Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-08-13
From the Memphis tAt'ants) Appeal, Sd inst.
Thu Cass GiEn. R- nIasrIan.

The chief absorbing question, both with the public
and the army of the Southwest at this time has refer
euce the disposition that is hereafter to be made OF
General Pemberton. The entire press of that ctior
is OuspOken in condemnation If the idea Of his relen
tion 10 command Of the Vicksburg army, and the
serious qnences apprebended, should the Pres
ident so dett rume. Whether General Pamberton real
" merits IT. cnsorious rebukes so freely and unver-
sally hurled agnst him, is not the question 10 ssue.
Be this it may, it cannot be dennd that be has Ell
TREY lost the cOn6d both OF tie army and people,
and would be suicidal to retain him longer in com
maDd OF that department.
The Missssippian is less virueut than most of the
Southwestern journals on this subject, and takes quite
calm and unimpassiUned view OF the Gaze, which,
however is the les forcjb!e that account sit
has become quite fashionable says that paper, for
The people and the press of the Conederacy heap
curses upon the devoted head of Gen. Psmberton.--
We not among these who believe his disicyalty,
though it has always been somewhat OF ehrt tor
to eXerc Sc the faith IN his al tor the south
which burned in the bosom of Jackson, Barksdae,
and other true hearted Soul Irons who were native
here and to the manor born"
Gen, Pemberton is q native OF Pennsylvania, a man
of orthern birth, and whatever m have been his
taordinary capacity as general, we never believed his
appointment people intensely Southern, and over
o department by far the most important in the Con
iederacy, the most fit that could be made. 1t was
made, however and the people Of Mississippi knowing
the tenacity OF President Davis made the best OF him.
he leading men OF the State and press We'd with each
officers of The army also, slrove to to him the
trust of Cur soldiers
AL would not do. We do not hesitate to say, now
that there is Lobing to lose by the assertion, that
General ever little ience of either the
army or the people as zen. Pember,on. And to this
simple fact may be attributed the mlsfortuuts which
iel upon the county through his It's fumenaliiy.
The President warntd OF the public feeling which
pervaded all classes toward General Pemb rlon, AID
urged to send N u in whom ell Could trust. Yet
Pemberton was retained and his work has been &C
compIished.
We have said tibet doubted the loyalty OF
General Pemberton but thu placing 10 bis charge the
key the Whole seeming valley OF The Mississippi
peculiarly 4te-lt act which has brought
upon all the'wOrst conkequel ces which feared
Had he been stralghtout uailor-had he been sent
especially to oesllo3 the counlry-bad it been really
his design sell The county, has been falls y charged
we do not see hoy be could have more eftcually
compIished the mission 'han by the way be managed
Tue, he had al insufficency OF lien 10 cope with
Grant, but this certainly not sufficient reason
that be should sacrifice the small band be had by send
ing them 10 detached divisions to be overwhelmed
and crushed in detai done at Grand Cult Ray
mond and jackson, previous to the investment OF
Vcksburg Alter suf ring the enemy TO land at Grand
Cult and after having permitted small forces OF two or
three thousand to be driven before the volume of the
enemy, whose very momentum was sufficient TO crush
small bands and waiting until Grant had tcurtd
q good position the Big Black be moves out, and
was OF course most soupdly thrssh>d. Thus was his
whole army suffered to be whipped in detail and driven
to its strong hold at Vlcksburg greatly demorazed.
We have learned from members of the garrison that
when army tell back from Bakers Greek, the SOL
diers we're completely dspEited, and bat for the cd.