Diary of a Refugee

While preparing the Diary for publication, I saw the possibility of making an interesting drama from it, so I have dramatized it, giving the play as title the famous words of General Grant, "Let us have peace." I have also obtained permission of General Frederick Grant to have his father, General U. S. Grant, impersonated on the stage. Several years ago I read a book called "Ground Arms," by an Austrian noblewoman, which made a strong impression upon me, for it was written with great power and ability, and was an eloquent protest against the evils of war. If either "The Diary of a Refugee" or the play can in any way convey the horrors of war to the public and make them feel as I do in regard to the terrible suffering and misery which it entails upon so many innocent people, then indeed I shall feel that my work has not been in vain. This is the spirit that has prompted me to edit the Diary and to dramatize it. I hope the public, on reading the book and seeing the play, will take my representation of Southern life as a true one, and after following the family through their trials and troubles, will understand with what great sincerity and thankfulness they echo General Grant's famous words, "Let us have peace." It is with great pleasure that I give a letter received from Admiral Dewey expressing his approval of the description given in the "Diary of a Refugee" of the battle of Port Hudson, as the Admiral was on the"Mississippi" at the time.