As we approach the year 2000, I think it is fitting to write a tribute to Century Magazine. Why? Because the editors of Century Magazine performed a valuable service to ACW historians about 100 years ago.
As the year 1900 approached, the editors of Century Magazine decided to do a series of articles on the most important American event of the 1800's, the American Civil War. However, they did not just research and write the articles themselves. They chose to ask those who participated in, or witnessed the major events to write about those events. Although certain important people (such as, Lee, Lincoln, Davis, Jackson, and others) were dead by the time of the series, many others were not.
Therefore, the Century editors asked those most involved (or those close to those most involved) to write accounts of the battles and events of the Civil War. For example, both Grant and P. T. Beauregard wrote accounts of the Shiloh campaign. This approach became a trademark of the series. The editors had participants from both sides writing about a battle. Furthermore, once an article was printed, other interested parties wrote to Century Magazine to "put their two cents in."
Using our Shiloh example, Don Carlos Buell replied to Grant's account of the battle, as he felt Grant's account did not give enough credit to his participation in the battle. As a consequence, the magazine obtained various viewpoints about the battles and events of the Civil War.
What became of all this wonderful information? It was edited to become that magnificent ACW reference, Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. Consequently, Robert Underwood Johnson Clarence Clough Buel, and their associates deserve this tribute, and the respect of all of us. Although Century Magazine and its employees are long gone, they left behind something of great value to ACW historians.
More Reviews
Back to The Zouave Vol. X No. 4 Table of Contents
© Copyright 1996 The American Civil War Society
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com