Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-05-23
A REBEL HISTORY OF THE WAR.
penunci ations OF jeff. Davis aud his Ga b

AREBEL HISTORY OF THE WAR.
| penunciations OF jeff. Davis aud hi Cab.
met.
Mr.. &. B. Richardson has Just published n
| literary curiosity-a History of the War of the
Reeellion-written by a Virginia rebel, and
printed and published some months ago in
| Richmond. Mr.. Pollard, the author wrote
| several years ago Il book, which he called
"Rlack Diamonds as an autidote 10 Mrs
| Stoves Uncle Tom. His style there was NOR
| remarkable Ter vigor than for elegance; and we
| perceive no Improvement or change in that
| respect Ill The present volume. He complains
| that
"The honest record which he has atteupted
/! Of the ruth OF history has been encountered by
! many unjust, ignorant and contemplate criti-
| cismS, eInanating mainly from fay yorites of the
| government and literary slatterns in tire de-
/! l,ar!ments. The az thor has made no attemnt
10 conciliate either these Creatures or their mus
ter>; lie is not in the habit of tnadyng TO great
| men, and conrting such public bawds as of
| GciaP newspapers; he is under no obligations
10 any nam living TO fiater him, TO tell lies or
| 10 aha'e anything from the honest convictions
| OF has mind. He proposed to write an indf-
rcBGent history of of the events Of the ex-
1 is,;Hg war. He is willing 1or thus work TO be
Judged by The strctest rule OF truth: he asks no
1ayors tor Ii, in point of accuracy; he only pro-
| ."stS against u rule oi criticism which eXalts
| paid paneSyri2 above honest truth. and re-
| duces The level OF the historian TO that OF the
scrubs and scrlbbleTs who write poetry and
puls III newspaper corners.
The GatteCer's idea OF the history OF the
pyrscn, war would no doubt oe 10 plaster the
Government with praise; to hide ali the fisults
Of the people OF the South while gliding their
Sirtues: TO make for q con sderation, sesnecial
mention of all the small trash in the army: TO
ccat his pufs thickly with fine writing and
tremendous adlectlyes and to place over the
whole painted an0 glided. mass OF taiseho3d the
figure O. Mr.. Jefferson Davis, as the second
baniPl come 10 Judgment. The author has
20 ambition 70 crafty in these literary ele-
.anCleS..
IN raa6 in
Just such praises OF the superior activity Of the
"Lncolni government and abuse OF the neglect.
Sloh and indecsiou of the rebel leaders. as Will
remind every reader OF similar praises OF rebel
activity and daring, and abpse of our Govern
lnents Sicwncss and indeci-ion with which
tae press OF tlTe free States has teemed Thus
ne writes:
"In the progress of the history of the war we
shall meet with frequent repetiuons OF the les
on OF how the lnprovidcnt spirit of the South
~ placing small forces in Isolated localities
was taken advantage OF by the quick strategic
movements and The overwhelming numbers Of
the North
And again he speaks OF the North as ga
nation which has given nnqueStionable proofs
OF qniclI and abundant resource, mental actiy-
itY and uDfagging hope
On page l57 Ye find this remarkable acknowl-
edgemenJ:
Upon the election of Abraham Lincoln the
Border States were unwilling tc rush into dis
solution until every hope OF q peaceful settle
ment CT the question had vanished. This was
the position of Missouri, to whose convention
rot single secessionist was elected. Gov.
Price was elected from his district as Union
man, without opposition, and on the assem-
bling OF the con vention was chosen its Pres
IGent."
Mr.. Pollard's account OF the battle of Bul,
Run is the best tribute yet paid to the bravery
of troops there. He admits that if it had
not been for the arrival OF those rein forcemonts
which Patterson ought to have engaged, the
rebel army would have been beaten.
/ COMPLAINTS OF THE REBELs
He thus compares the merits OF the Govern
ment and of the rebel leaders:
1.-THE Washington Government was actual
fy collecting an army of half q million Of men.
The Richmond Congress replied to the threat
of numbers by increasing its army, on paper,
to four hundred thousand men; and the Con-
federate Government i'll the midst of Il reyolu-
ton that threatened its existence, continued to
rely on the wretched shift of twelve months
volunteers and raw militia, with O population
that, by the operation OF CONSUMPTION, could
have been embodied and drilled into an invin-
chile army, competent not only TO oppose in
Vasion at every point OF our frontier, but 10
conquer peace in the dominionS OF the enemy.
1.-The universal mind and energy of the North
had been consolidated in it's war upon the
South. The patriotism of the nation was
broadly invoked; no clique arrogatad and mo.
nopoliZed Ihe control of affairs; no fayorite
closed up against the million outside the ave
nues of patronage, of honor, and of promotion.
IL was remarkable circumstance, that the
North had, al all stages of the war, dopted the
best means for securing specific results
He charges the loss of Roanoke Island upon
Mr.. Benjamm then Rebel Secretary OF War.
He says:
1.-The public were, at least, not prepared for
such all exhibition of trust aud honor as was
given Mr.. benjamin by the President, in actu-
ally promoting him after the developments OF
the Roanoke Island disaster and giving him the
place in his Cabinet of Secretary of State
Whatever may have been the merits OF thus act
Of The President, it was at least one OF ungraci-
Gus and reckless defiance OF The popular senti-
ment, and from the marked event of the sur
render OF Roanoke Island and its consequences,
we must date the period when tho people had
their confidence weakened in The Governments
and found other repose for their trust than
etism OF the troops in the field -
In another passage he speaks OF
TIA President with one hand sacrificing two
brave officers who had contributed to the
connTy's glory and safety in more than one
victory, for military punctilio, and with the
other elevating TO the highest office in his gift
man who, as Attorney General, Secretary of
War, and, at last, Secretary OF State, seemed 10
enjoy the monopoly of the lucre and honors of
State, and who had been charged, by the Off
cial report or General in the field, and by the
deliberate and unanimous verdict of conn.,
nli.tee of Congress, with the plain aud exeln-
sive responsibility of the disaster OF Roanoke
Island"
CHARACTER eFJEeF. DAVIS.
This Rebel historian claims as victories many
tended the Rebel arnls.s but admits his cause
has received deadly IL not irreparable blows
On the whole he gives bus sorry picture of
the condition of affairs md Goes not hesifate TO
GencuEee bcth the admini alton OF Jet. Davis