“Beginning with a rather brief sketch of the provisional government set up by President Johnson, the author next exhibits in detail the workings of the administrations of the ‘carpet-bagger’ Governor Scott, of Governor Moses the ‘renegade secessionist,’ and of Governor Chamberlain, the ‘reform’ Republican. One chapter is devoted to the Ku Klux trials, another to the disgusting story of the ‘public frauds,’ and two chapters to the election of Hampton in 1876, the bargain with the Washington administration, and the overthrow of the rule of the ‘carpet-bagger’ and the negro.”—Dial.
“Mr. Reynolds loses sight of the philosophy of history in the combat of opposing parties.” Frederick W. Moore.
– + Am. Hist. R. 12: 180. O. ’06. 430w.
“Mr. Reynolds has unusual qualifications for writing the history of that chaotic period; he was an observer of much about which he writes, he knew many of the leaders of the opposing forces, and he is familiar with the periodical and pamphlet literature from which the history of the Reconstruction must largely be drawn. It is much to be regretted that he did not see fit to indicate for the benefit of other students the sources from which he drew his information.”
+ + – Dial. 41: 118. S. 1, ’06. 470w.
“In spite of certain faults of temper and attitude, the book is, in many respects, worthy of high praise. A patient care in the gathering and use of its voluminous and minute data is everywhere observable, and a judicial method is attempted thruout, tho unfortunately not always maintained.”
+ + – Ind. 61: 639. S. 13, ’06. 170w.
“Mr. Reynolds endeavors to be fair, temperate in statement, and sure in his conclusions. He has succeeded in a high degree but not entirely.” William E. Dodd.
+ + – N. Y. Times. 11: 306. Ag. 18, ’06. 1330w.