{"value"=>"<p>Letterbooks in the \"War\" subseries relate to the production of <span class=\"title\">The Century Magazine</span>'s popular series, <span class=\"title\">Battles and Leaders of the Civil War</span>. The War Series was unique for its time in that it aspired to tell the story of the American Civil War through reminiscences of its most notable figures on both sides. Ulysses S. Grant, for example, agreed to write four articles for the series covering his experiences in the battles of Shiloh and Vicksburg; the Wilderness Campaign; and the surrender of General Robert E. Lee. His participation, along with the persistent lobbying of Gilder and Johnson, convinced him to pen his military memoirs, which were completed days before his death. Ultimately, over 230 soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies participated in the project, which was published over three years beginning in November 1884.</p> <p>The letterbooks are largely comprised of requests for participation in the project-- and later, rejection letters for unsolicited material as the project grew beyond its original projections. Letters are mainly written by Johnson, but also by Clarence Clough Buel and Richard Watson Gilder. Calls for content often evolved into longer, more detailed exchanges intended to clarify or expand the recollections submitted.</p> <p>Notable correspondents include Generals Raleigh E. Colson, James B. Fry, D. H. Hill, George B. McClellan, William Tecumseh Sherman, Joseph E. Johnston, Henry W. Slocum, G. T. Beauregard, and Marcus J. Wright; Colonel Henry Stone; Admiral David D. Porter; and war artist James Edward Taylor. All volumes are arranged in chronological order. Each volume includes an alphabetical index, although the indices are not always complete. Some volumes are in poor or fragile condition and special care should be taken when using these items.</p>"}