With Porter in North Missouri (Classic Reprint): A Chapter in the History of the War Between the States

Excerpt from With Porter in North Missouri: A Chapter in the History of the War Between the StatesI write this little narrative because it is a modest, and I believe a truthful, contribution to the history of my native State; because the results created by the energy and skill of the chief actor ought to be recorded; because his character, embracing the highest ideals of honor and duty, deserves the tribute - and a greater one than I can render - and because no other on the fast diminishing list of those who followed him has accepted the task. I regret that the work was not undertaken when they were living who could give valuable information not now attainable and when my own facilities for its prosecution were better. My official and editorial duties have for years consumed at least twelve hours time every day, and other matters have frequently encroached upon the two or three hours each evening allotted to this work.As far as I have been able to ascertain, Colonel Porter made but one official report, and that was of the engagement at Hartville, Southwest Missouri, where he received his death wound. The official reports of the Federal officers were generally fairly accurate as to the movements of their own troops and the relation of events from their own point of view. As a rule, the newspaper accounts of the operations in Missouri were prodigies of untruth. To get as near the truth as possible, to gather up the missing links in the chain of facts that dropped out of memory, to make sure of facts which I think I remember and to learn of occurrences beyond my range of vision, I addressed letters of inquiry to every known survivor. Confederate and Federal.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com