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January 2016 Willard Wallace Correspondence Willard Mosher Wallace 1911-
Maine State Library
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Recommended Citation Wallace, Willard Mosher 1911- and Maine State Library, "Willard Wallace Correspondence" (2016). Maine Writers Correspondence. 689. http://digitalmaine.com/maine_writers_correspondence/689
This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Maine State Library Special Collections at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine Writers Correspondence by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WALLACE, Willard M.
b. South Portland April 3, 1951
Dr. Willard M. Wallace Wesleyan University Middletown, Connecticut
Dear Dr. Wallace:
Congratulations on your new book, APPEAL TO ARMS. We placed it on our order list at once, for it seemed the kind of book which we would use frequently in our reference work, and which would be popular with the general reader as well.
We are especially interested to learn that you are a Maine man. We shall mention the book in the next issue of the Bulletin of the Maine Library Association. It is always a delight to be able to welcome another writer to the ranks of Maine authors.
Do you know of the Maine Author Collection? It was started some years ago, and now consists of about two thousand volumes, written by Maine people, those resident here, or written about the state. The books are inscribed presentation volumes, and are an impressive reminder of Maine's contribution to literature. The inscriptions are valuable and fascinating; and students and visitors are constantly attracted by the remarkable exhibit. This is entirely separate from the general lending section, and is a permanent exhibit, the only one where all the works of all Maine authors are gathered together.
We hope that you will want to inscribe and present a copy of APPEAL TO ARMS for this purpose. It would give us great pleasure to include it. Meanwhile, you have our best wishes for its immediate and enduring success.
Sincerely yours
In Charge of Maine Author Collection A
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
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7*7? 7^0 7^ic (2ct$UTL Z7a^d-cxjts /?wv x2^ueMut ^yd&tur y^Wy(UUyO^ z&U, /&£&u ^WCcsl- (M/&Zs£v-ty^££^ . T 3 ^a^icUX -£JL yzsifrct^ asK-d? ^ A? (^C6/~&jbryZ'. $ ^U2UZ£ ^AjL{kA,o£ sC^f ^/"^i^A> ^ A^O&L<2_^ . ^3 6U }^OSyWx. f& /(LM^t »L£. CL O^^ptu ^d-A. @jf OlA^CJ^j OstA^ c^. ]y(yt^ yyu)oct sU Vo OJyd^tT}^ out jJ 04/iwzc ^L&svjL ^fzyu^ COu^y-, yn^cf^ J/zM-cc WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY /9S/ s. „ /PVdc^l^Z--- y^) ^yCoi^s-*- ^/xX^bszi^cc# fo face W tfa*oJ~ jZc^f 3/£^ ' OA- Ot*L £Oi^t^ ltr~ c7~C*Sis Sfr? /^Ct££^e_ August 24, 1951 Dr. Willard M. Wallace Wealeyan University Middletown, Connecticut Dear Dr. Wallace: It was with pleasure that we welcomed the arrival of APPEAL TO ARMS this morning, and with especial delight that we read the inscription. Thank you very much, for your friendly letters, for the presentation copy of your book to the Maine Author Collection, and above ©11 for writing such a capable and yet interesting account of this part of American history. It is a book which captures the attention of the general reader, as well as the specialist, and we feel that its value will endure. We hope that other volumes will follow. History need not be fictionalized to be rendered agreeable to the average reader, but a chronicle which flows swiftly and observantly as yours does arouses and maintains interest; and more histories of this sort would be indeed welcome. You have our appreciative thanks for the collection copy of APPEAL TO ARMS, and our cordial invitation to call at the library when you are in this vicinity. Sincerely yours In Charge of Maine Author Collection <1HE LEW1STON DAILY WON UEWISTON-AI Books and Authors Soul of the Lion "Soul of the Lion, A biography T2T~Gen.TT.S.~Grant was so In 1900 he was appointed by of Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain,91 impressed by Chamberlain's feat President William McKinley as by Willard M. Wallace; Thomas that he promoted him on the spot surveyor of the Pdrt of Portland* Kelson & Sons., New York; 35? to brigadier-general. Histcary rec a job he fulfilled excellently. pp., illustrated. ords that this was the only pro His war wounds began to take motion Grant ever gave on the their toll after the beginning of The eventful life of one of field of battle. the century and in February, Maine's "most noble sons," Chamberlain's military career 1914, at the age of 85, he died Joshua L. Chamberlain—general, reached a climax in the seige at Portland. He is buried in the war hero, Governor, college pre of Petersburg, the extending Pine Grove cemetery in Brans- sident and businessman—has fi movements of Grant to cut Ro ! wick in the section nearest the nally been set forth in a bio bert E. Lee's escape route to Bowdoih campus. For a man who graphy he well deserves. the south, and in the final push was a major general in the Union As the publishers correctly to Appomattox Court House. Army, Governor of Maine and point out, this biography of the He was chosen for the signal president of Bowdoin College, his "Hero of Little Round Top" at honor of accepting the surrender grave stone bears only the brief the Battle of Gettysburg fills a of the Confederate infantry after and simple inscription: "Joshua long-standing void in the biogra the surrender. L. Chamberlain, 1828-1914." phical literature of the Civil War Following his discharge, Cham Wallace's biography does credit and Reconstruction period. berlain was four times chosen by to the man. The research has All other notable figures of the the Republicans as their candi been thorough—he has even Used Civil War, and some not so not date for Governor, and four times the files of the old Lewiston Eve able, have been rewarded with he was elected for one year terms ning Journal—and his method of full-length biographies. Chamber between 1867 and 1870. presentation is clear. lain, who wrote well himself but The author does not get car never left his memoirs, has never Ahead of Ms time in progres ried away with Chamberlain's been so honored and his admirers sive thinking, he urged better military career and rightly de have had to wait for close to 50 facilities for the mentally ill, votes considerable space to his years for a complete biography. and the bringing of railroads to fine post-war occupations as gov Chamberlain was probably one the State. He encouraged indus ernor and Bowdoin president. of the Pine Tree State's most try to settle in Maine and backed Through the use of family let memorable figures in' an era the immigration of Swedes to ters and Chamberlain's numer which produced James G. Blaine. Maine to offset the flow of Maine ous speeches, Wallace presents Senator and Governor Lot M. youth to the growing West. rewarding insights into Chamber Morrill, and Sen. William Pitt In 1871 Chamberlain returned lain's character, his thought and Fessenden. to Bowdoin as its president, a views on countless subjects, from A Brewer native, Chamberlain post he held until 1883. Again, education to marriage. entered Bowdoin in 1848 and he was too forward thinking for The biography certainly fills a made a notable record as a stu his times. He advocated the es gap on the CiviJ War shelf of a dent. Following his graduation tablishment of a science depart person's library and should be ment of Bowdoin, a department read by everyone who wants Jtp he completed his training in the 1 ministry at the Bangor Theologi which was to graduate Admiral become acquainted with a str * cal Seminary. He returned to Robert E. Peary, discoverer of ing figure in Maine post-C Bowdoin in 1855 and taught logic the North Pole. It failed after War period. ten years because of lack of WaiQace s a native of South Port and natural theology, and rheto funds and faculty coolness. He land, is currently an instructor ric and oratory until 1862 when advocated a graduate school; it in history at Wesleyan University he answered the call to arms at lasted only two years because it in Connecticut,, He has written the outbreak of the Civil War. He was too radical a departure for several other books dealing with went to the front as lieutenant Bowdoin at that time. He in colonial America,—M> B. P. colonel of the 20th Maine Regi stituted a military training pro ment. gram for the students, who dis He led the regiment at Little liked the strict discipline and Round Top on the critical second brow-beat the trustees into drop day of the Battle of Gettysburg ping the course. and won a Medal of Honor for his The last 30 years of Chamber gallant leadership in holding the lain^ s life were spent in various left flank of Vincent's Brigade. business ventures, none really These forces repulsed the best failures and yet none great suc efforts of the Confederates to cesses. He was much in demand take the bloody knoll, and saved as a public speaker and spent the left anchor of the Union bat much time addressing veterans tle lin.e. groups. Modest, Chamberlain never In 1880 he was pushed to the curried favor with his superiors, forefront of attention again when many of them Regular Army Gov. Alonzo Garcelon of Lewis- 'officers who looked with disfavor ton ordered him, as head of the jon volunteer officers, or with sfcpte militia, to take command ! politicians who could have push- and prevent a state "Civil War" led his advancement in Washing which was threatening between ton. As a result he did not rise political factions because of a in rank quickly and did not be disputed election for governor. or 1 come a brigadier-general until E , J„ ?, . days Chamberlain mid-1864 before Petersburg when ruled Maine, put down the up he was seriously wounded while rising, and restored peace to personally leading his regiment the state. into battle. His Mission Was Gettysburg Kenriebec Journal, Septemoer » - Gen. Josh Chamberlain Subject Of New Book "Great fighting "general" truly By RUTH HENDERSON | types Chamberlain, always in the Life of Gen. Joshua Lawrence!thick of the fray. He led always First Biography About Chamberlain, whose defense of with compassion for his men and Little Round Top turned the tide a vast understanding of the mil- am at Gettysburg and thus saved thelitary, the strategy and the fore- -•ewiston Jour Union, is told in an interesting, sight to out-think the opposer. age when a now generally for gratifying, appealing story by He was wounded critically at ffhomas Kelson ft SOBS, N. V.) gotten near "civil war" over the Willard M. Wallace, Maine native Petersburg and was given the ($5) Many experts on Civil War his- seating of a governor produced and Wesleyan University profes rare experience of reading his who threatened to kill him. As sor of history. lory agree on two things. The own obituary written by the first is tliat the Battle of Gettys an ugly-minded mob in Augusta Everything written concerning Army along with the order pro burg was the decisive battle of Major General of Maine militia the Civil War era, with the cen- moting him to brigadier general, the war, The second is that a Chamberlain's task was to pre tennial years approaching, is of He recovered to again carry his Brewer, Maine, man, Gen. Josh- vent violence. He faced the mob special appeal to today's readers. men on to further victories. wa Lawrence Chamberlain was with these words: "I am here to Wallace is making an outstand- The greatness of Gen. Chain the man who converted Gettys preserve the peace and honor of ing contribution in bringing to. berjain was again shown when burg into a victory as a result this State, until the rightful gov his readers the life of this re- j he was designated to receive sur- «f his heroism and brilliant ma ernment is seated — whichever it markable man through his bookjren(jer of Lee's forces. He or- neuvering on Little Round Top. may be, it is not for me to say. dered the Union ranks to atten- It is pleasing that finally a first If anybody wants to kill me for it, , _ , , .. . , tion and to give marching salute Mograpfay has been written of here I am. Let him kill." This entitled Soul of the Lion, recent- ^ war worn Confederates. this foremost Maine military man bit of melodrama resulted in the |ly off the press. ^ _ iit , . After the war Chamberlain re- and later president of Bowdoin gradual breaking up of the mob. Last big gap in Civil War bi- turned home to be elected College and Governor of Maine, "Soul of the Lion" cannot be ography is spanned m this first, f his native Mai His ten Horaho G Sickels said to recommended too highly. All | published story of the truly great Mianperiam: General, you have Maine people should read it, as S Ul Ii0K a d th€ lleart j fighting general. Through a long fp.^wJAccreditedlerms as to fact 2® ° °* " they not only will learn of this Unnrrp nf informal inn familv " accredited to xaci ne a woman. monumental figure in the State's [friends, archives, Wallace liasdld' ""i "cti™e^ohiWtionisI • •The Ko§raPhy bj> Willard M. history, but also will iearn much wa not an made his way in the construc- ? , ^ t Wallace appropriately enough is of history itself.—P. p and e tion of the story of Gen. Cham- A was an advocate of capital ?ntftle<, '.Soitl of the Lion." This 'berlain punishment. He returned as pres- )s Professor Wallace's fifth book. Summation of the life of this ident of Bowdoin and worked forge is a Professor of History at gallant man is aptly expressed an expanded curriculum and mil- Wesleyan University, and has in the words of Gen. Horatio g1 T _ * best of the Sickels to Gen. Chamberlain. . i ; T;-"1 • £* LS :> :s M S T 2/22/70 o • 3 © % w -; u _L_L. jl i CD v iLC} ±v •ML ... _ THE RAIDERS, A Novia of the Civil War involves Maine people and placcs. Portland- at Sea. By .d M. Wali.xe. Little, Brown. ers will, for example, relive the famous 470 pages, c».95. chase of the "Caleb Cushing" and the ship's subsequent sinking. '•TUB RAIDERS" recounts the adven Willard M. Wallace, a native of South tures of Main® - bred Navy Lieutenant Scott Portland and now Professor of History at Pettigrew, beginning with his assignment to Wesleyan University, has written a fast- serve zs naval attache in London. moving novel buttressed with solid historical On the voyage there he encounters the research. beautiful southern spy,!i Tamara Ravenel, For the history buff there is a historical and her sinister companion, Roger Clavering and bibliographical note, including a discus —with whom he will match wits until both sion of the disputed Edouard Manet painting southern agents are killed, Tamara in the fut of the battle between the "Alabama" and ile attempt of the ship "Challenger" to run the "Kearsarge." the Union blockade, and Clavering during the siege of Fort Fisher. In London Pettigrew is ordered to assist in the surveillance of the construction of Num ber 290 at Laird Yards in Liverpool. De- i spite the efforts of Ui\ emissaries in Eng land, however, the 230 is transformed into the dreaded "Alabama," commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes. In desperation Pet tigrew spirits himself aboard to take his place as a, member, of the crew. Eventually fleeing the vessel, Pettigrew returns to the United States and is given duty as a naval courier. He undertakes sev eral exciting^ missions and is present at the showdown between the "Alabama" and the "Kearsarge" of Cherbourg in June, 1864. This book should be of special interest to Maine readers because so much of the action