Preface signed: "E.A.W." Attributed to E.A. Walker. Cf. NUC pre-1956 imprints
Edward Ashley Walker (1835-1866), American clergyman, essayist and chaplain of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery Regiment from May, 1861 to July, 1862, when he resigned due to ill health related to his military service. His wife, Katherine Kent Child Walker (1833-1916), was an author of children's books.
http://www.readseries.com/auth-oz/Walker-bio.htm
1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery was an artillery regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Connecticut_Heavy_Artillery