Chapter 0
Preface of Company H. Murray Gray's First Tennessee Regiment OR A SIDESHOW OF THE BIG SHOW. Company H. by Sam R. Watkins. Preface. Publishers' Notice.
18 years ago, the first edition of this book, Company H. First Tennessee Regiment, was published by the author Mr. Sam R. Watkins of Columbia, Tennessee. A limited edition of 2,000 copies was printed and sold. For nearly 20 years this work has been out of print, and the owners of copies of it hold them so precious that it is impossible to purchase one.
To me to demand so strong as to be almost irresistible, the Chattanooga Times has printed a second edition of 2,000 copies, which to soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Cumberland, between whom many battles were fought, it will prove of intense interest, serving to recall many scenes and incidents of battlefield and camp in which they were the chief actors.
To them and to all other readers we respectfully commend this book as being the best and most impersonal history of any army ever written. The Chattanooga Times. Chattanooga, Tennessee. October 1st, 1900.
Ho'eqwe ipsay mizarey ma vidi, et quorum pas mania fui. To the memory of my dead comrades of the Murray Grays and the 1st Tennessee Regiment, who died in defense of southern homes and liberties. Also to my living comrades, nearly all of whom shed their blood in defense of the same cause.
This book is respectfully dedicated by the author. End of Preface
