"The Secret Service, the Field, the Dungeon, and the Escape" by Albert D. Richardson, published by American Publishing Company, Hartford, Connecticut. First Edition with '1865' imprinted on bottom of the title page and copyright; illustrated with engravings.

Embossed hard boards, green cloth [some wear, spine cloth repair, faded gold lettering on spine: see photos]; 6" x 9"; pencil written signature on the front endpaper [see photo]; steel engraved frontispiece portrait by Albert Richardson [from the photo by Brady, engraved by Geo E. Perine], 512 pages including "Song for the Nameless Heroine" + 10 wood engraved plates [all listed plates are present] some soiling and wear, very good condition.

The Secret Service is a fascinating, and heroic story of Albert D. Richardson that gripped the nation. The book documents the experiences of Richardson within the Confederate lines during 1861, later with the Union Armies, and then held in southern prisons, and his escape. This 1865 first edition includes 3 pages of a musical score dedicated to the "Nameless Heroine" who helped him escape, frontispiece portrait and 10 full-page engravings.

"The adventure of Richardson, a Reporter for the New York Tribune during the Civil War reflects his personal experiences and responses to the people and events he sought out for articles. His take on the generals, foot soldiers, slaves, ex-slaves, everyday folks, and famous people of the time are insightful and illuminating. He engaged both women and men. I truly enjoyed this account, especially after Richardson had lulled me into the comfort of a travel fantasia with his description of his visit to a cavern, where the coming events seemed to be nothing like the violence and danger of war." [private review]

"In view of the author's rich material, his well-known trustworthiness, and graphic descriptive powers, the publishers feel justified in predicting a work of unusual interest, containing more of the fact, incident, and romance of the war than any other which has yet appeared." NEW YORK TIMES, April 1865

"The remarkable Civil War career of famous New York "Tribune" journalist, Albert D. Richardson, was packed with more action, intrigue, and danger than many of his colleagues. Like war correspondents today, Richardson reported from where the shells were flying and men were dying. He was also a Union spy. He reported from the south before the war and from "Bleeding Kansas" in the fifties. He met with and discussed the war with Abraham Lincoln before heading to Vicksburg. That's all here in his classic book.

And in 1863, Richardson and the other famous "Tribune" correspondent, Junius Browne, were captured while trying to run the Confederate batteries protecting the river at Vicksburg. They spent 20 months in harrowing prison conditions until their dramatic and dangerous escape through enemy territory.It's a story that should be known by every American. Richardson aspired to great literary writing but along with the danger, there is plenty of wonderful humor.Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever.” [a review]

Albert Deane Richardson (1833-1869) was a well-known American journalist, Union spy, and author. Among his works is his noted biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Richardson was shot on two occasions, the second time fatally, by a jealous husband of the women Richardson was in love with.

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ------------ $16.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) ----- $32.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ------ $44.50