The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-05
The Rebel Commander-in-Chie Genera
----- ------- --- Lee.

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From the Richmond va Dispatch.]
The rise which this officer has suddenly
taken in the public confidence is without a
he enjoyed the highest reputation of any off,
Ger on the continent But his fame was con-
siderably damaged by the result of his cam
paign over the mountains. The public was
unable to estimate the difficulties with which
he was surrounded, and was dspleased with
him because he did not accomplish what we
are now convinced must have been an impossi-
bility. We confess we were of the number
who allowed our previously high estimation
of Gen. Lee to be considerably shaken, if not
altogether overthrow, by the result of that
expedition. 1t was not until he was placed in
3 situation in which he had An opportunity to
display his great abilities that he was enabled
to teach the country and ourselves, as humble
sons of the country, the folly of forming sud-
den judgments upon premises not sufficiently
established.
The operations of Lee, in the short
campaign which is jus. over, were certainly
those of master. No captain that ever lived
could have planned or executed better cam
psign. 1t was perfect in all its parts, and
will be set down hereafter as among the mod
els which the military student will be required
to study. His first labor was to render the
successfully that, in the opinion of military
tnen, it could not be taken by double the force
Mcclellan could bring against it. His next
was to provide for the dispersion of the enor-
nous force which threatened it from Chicha-
hominy. How was this TO be done? To
attack their Notifications in front was only to
throw away the lives of the soldiers. To turn
them with the force which he had under him
here were an enterprise of infinite difficulty,
| since he would be compelled, in doing so, to
expose his own flank during the cross march
In this dilemma he fell upon the bold and
original plan of bringing jackson down upon
their right flank and rear.
But it was of the most Importance to con-
ceal this intended operation until the very last
| moment. The plan he devised was in the
highest degree ingenious. 1t was generally
believed that jackson, after brushing Fremont
and Shields was to march into the enemy s
country and transfer the war TO his own fire.
side. Means were taken to encourage that be-
lief and one of them was to send heavy REIN
forcements to the valley. When these had
| reached their destination, and everybody was
expecting to hear the sound of Jackson's can
| non on the SusquehaLna, the public were
electrified by the magnificent recon noissance
of Gen. Stuart. From that reconnaissance
Lee learned all that he wished further TO know,
and while the publicsswas still discussing the
utility of an operation so full of hazard the
news arrived that jackson had sent to Lynch
| burg for all the cars that he was at Staunton,
that he was at Gordonsville, that he was at
Louisa Court House. that he was at Hanover
| Court House, with all his army. Where is
| the Union party that were to show themselves
as soon as the enemy made his appearance in
| force2
! The truth burst upon the public in its full
efulgence. The en- envy were to be attacked
in flank and rear by Jackson's army at the
same time that they were to be assaulted in
] front by Lee with the main bulk of his army.
| The plan was worthy of the most renowned
General that ever lived, and even while it was
in the very agony Of projection, and had not
cess. 1t did succeed beyond all reasonable
hope, even of SO wisely conceived and we'll
digested an operation. Its success places its
author among the highest military names-on
the same roll with the Hannibals, the Caesars
the Fredericks, and the Napoleons Of history
The perfect success which attended the
efforts of Lee to keep the march of jackson
from the knowledge of the enemy is among
the marvels Of those marvellous operations
The writer of this was aware that jackson
| was on the march for Richmond as early Al
last Sunday fortnight, when he heard that hi
was already at Gordonsville with portion o.
his forces. It is scarcely possible that fewe
than ten thousand persons knew the sam,
thing at the same time. AMI yet not a sou
was found to betray the secret to the enemy
and he was taken, at last, completely by sur
prisel Was there ever such unanimity o
opinion as this circumstance reveals