The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-11-06
VIRGINIA CORRESPONDENTS.
LPcs raE LANCASTER LEDGER.
MCLEANs' FORD, Fairfax, Va, }
October CS, 1861.

O>sSSo' - ASois
Since my last communication much
Of interest has occurred, our marches have
been numerous aud fatiguing, partak king
sonewhat Of the countermarch, bordering
ou tho zissag, probably would give the
better idea CT the line of the march
ulany grand strategic movements have
been made, which cannot now be stated,
aud which iu fact, cannot Ge seen by
those not posted. Time, it is said. will
display the beauty and exhibit the ap
propriateness of the move. The reader
will recollsct, that in June last. uarper's
Ferry was abandoned somewhat abruptly
and certainly Unexpectedly to those not
in the army that Gen'I. Johnston made
several zszag marches when Billy Pat
tersou WAS about-all of which at the
time WAS though; to DO strange. 1t was
said then by those into the secret tha,
theT we're grand strategic movements and
time would prove them 10 be go. The
result of the battle Of the 2ls. J JIly shows
that 1t WAS well, that Gen'l Johnston was
on the left wing /; rather, it was the cul
minstion OF those strategic movements
that he was there. The programme haG
been laid down and every movement had
to be made, SO as to work up to the pro
gramme. With many, these strategic
movements are not understood at the
time-not appreciated. In fact, with
maay, the, are never understood, ne,s'
appreciated. This is not owing to the
obluseness Of their intellec,s, but often to
there beng no sor. Of fitness between
the strategic movement and the result.
The Gnost will sometimes come 10 at the
wrong door," For nv part am dispo
bed to regard the marches and moves
that do not understand and see no rsa
sou for, (and there are not fsw,) as
grand strategic movements, and trust to
time to doveIope their beauty and fitness
In vast army, which makes line OF
battle for Il ty miles, it is impossible to
discover TIE propriety Of the various
moves. the ""hys and wheref,res." u
is needless to inquire. for if you could
find an officer who did know, be would
no. communicate he would be slow OF
speech, and if YOU listened TO those who
thought they were in the secret, you
would receive rs many different reasons
as Mss Kelsey can give for no: having,
up to this time, accepted any one OF her
numerous lovers. Now do no: be alarm
cd Miss Betsey, AM not going TO "tei
tales out of school Works have been
written and published on the s!rateg;c
movements Of armies. II ia now part
OF the military education and knowledge
Of a scientific officer. To be master OF
ali such works is now indispensable 10 the
succes, Of the sae 'essful and brilIian, gen
srai. With tho smaller fry aud with the
rank npd file, ii is not so essential they
do cot originate. conceive or plan out,
eu: execute and carry out. However
coneeding TO tue scienlif; commanders.
full credit for the discovery OF all strategic
points in the lines Of attack, defence and
retreat, and all honor for the conception
OF the many and Necessary strategic
movements which large armies must IN ke
in every campaign, still the "smallsr fry"
md the rank and file are entitled TO
equal, il not more, credi. and honor
They do the hard work. dig pits, .brow
up entertainments and breastworks; build
bridges, cut roads, spend The dag and
night in the slsepless watch (; travel as
ordered, in the heat, cold. rain, raad and
inire {; sleep on the wei ground eat
What is fsroished and when that gives
out, do without; aud when The lay Of
stakle arrives. they send forth the dsA'h
r IlIfl.gsp,ssels, without which The killed
|llsled Of the enemy would foot up
1paber they are foremost in
nnd the bindmos. in the re
egic movements. strategic
touvaescant words, aooG re
n any rate, it | were called up
6 my present location, would
!sti'i h byenient to say il was taking
s,rxf7 point" and IL asked 20 account
- Rs.neuts for the pas! :sa days,