Ebook Memoir of John Yates Beall

In a letter written by the subject of this Memoir to the authorities of the Confederate States, he expressed the hope that if they could not protect his life they would at least vindicate his memory. About the same time the author addressed a letter to a mutual friend, in which he stated that if every effort to save his life should fail, he (the author) would place all the facts fairly and fully before the world, so that they might judge impartially between the condemned man, and his executioners. The author has felt himself bound, therefore, by a promise to give to the public such facts of the case as have been withheld from them, and he has, at the same time, availed himself of the opportunity to give to history, as far as lay in his power, the whole career of John Yates Beall during the progress of the late war.

Finding, moreover, among his papers, a Diary kept by himself, embracing a period of two years or more, the author has published it, first, on account of its interest as a running commentary on the events of the war, as they transpired; and secondly, as reflecting his general views, political sentiments,. and religious convictions. In regard to this Diary, however, it should be remembered that it was written hurriedly, and apparently almost as rapidly as thought itself, without any revision or correction by its author, and was evidently never intended for any eye but his own. In it he, as it were, holds the mirror up to his own bosom. Hence its style is familiar,, even colloquial, and will be recognized by his friends as a much better specimen of his conversation than of his literary ability.