During the course of the war some sixteen Editions of this work have appeared, each of which was, I hope, a little more full and accurate than that which preceded it.

I may fairly claim, however, that the absolute mistakes made have been few in number, and that I have never had occasion to reverse, and seldom to modify, the judgments which I have formed.

In this final edition the early text has been carefully revised and all fresh available knowledge has been added within the limits of a single volume narrative.

Of the various episodes in the latter half of the war it is impossible to say that the material is available for a complete and final chronicle.

By the aid, however, of the official dispatches, of the newspapers, and of many private letters, I have done my best to give an intelligible and accurate account of the matter.