Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1862-1863, 1862-11-28
GENERAL mitchell.
From Harper's Weekly.

Mitchell The country looSes one
OF the fiery souls that compel
victory. The purity and fervor
OF his patriotism were of the an
tique mould. From the first
words he spoke at the great Tn
ion Square meeting after Sumpt-
er, through his gallant and bril-
liant service at the West TO the
commencement Of his Southern
campaign, his life was an act of
seli-renunclation and devotion.
Those who saw him just be-
tore ne left for the Department
OF the South were fully aware
OF his convictions as to the state
of the country and the prospects
OF the cause. He knew, as every
BODY else did, that to send him
to Hilton Head, with the handful
OF men there, was to send him
into exile. But he made no com.
plant. He said that he believe
ed that he was good soldier.
Gas for GeneralShip | do not
judge" he said; but | know
that the whole duty of soldier
is to obey orders, and | believe
that | can do that" " He did it.
He came from Alabama when
he was summoned to Washing
ton in the shortest possible time.
He reported for orders. He was
told to wait. He waited and
waited week after week, and was
finally sent to South Carolina,
and went.
There were doubtless divided
counsels about him at Washing
ton. He was fighting General;
a dashing, ardent, popular leader.
He believed that the war must
be fought out by every means.
He did not believe in waiting,
nor In gently tapping the enemy,
nor IN tampering with treason
and traitors; but in sweeping sud-
denly, and striking stunning
blows with overwhelming power.
General Mitchel's theory of the
war was, that it is a mortal con-
lllct between the spirit of desT OF
ism and that OF lawful Liberty;
that there could be in the nature
of things no concession, no COM
promise; that either the nation
would conquer and establish It's
government permanently as the
defense and guarantee of Liberty,
or be dismembered and ruined.
Born in ilentucGy, he new the
section with which we are fight
ing. BY disposition coaserva-
tive, he doubted whether the
people were raaGy to rely upon
the principle Indicated by Mr..
Lincoln's election, and therefore
apprehended vita misgising the
possible result OF the war which
that election was sure to provoke.
But when the war came he
sPrang to the field with the bat
tle-cry OF America and Liberty
upon his lips, and they had nc
other language until shey were
cold forever.
He had bitter enemies-but
they were not among the soldiers
re commanded. 1t was said
that he covered a great deal OF
territory in the southwest, and
that if such work made ccm-
mander ne was a good one. 1t
was sneered that his exploits re-
sounded in the newspapers, but
were of no actual importance or
military significance. 1t was
coldly said that he was better
orator than soldier. But IL any
General in this war has done
what he was sent to DO, it is
General Mitchell. Ills western
services, within his means, do
not suffer by comparison With
those Of any other officer who
has served in that department.
His Inauguration of the Southern
campaign was but partly success
ful at Pocotaligo; but not from
want of skill in devising or bra
very in the men. The battle
was q victory as far As 1t went. /
The enemy were successiyely |
driven from the three positions
they chose. Then our force /
withdrew, not being adequate to
pushing further. Bet the partial
successes Of Generals vino had
every means have been hitherto,
in the war, hailed by US and re-
ported by them, as victories.
Like all men who feel pro-
toundly, and who occupy conspi-
locus positions in a civil wal,
General Mitchell will receive no
censure or praise.
There is not a man of military
in this war, unless i:
be, at the present moment, Cen
eral Burnside, who Is net, and
vino will not be, the object of in
tense party-feeling. Fremont,
Mcclellan, Sigel, Halleck, Hun