A Memoir of the Last Year of the War for Independence in the Confederate States of America

by Jubal Anderson Early, Gary W. Gallagher (Introduction)

The first veteran's memoir to be published on either side, following the end of the Civil War

Jubal Anderson Early (1816–1894) ranked among the most important generals who fought with Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. A brigade and corps commander, he played principal roles at the battles of First Manassas, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and most of the other engagements in the Eastern Theater during the first three years of the Civil War. In 1864 Early commanded an army in the Shenandoah Valley, winning several victories and menacing Washington before suffering ignominious defeat in a series of battles against Phillip H. Sheridan's Union forces. Early's long and active postwar career was marked by writings devoted to redeeming the South's reputation from the stain of military defeat. Encouraged by Lee and others who wanted the Confederate version to be on record as soon as possible, Early quickly completed a personal account of the last year of the war.

Originally released in 1866, Early's is the first reminiscence published by a major Civil War figure on either side. A creator of the Lost Cause myth that exalted Lee and his Virginia army above those of other states, Early anticipated arguments that later Lost Cause writers would make regarding Lee's and Grant's generalships, the reasons for Confederate defeat, and the conduct of Union forces in Southern states. Containing elements of both battlefield narrative and apologia for his actions and those of other Virginians, Early's brief memoir helped shape the ways in which white southerners wrote about and understood the Confederacy. In a new introduction to this edition, Gary W. Gallagher explicates Early's military career and examines the general's postwar career as a Confederate apologist.

Genres: American Civil War

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1866

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fascinating read, but to be perfectly blunt, it read like a serious of battlefield reports, which at times was incredibly tedious to even read.

[David Carraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first hand perspective of Gen. Early's operations during his Valley campaign. One big obstacle that was reoccurring throughout the campaign, and indeed the war, was the means of communication. Imagine how different things would have been if they had had even a two-way radio. It could have potentially changed the outcome of so many battles.

My only familiarization with Lt. Col. Pendleton prior to reading this book was from the movie Gods and Generals. I never knew any more about him until the mention of his death at Fisher's Hill while serving with Gen. Early. I did some research and found that he is buried near Gen. Jackson in Lexington, Virginia and I plan on going to visit his graveside.

The only thing that could have improved upon this book would have been the absence of Mr. Gallagher's slanderous introduction. Best I can figure is he is nothing more than a scalawag and his introduction is fit for nothing but to be cut out and burned.

[William Guerrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and surprisingly informative, in this little booklet (135 pages) Early gives an account of his commands during the last year of the war. Written in 1866 while he was in exile abroad, it features the bitterness, sarcasm and rancor that would characterize his post-war writing.

I had the pleasure of reading an original 1867 printing, discovered by a friend in his old farmhouse.