Publisher's Synopsis
It has been found difficult in the preparation of this work, necessarily brief, to simply glance at the prominent features of the battle and mention the important points, without extending the account beyond the purpose for which it was intended. Where so much could be said, it was not easy to dismiss with a sentence scenes and episodes in the battle entitled to chapters of explanation, while others, perhaps equally important, could not be mentioned at all. Indeed, it was not at first contemplated to publish one fourth of the present material, but simply a brief description of the painting which it was intended to accompany. With this painting the necessity for a detailed explanation seemed greater than with ordinary historical scenes; first, because the public have not yet become fully familiar with the detailed history of the battle, and also because the painting itself is unusually full, and having been designed and painted with strict reference to historical correctness, the interest in it will be greatly enhanced by having always at hand a full description of its details, with proper historical references and authorities, particularly as it is accompanied by an outline key.
