It gives an introduction on "The University in Relation to the Rebellion"; a chapter of "Biographies of Students who Died in the Service or from Disease Contracted in the Service"; an account of "The Memorial Tablet in Manning Hall," and a "Roll of Students, Graduates and Non-Graduates, who Served in the Army and Navy of the United States during the Rebellion."
There were in the service in all capacities during the war two hundred and sixty-six of the old students, and of these twenty-one were killed or died from wounds or disease contracted in the service. We have said that the book is admirably gotten up (albeit there are, of course, sentiments which we utterly repudiate, and phrases which we would fain hope our friend Major Burrage would modify if he had written in 1880 instead of 1868), and we would rejoice to see such a volume for every college and university in the land.
We were very much struck by one statement, as illustrating the odds against which the South fought: Brown University not only continued its regular sessions but, had in attendance more than its average of students during the whole war. This was probably true of other Northern colleges; while nearly every college at the South was closed, and its professors and students enlisted en masse in the armies of the Confederacy.
It is a singular coincidence that at the very time we received the volume concerning Brown University, we also received from our old college friend, the author, this splendid tribute to the alumni of the University of Virginia who fell in the Confederate service. Alas! instead of twenty-one, this death-roll contains the names and brief biographies of one hundred and ninety-eight alumni of our noble University, who marched forth cheerfully to defend what they believed the cause of constitutional freedom, and laid their lives a willing sacrifice on the altar of "the land they loved." And even this long roll, because of imperfect records, is not complete, and it is believed that at least two hundred and seventy-five of our alumni fell in the great struggle.
Unfortunately there has been made out no roll of old students of the University who served in the Confederate army, but it is confidently believed that fully three-fourths of those who were of military age volunteered first year of the war.
We regret that we have now only space to add that Mr. Johnson has done his work with skilful hand and tender touch, and has produced a book that deserves a place in every library. Copies may be procured of the author, Professor John L. Johnson, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi.
Scribner's Monthly and St. Nicholas continue to excel in beautiful illustrations and interesting, varied and valuable matter; every month bringing both grown people and little folks under renewed obligations for these superb magazines.
