This collection has been made with the view of preserving in permanentform the opinions and sentiments of the Southern people, as embodied intheir Songs and Ballads of 1861-1865; which, better than any other medium,exhibit the temper of the times and popular feeling. The historical valueof the productions is admitted. Age will not impair it.

The editor has endeavored to give the best of the inspirations. A desireto announce the authorship of the pieces has been gratified in mostinstances. Where requests have been made not to give names and places andcircumstances, by whom, and where they have been written, they have beenregarded, the spirit, meaning and intent not being affected, nor in theleast abated by such a course. To those who have assisted in collecting,the editor returns his thanks. After this volume reaches those who areinterested, should any of them desire to correct mistakes that may have[Pg 4]crept into it, he will be glad to make the changes required.

Should any one, into whose hands the volume may fall, know of copies ofsongs or ballads, or of letters and incidents upon which such arefounded—songs and ballads, letters or incidents not already collected inbook form—the editor will be glad to be advised, that means may be takenfor their permanent preservation, which he is using every endeavor tosecure. A postal card, giving name and residence, addressed to him, in thecare of his publishers, D. Appleton and Company, New York City, willreceive immediate attention.

The essence of history exists in its songs. Those that are carried in thememory are earliest forgotten. It is a praiseworthy plan that saves all.Will those who “know them by heart,” and have “sung them in camp and inbattle,” help to rescue them from oblivion?

Frank Moore.

New York, January, 1886.