Of all those who served with Robert E. Lee in the headquarters of the Army of Northern Virginia; no one was as close to him as Walter Taylor. Twenty-two years old when hostilities broke out; Taylor served at Lee's side virtually without interruption during the entire Civil War. The only officer who could lay claim to such a distinction; Taylor served first as aide-de-camp and subsequently as assistant adjutant general of the Army of Northern Virginia. Taylor traveled with Lee; ate at his mess; shielded him from a flood of administrative concerns; and on occasion delivered his battlefield orders. Taylor's personal correspondence; written without reserve as he enjoyed an unparalleled opportunity to observe Lee and his inner circle; constitutes a unique addition to the Civil War record. The 110 letters compiled in Lee's Adjutant shed light on day-to-day life at Lee's headquarters and on the general himself. Written to Taylor's fiancée and family; the recount the Army of Northern Virginia's early triumphs; invasions of the North; defeat at Gettysburg; and final surrender. To these revealing letters; R. Lockwood Tower adds a biographical sketch of the young adjutant that describes his role in helping Lee organize the Army of Virginia and-as an officer who lived to see the fiftieth anniversary of the war's end-in shaping Confederate memory.
#237620 in Books 2012-03-08 2012-03-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.28 x 6.05l; 1.45 #File Name: 1566639719448 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Right to Keep Bear Arms is what made America free and prosperous.By Robert G. Heinritz; Jr.I've been a follower of history; civil-rights; and the U.S. Constitution for many years. Steve Halbrook is among the top 10 scholars of our generation. All his books are worth reading; and keeping around for reference.An independent America was the last thing most Colonists wanted in 1770. The English subjects of the New World during this time were the freest; most prosperous people in the world; more so than most Englishmen in their mother-country; Great Britain. This was based in part on the freedoms they valued as Englishmen; their right to pursue any trade or endeavor they chose; and benefit from their own efforts. They were proud to be Englishmen; and valued their rights as defined in the English Bill of Rights of 1689. Few would have ever wanted to sever their relationship with their Mother Country. The Seven Years War (1754-1763) - Americans commonly call it the “French Indian War†- opened up the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys to English settlements. There were issues between the British Crown and English Colonies regarding how to fund; govern; and protect the new frontier to the west. Most of the issues could have been negotiated and resolved peacefully. But the intransigence of the Crown; and a series of arrogant and oppressive rulings by the King and Parliament against the New World colonies; exacerbated the dispute. The Founders of the United States - some liberal; some conservative - attempted to reason with George III (1738-1820); King of Great Britain. They learned their Sovereign would not tolerate ideas; concepts; or evidence that differed from their King’s royal decrees and beliefs. King George was “offended†with his subjects effrontery in the New World; and sent General Thomas Gauge with an army of 3;000 armed troops to Boston to do exactly what the British did in Ireland and other British colonies; disarm all subjects; take control of commerce and trade; expropriate property; censor contrary publications; and enslave the population. “Slavery†was the word the Founders used. They were serious. These were learned men who were by and large well-schooled in history; politics; philosophy; and economics. They studied carefully which governments seemed to work; and why others failed. They knew throughout history that disarming the population was the first step to slavery. American settlers of the English Colonies saw themselves as “liberal;†and believed King George and the British Parliament were trampling on their rights as Englishmen. Efforts by the First and Second Continental Congress to peacefully resolve the conflict were summarily rejected by King George. It wasn’t until April 18; 1775; when General Gauge; under orders from the King; sent 700 armed British Regulars - with reinforcements ultimately 1;700 British troops - to Trenton and Concord to confiscate arms of the Colonists; that a shooting-war began.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent bookBy james coyneExcellent book; providing the historical background for the creation of the 2nd Amendment. The book delves into the events thinking of not only the times and people in the Revolutionary War era but also looks at the phenomenology of reason behind early English law and popular thinking. This is all the basis of how our early American ancestors looked at the world; and helps us understand why firearm proficiency ownership was so vital. Both in terms of helping secure the states and the country as a whole but also for personal security. After reading the book it's clear that our Founding Fathers intended the citizens of this country to have the right to bear arms. They couldn't imagine all that implies in the modern world; but that is somewhat beside the point of the book and of their way of thinking. We have the right to bear arms; per their desire. It is up to us; as law-abiding and sane citizens; to live up to that responsibility. It's a heavy ideal; but one that this country's forefathers fought to secure; just as they fought to secure all of our rights.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great account of the intent of the founders regarding the 2nd amendmentBy kyackerCarefully researched volume with assertions and conclusions validated with facts; references and historical accounts. By quoting out of context; an author can make any assertion he wants; there is none of that in this in depth account of the lives and statements of the founders of our nation. Very broad coverage; many historical characters in the writing of state constitutions and the conventions at a national level who are not commonly covered in the history we traditionally read are credited here.
