The New York herald., 1863-07-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
WAR PICTURES FROM THE SOUTH. BY B. Estvan,
Colonel of Cavalry in the Confederate Army.

WAN PICTURES FROM THE SOUTH. by d. Estvans
Colonel of Cavalry in the Confederate Army.
Appleton Co.
The best and by far the most reliable book that has
been published the the volume now before
1t is written by who, though committed TO the
rebel by service In its army has undertaken tho
difficult imparliay describing its events. That
he should have succeeded the extent OF ecng the ad
miraton and praise Of Northern journalists tribute
his candor But what gives his book additional value is
chat his military criticisms based upon competent
European training, and display a thorough acquaint-
snce with the s.rutegc art review Of the
campaign the peninsula, which was copied
by from a Cologne paper, gave public
high opinion OF his qualifications military histo
rian, and created general desire TO something
ther from his pen. He has graed this feeling way
honorable to himself II Is useful to both belge
rents He has not been sparng
was applicable on either side has he been niggardy
of his appreciation where his praise was likely TO
prove dstasteu those with whom he had been proes
sionay associated.
AS Afford but limited space to this notice. we
ehall proceed without further prelimnares extract
such passages from the book likely prove most
acceptable to readers. Here is a characteristic
description of man whose and nature would seem
20 be in remarkable accord and who has again recently
distinguished himself by tho swift use of his hcels:
GENERAL PENSACOLA.
str0llng acrobat standing outside his booth
ing the wonderful things that to be seen within II
must be admitted, however, that his reports and bue
tins calculated produce telling effect in exciting
The masses Here Is specimen OF the style OF these
world! will diserse the dogs to the four winds! Not
one stone OF the tort shali remain upon another, In
>Courted the approval OF the multitude, who began
fancy that Bragg the only general In the world worth
having-a second Alexander the Great. Indeed, i
big words suilced 10 make heroes, thee would
be no lack Of supply in America: but
nakeweight they have happily local proverb
which teaches them that words not cents" Bragg
would not allow to open my lips, but, in wild ex
citement, at launched forth vaineloriocs boast
that In less than four weeks he would capture Fort Pick
ems, put the TO the sword and blow the air
"Al this Is very well. General quietly observed 'but
what measures have you taken carry this great
plan? On this point however, tho gallant General de
cned to enter into any explanations. II was bis wish
to give weight to his words), astonsh the public By
his After this rather actory interview
along The shores or the bay 10 inspect his camp
and the condit Of his army. The defensive works
Of the most primitive knd and constructed with
csrecssness which might have led to the that
in a state 0, peace, had 1t not been that hos
te ort opposite stood where the vglant activity OF the
enemy was evident enough
The radical journals haze always endeavored to make
light OF the services of General Mcclellan Western yir
gnia Our readers will what professional critic
and an opponent thinks Of them.
M'crRLLAN's FIRST COMMAND.
In this campaign General Mcclellan Tor the first time
appeared in the character Of independent commander
and cannot refrain from bearing testimony favor of
man who commenced his career leader bril-
liant manner. hcCleans army was by no means u
together from all pars o. the Union. Not only the
regiments collected and mixed up together from different
st es so that the troops had scarcely edge OF
each other, but they also uneqiay and badly
armed Despite these drawbacks-so trying to
and prscauons, owe came them al. wi.n 'eaTe care
and attention he endeavored sorm the spirit
OF bis troops and to MAKE them regardless fatigue aud
prvatons and as soon he et that he had gained the
confidence OF his officers and men he did not delay
18th Of July he commenced his with troops
aDd on the same day up position at Beaington op
posie Laurel H then left portion OF bis troops behind
corps OF observation. and advanced with the main
body In rapid strides towards Rich Mountain This
was Of those fatieuing operations which such
try as America can alone offer an example or Through
painless woods, high hills, through streams and
rvulets, tho soldiers had to force their way Added
this tho rain ceased TO pour down. Despite all
these obstacles the kept without murmurng they
overcame every difficulty with facility which entitled
them honorable comparison with the soldiers
OF Europe Mcclellan himself was always at the head q
his men, 10 whom he set good example by cheerfuly
putting up with every annoyance and privation.
As General Mcclellan had made Coonel Pegrams
troops lay down their arms he proceeded % carry out
his manGuvre with delay without waiting for General
and accordingly advalced 70 attack the forces
under General Garuest
General Garnett placed in desperate position by
McCelsn's bold advance and Colonel Pegrams capture
Colonel Scott's scmewha too hasty retreat. he would
have force bis way the best practicable
diers moments respite Mcclellan hotly pursued our
army and although continually checked and kept bay
by gallant reserve, still continued the attack with
unabated energy. Without hesitation he boldly gave
battle at every psnt and although the fighting cannot
be called more than ski mshng large SCALE u never
theess lasted throughout the The activity displayed
by the General this occasion Ia deserving Of praise
Nothing seemed stand In his way despite the heavy,
Intermittent rain and the execrabe roads bis dis
played fortitude and m energy that commands admra
tou. For two days, With iIdestigaoe determination,
be followed close upon heels Whenever sought
few moments rest aroused by the e OF his rifle
outposts and the bullets, which flying
about ia all directions. made our position anything but
comfortable.
The loss Of the battle Of Rich Mountain was q severe
blow young army, aud created painful sensation
throug the southern states II the government
Washington had only had tho 10 advantage Of
this u would probably in q short time have
brought whole Virginia rule Instead
of existence and cnrusting the veal
OF the country to the nds OF generals II
ought shown It's appreciation the talent
and OF General Mcclellan and without hesitation
have given him the command OF the army on the Potomac
Had II the disaster at Manassas detrimental
20 the federal cause might have been avoided after
che achieved by Me- ean In the western por
ton of virginia. ho would have been received by the
troops tue poomac not stranger, but an old
acquaintance with Confidence and enthusiasm. The sol
des would then have had Commander whose success and
devoti inspired them with respect, and they
woul have fulnled their hard duties with cheerulness
ana zeal.
mat the government at Washington Of
McCle aus talents proved by the fact that when
rnusl, pressed aud alal the Command OF the Army
OF tho rot mac was ollie ed 70 Inn at time when that
all but ocstrusel and Washington itself Ia
DANCE. being captured by tho confederates Then,
Hha,l presenlly sse, mheu had the
rally The army which had been so terribly eta up at
Manassas, mary bold hero shrugged his shoulders
and kept .oof h. forward saviour OF hts
trys cause Oh the sad VOID caused by disastrous
defeat by prudence and deierminaiinn he succeed
cd Ia again forming amy. which, by It's extent
efficiency, created considerable alarm In the south But
the cneiny they had most cause 10 fear General
Mcclellan himself the a0est and best officer Of the Union,
whose military auaiHies commanded the respect OF his
opponents.
conrast to the scepess vigilance and activity Of
Mcclellan, we have curious account o. the merry
naknss the Incidence blunderng which preceded
10 the Army Of the Potnmac:--
MANASSAS
From The very comnencenent of operations tho Con.
fcderatos enjoyed decided ad eantage the of
intelligence. and ~ happened that while
accurately Informed ~ every projected movement u the