"taken by the enemy" is the first of a new series of six volumes which are to be associated under the general title of "the blue and the gray series," which sufficiently indicates the character of the books. at the conclusion of the war of the rebellion, and before the writer had completed "the army and navy series," over twenty years ago, some of his friends advised him to make all possible haste to bring his war stories to a conclusion, declaring that there could be no demand for such works when the war had come to an end. but the volumes of the series mentioned are as much in demand to-day as any of his other stories, though from their nature the field of their circulation is more limited. surprising as this may appear, it is still the fact; and certainly the author has received more commendatory letters from young people in regard to the 6 books of this series than concerning those of any other.

among these letters there has occasionally been one, though rarely, in which the writer objected to this series for the reason that he was "on the other side" of the great issue which shook the nation to the centre of its being for four years. doubtless the writers of these letters, and many who wrote no letters, will be surprised and grieved at the announcement of another series by the author on war topics. the writer had little inclination to undertake this task; for he has believed for twenty years that the war is over, and he has not been disposed to keep alive old issues which had better remain buried. he has spent some time in the south, and has always found himself among friends there. he became personally acquainted with those who fought on the confederate side, from generals to privates, and he still values their friendship. he certainly is not disposed to write any thing that would cause him to forfeit his title to the kind feeling that was extended to him.

it is not, therefore, with the desire or intention to rekindle the fires of sectional animosity, now 7 happily subdued, that the writer begins another series relating to the war. the call upon him to use the topics of the war has been so urgent, and its ample field of stirring events has been so inviting, that he could not resist; but, while his own opinions in regard to the great question of five-and-twenty years ago remain unchanged, he hopes to do more ample justice than perhaps was done before to those "who fought on the other side."

the present volume introduces those which are to follow it, and presents many of the characters that are to figure in them. though written from the union standpoint, the author hopes that it will not be found unfair or unjust to those who looked from the opposite point of view.

dorchester, june 12, 1888.