To some it may appear that the publication of a work like this belongs properly within the province of the General Government, and that a citizen in private life should not presume to offer information on official matters. In reply it should be stated that this work is offered only as a convenient digest of official publications already issued by the General Government, or State Military Bureaus, to which have been added some original exhibits deduced from official statistics heretofore published and unpublished.

The Adjutant-General's office at Washington has been engaged for several years on the publication of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. The work is admirably done, but it is of surprising magnitude, and cannot be completed for many years. It already fills so many large volumes that it is too bulky and costly for the ordinary student. Then, again, there are peculiar and interesting deductions which do not come within the scope of the Government work, but which find a proper place within these pages.

The present volume has been undertaken with the belief that a convenient and accurate summary of the official statistics would be an acceptable addition to the history of the war. Some details of minor importance have been omitted, as the work is designed for the benefit of advanced students, and it is assumed that the reader is already familiar with the more important points in the history of the events alluded to.

There has been a dearth of official information regarding a certain class of regimental statistics which are essential to the history of the war, and are of interest, not only to the surviving participants, but to all who are interested in the story. Regimental affairs are of more importance to the average soldier than Corps or Army matters; and, so, an effort has been made to supply within these pages certain facts regarding regimental losses which are outside the province of the Government publications.

It is with pleasure that acknowledgment is made of courtesies extended by the Adjutant-Generals of the various State Military Bureaus, and the Adjutant-General's office at Washington. Without their kindly assistance the work could not have been completed.

No statistics are given here that are not warranted by the official records. The work represents the patient and conscientious labor of years. Days, and often weeks, have been spent on the figures of each regiment. It is hoped that before disputing any essential fact, a like careful examination of the records will be made. Having done that, if any fail to reconcile facts and statements, they will confer a favor by addressing a communication on the matter, so that an opportunity may be afforded to explain the seeming discrepancy, or, if an error, to correct it in a subsequent edition.

THE AUTHOR.

ALBANY, N.Y., May 1, 1888.