The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 / A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

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Gutenberg ID

24885

Title

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 / A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A November 1864 issue of The Atlantic Monthly featuring diverse essays, poetry, and reviews. Highlights include a firsthand account of raising a regiment of freed slaves in South Carolina, critical reviews of Robert Browning's poetry, and a survey of recent American publications.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in November 1864, Volume 14, No. 85 of The Atlantic Monthly offers a profound snapshot of the Civil War era, blending urgent political commentary with high literary criticism. The volume's most significant contribution is the piece 'Leaves from an Officer's Journal,' a diary entry by a Massachusetts officer stationed at Camp Saxton in 1862. This narrative documents the historic formation of the First South Carolina regiment, composed of newly freed African American soldiers. The officer provides an intimate look at the 'momentous experiment' of arming former slaves, detailing their discipline, courage, and humanity. The text contrasts the stark, decaying reality of the plantation South with the hopeful energy of the black military service. Vivid scenes of drill, target practice, and evening storytelling around campfires illustrate the soldiers' rapid adaptation to military life and their ardent loyalty. The officer notes that while the regiment faced microscopic scrutiny from both friends and foes, the soldiers proved their aptitude for combat, effectively solving a critical problem for the Union war effort. The issue also features extensive literary criticism focused on the poetry of Robert Browning. The reviewer praises Browning's dramatic intensity in works like 'A Death in the Desert' and 'Pamphylax,' which attempt to capture fleeting moments of profound feeling and theological reflection. However, the critique offers mixed assessments of his later works, noting occasional 'British denseness' and theological rigidity. The reviewer finds 'Mr. Sludge, the Medium' to be a satirical failure, lacking poetic beauty and relying on gross caricature of Spiritualism. Conversely, poems like 'Rabbi Ben Ezra' and 'Prospice' are highlighted for their tranquil expressions of faith and the poet's evolving intuition regarding the infinite. The volume concludes with a list of recent American publications, reflecting the intellectual currents of the time. These range from naval histories and treatises on school economy to political treatises on slavery and the future of the African race. Together, these elements present a rich tapestry of literature and politics, capturing a nation in transition as it grapples with the realities of emancipation and the enduring power of the written word.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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• Periodicals