The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1864-06-25
TILE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA - GE,
ERALS SIGEL AND BUTLER.

From tie Ne,o York Daily Times, May 90
In our recent exposition of the almost uniger-
sal failure of civilian commanders in this war,
we reserved Judgment upon Major General
Sigei and Major General Butler, preferring to
await the issues Of the important enterprises in
which they were then engaged, The results
have now been developed. They are of a char
acter to round off completely demonstration
that all Of orr commanders, soifhom regular
military education, aTe incapable.
Major General Sigel had the advantage of
some military experience in Europe, but Of no
thorough scientific education. The skill evinced
by him in managing certain retreats IN the early
part of the war, gave the country high idea of
his military aptitude. He was transferred to
Virginia, aud served in the Pope campaign: but
it was soon shown that he was not equal to the
responsibility put upon him. The developments
in the Fitz John Porter trial made it clear that
there was q lack in Sigel Of the concentration of
purpose and the aggressive energy demanded BY
the juncture. This occasioned his being with
drawn from active command. To crafty his
German countfynen, we suppose. he was given
another trial in the present campaign. He was
sent with strong force to effect a junction with
Crook. break up the Virginia and East Tenues-
see Railroad, land If possible, seize and hold
Lynchburg. But IN the early stage of his movo-
ment he was suddenly set upon by Brecken-
ridge beaten, ana compelled TO retreat. He SO
decidedly failed in his enterprise that Major Gem
eTal Hunter was at once despatched to super
ssde him. We have now heard the last of Sigel
as d high commander in this war.
Major General Butler was entrusted with q
major generalslip in the earliest period Of the
war and sustained the first discontinue at Great
Bethel, about six weeks before Bull run. The
battle Of Great Bethel. however, was hardly a
test of his real generalship, as he was not per-
sonally present. That battle was planned by
Major Winthrop, as is proved by private memo-
randum of the latter, and was lost chiefly through
his early fall and the bunders Of certain colonels
But Major General Butler, perhaps justly, had
10 assume the responsibility Of it, and his public
service afterwards was mainly confined to ad-
minietrative duties until his present expedition
to the South of Richmond, the special designs
Of which were 10 destroy the Petersburg Rail-
road connection, 10 prevent Beauregard from
reinforcing Lee, and to threaten Petersburg and
Richmond. Tbs movement took the enemy
somewhat by surprise, and in its early stage was
quiie successful $50 much SO that Gen. Butler
teIegraphed to the War Department that aGen.
Grant will not be troubled with any further REM
forcement to Lee from Beauregard's forces. Z
But the prediction was not verified. Beaure-
gard. with bio army, passed Butler, and is now
IN Richmond
Butler advanced Ills army to the Notifications
Of Richmond on The south. Gen. Gilmore, with
the Tenth army corps, by great sk III and vaIor,
carried the western psrs Of tho works for an en-