"The journal of George Townley Fullam provides a daily account of the activities of the Confederate commerce raider, CSS Alabama from its launching in 1862 to its destruction in 1864. Fullam was a boarding officer on the Alabama, with responsibility for inspecting and evaluating prize cargoes, arranging the transfer of valuables and crewmen, and burning the captured merchantmen and their often precious stores. His journal conveys concerns and a point of view somewhat different from that of a ship's commander or other line officer. Dr. Charles G. Summersell's annotations serve to clarify and expand upon the journal's terse entries, and relate its content to previously published material, providing the reader with a connected narrative view of proceedings aboard the Alabama. In his introduction to the Journal, Dr. Summersell recounts no only indispensable general background but fascinating detail regarding Fullam, his family, and the dramatic circumstances whereby certain dedicated Mobilians acquired the highly valuable journal after its disappearance at the turn of the century"--Jacket.