexington, reports of battles elsewhere, and news of family and friends in the army.