Back to Top

05.18.02 Wise, John S., The End of an Era. Published in 1899.

Our Review

An eloquent, humorous, and poignant memoir written by the son of Gov. Henry A. Wise, of Virginia. He tells of the excitement John Brown’s raid caused in Richmond, and his boyish attempt to go with the soldiers to Harper’s Ferry. He describes a slave market in Richmond. He tells of the battle of the ironclads which he witnessed from Sewell’s Point. He tells of his cadetship at VMI, and his wounding at the Battle of New Market. He tells of his commission as a lieutenant with orders from Jefferson Davis to link up with General Lee on his retreat and ascertain the situation. And he tells of bearing the last dispatch from the Army of Northern Virginia to Davis in Danville.

HVT