The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-21
Military Inspirations.

"
all his plans, pre- -alzanged all his combi-
la lions, given to all his subordinates de-
ta led instructions, and, with forecast
Mmost s1rpelhuman, provided as nearly
as ne can for every possibility, it never
fails to be the case that much depends
apon what we venture to call happy in
spiratieps" of Subordinate commanders
in the moment od conflict. There is no
war, there is scarcely single battle, which
does not illustrate this. Such for exam
pie, was the ready return of Desaix from
Now to Marepso as soon as his practiced
ear caught the sollies of the First Consul 8
battle. Before Napoleon could send,
De,aix followed his instinct, was making
a forced march and he arrived just in
tiRne;to save tie day. General" said
the Eirst Consul, "the battle is lost. :"
MeI,ss had won the field, and had turned
over the pursuit OF the French to his
G,iefof-S Staff, General Zach. "Sir, re-
piled Desaix, taking out his watch, Sc it
is not four o'clock there is time to win
another" And 50 the battle was won.
Thewant OF just sncA 8 spirit lost Water.
loo. Jon>ini places among the three grand
causes tG defeat the ncn-arrival oi
GroucEy, even though Blucher had escap-
ed Linn, -
Et was The happy inspiration OF Richie
panse at the battle OF Hoheniinden, after
his 2ivis; cn WAS cut IN two by the Aus
trian left wing, taat led him to fall with
.one-half oni the rear of the grand column
of the A Isstriars Moreau has had the
glory in history, hut Richepanse won the
battle. Marmont's testimony is valuable
and deci slRe on this point "Such good
fortune, he says, twas not due to the
disposit; ons of General Moreac. General
Richie pa nse. man of talent and courage,
finding ais div sion surrounded by Aus
trian ire ops, faced them i'll every direc-
ton, an posse ssed himself with hun
dred pi, ces of cannon, which were march
ing over the causewag."
It was due to MeMahon, the command
er of the Second Corps of the Army of
the Alps, that the French were successful
at Mage nta He chsrged at an oppor-
tune me naent without orders, and for his
success 1e was made Marshal of France,
and Dull ;e of Magenta We can hardly
take up, n battle in European annals
which dc esinot contain u striking exam
pile. 70
But to come down to our own times
and people. Here We;shan fld our SUBJ
ject more frequently Illustrated by the
want of this inspiration than by exhibi-
tions OF it. Had General Patterson push
ed forward to Manassas-or bsen able to
do so-in a line parallel with Johnston s
retiring colullns, to the first baStle of Bull
Bun, the day would nod have been lost !;
and the rebel,ery, at the moment of their
despair, "Ki1by Smith Is coming with
30, U0D men !" would soon give way to the
d.lmb ss s:onisbanent at nading that officer
confronted by u new army on our own
side
1t seems to be concealed thst could
General Mcdowell have flown to- tine
sound of McClellan's cannon on the first
day, or of Gaines Mill on the second of
the great week ofbatties, the issue mlght
have been very different. IS venture to
say" says Col. Estvan, of the confed er-
ate Army land our readers rnay give what
credence they viii to bis Judgement,
8. that if MeCIellan had received the sup
port that was promised him, he might |
have given crushing blow TO the Con-
This support lay in Mellow
III on the north, and Burnside, at Fort /
Monroe and Newport News. There were
! hundred times i'll that memorable week
vhen suecor from both would have carri.
d Richmond, even after our retreat had
,eeun. At least this is Row the acknowl-
,dgm ent of the rebels themselves. The
lirections for these so-cailed happy in
pirations are often, the most simple. -
.mong them are If you have nothing
f great importance to do, fly to the sound
f cannon. Nelson's final order att az ,
alsar to his Captains was" Every Cap c
ain will he doing his duty if hotly en- g
aging the enemy The spirit and al ]
1ost Ike lette: is the same now, and for Il