This narrative of Colonel Livermore's war experience was commenced immediately after the conclusion of the Civil War, while its events were still fresh in his mind.<br><br>Though often urged by the members of his family to publish the work, he always declined, giving as his reason that the events related were often so personal in their nature that they could better be published after his death.<br><br>His children have pardonably found interesting the narrative of his experience as well as his comments on persons and events. Accordingly, in the hope that the author's living friends and acquaintances, as well as those who, though not having known him, are interested generally in the Civil War, may find the text profitable, this book is offered to the public, without alteration, and substantially without omission.<br><br>If the author's style, at times, may seem unfinished, it must be remembered that he was but twenty-two years of age at the commencement of the work.<br><br>Through the courtesy of the Military Historical Society, of which Colonel Livermore was for many years the president, the book is published under the seal of the Society.