5 MARCH 1887, Page 21

Uncle Sam's Medal of Honour, 1861-66. Collected and edited by

Bev. F. Bodenbough, Brevet Brigadier-General, U.S.A. (G. P. Putnam's Sons, London and New York.)—A plentifully illustrated volume, with many portraits of the eoldiers decorated with the Medal of Honour, granted for valour, like the Iron Cross and the Victoria Cross. It con- tains accounts of personal incidents in the Secession War, a few verses, many autobiographic sketches, and some descriptions of character as well as action, together with exciting narratives of deadly conflicts with and adventures among the frontier Indians, and portraits of Red Cloud, lite Jack, Rain-in-the-Face, who slew the gallant Custer, Little Wolf, and other savages. It seems that the practice of the United States War Office is, or was, to transmit these medals to the heroes by post or parcel's company, and not to have them presented by a Governor or other official. That is a shabby method, and really implies that the Government does not respect its own Order. The book, which draws attention to, and may help to abolish this abuse, may serve to rescue many noble deeds from early oblivion.