Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent unused condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> Authenticity is stamped on each paragraph. The historical evidence is that of an eye-witness. First as Adjutant of ?Jeb? Stuart’s command and then as chief engineer and a member of the staff at cavalry headquarters Blackford observed from his commander’s side nearly all the operations of the mounted troops from June 1861 to the end of January 1864. He had Stuart’s full confidence and he probably knew more of what prompted the moves of the “Beau Sabreur? than did any other staff officer who ever wrote of Stuart except H. B. McClellan and John Esten Cooke. In some respects Blackford was a closer witness than either of these men. McClellan an invaluable historical authority did not join the staff until April 1863. Cooke was a professional writer whose sketches of Stuart in Wearing of the Gray are the accepted full-length literary portrait but Cooke’s duties as inspector frequently kept him away from headquarters when events of interest were occurring. Besides Colonel Blackford loved the life of a soldier. Cooke did not and in his diary said so with complete and characteristic honesty. If then a reader wishes a sympathetic and intelligent close-up of Stuart and the interesting young men around him here it is in Blackford’s memoirs. Regret will be felt of course that Blackford was not with Stuart at Yellow Tavern when Lee’s most renowned cavalryman fought his last battle. Compensation for this is offered by the transfer of Blackford to most important service as second in command of the First Virginia Engineer troops.