William Miller Owen served as first lieutenant and adjutant of the Battalion Washington Artillery of New Orleans. Realizing at the time of his service the importance of an accurate, objective account of his exploits, Owen set out to keep a record of the events up until the surrender of General Lee. Later, using his own diary as a starting point, he compiled a manuscript for publication. This is his account. Owen hoped that his manuscript would be used for the compiling of later
histories. It includes a detailed record from the Battle of Bull Run to Appomattox and Spanish Fort, along with illustrated maps and engravings. This is an exact reproduction of Owen's manuscript, with the addition of three illustrations.