Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-11-10

Wa copy the following from the Richmond Wing.
So much has recently been said for and against Gene raj
Early but chiefly against him, that suppose some
account of him and bis of antecedents will not be
ceptabe Il is evidently the uterance Of friend and
admiTer OF the General, but do not object to it on
that account Both sides should be heard and at all
tmes but especially in these, the unavourable side is
too often repeated while the favourable Ia hardly listen
ed to even the first time 8
aZIEUP. GENERAL JUBAL A. EARLY.
This well known officer is ViEginian by birth, and
county. He graduated at West Point where he was a
cotel0porary of Meade, Thomas, Hooker and other
prominent Generals of the United States and our own
army. Leaving West Point he served as Lieutenant
of Artillery in the United States Army and went in
that capacity to the Florida war; in the same company
with General Robert Andereou of Sumter notoriety.
Resignng his commission at the close OF the war, he
devoted himself to the law but when hostltes with
Mexico were declared, be resumed bis sword, and was
appointed Major Of Colonel Hamramck's regiment by
Governor Smith, who then, as he is now, Chief
Magistrate of Virginia. 1t ID remarkable that the tx
ecutiVe who commissioned him Major was after the
lapse Of near twenty years, Brgader General in DIS
Division III Mexico Major Early had 10 opportunity
to win distinction bis regiment engaged in none
of the battles, AID the only connection in which his
naIe appears ct all prominent is as Military Governor
of onterey. The ended, Early returned to the
Bar, and to distinction as lawyer OF the cearest
judgment and mCs fertile resources OF logic lie aim
success by of the arts and eegancies OF ora
tory but by plain and pointed argument delivered with
remarkable peCepicuity and force.
No man 10 bis section of country enjoys higher re-
putation. AS politician, Early exercises control
ing in1enca the people of bis district and has more
than once represented them in the Legislature He
also member Of the Virginia OonveniVn that dissol-
we'd the connection of the State with the Federal Gov
eminent, ard with George w. Summers, John Bal4-
win and others, leading opponent OF secession
but, when the last hope Of honorable compromise ex-
pred be cast bis fortunes with the State and gi1ded
on bis armor for war to the death. Receiving from
Gov Lecher the commission OF Colonel be took the
field at the head of tie 24h Virginia Infantry, and
ioined the army at Manassas Junction. Before this,
however, be rendered valuable service in organizing the
State forces Hhjch rendevoused at Lynchburg.
Col Early, os senior officer, commanded brigade at
Manassas ard bis command constituted a part of the
force that arrived near Stone Bridge towards the close
of tie day, and just in time to give the finishing stroke
to The dsordercd ard flying foe. Soon after he became
Brigader General, and the next battle in which he
appears vas that of Williamsburg, where be was Sc
vcrciy wounded wble leading one of the most gallant
charges OF the war The enemy. IN nlludng to the 10
trepduy OF part of bis Brigade, said that Immor-
tality - should be inscribed on their banners.
Returning to duty while his wound was yet unhealed
be arrived on the field while the troops being form
ed for the charge % Malvern Hill, and General E zay
having beeD wcunded, he assigned to bis brigade.
Since that time Gen Early has been present in every
battle Ct the famous Second Corps and may be- truly
said that be has been in hearing of ~ gun fired by
his command. His brigade Participated with great
credit the battle of Cedar Rur in the terrible fights
in the Railroad Cuts at Manessas and then at Harpers
Ferry ard Sharpsburg. While bis brigade was enga-
se0 ia fierce struggle left, at the last named
battle be was suddenly called to command Ewels d.
vision By the fall Of its commander, Gen. Lawton and
the skiiu manner which he handled bis new command
elected praise from General Jackson. Soon after the
6rst battle of Fredericksburg, Early was promoted to
Major GeLeralcy, and subs q1enuy, while Lee fought
Hooker at Charlottesville he held against Sedgwick s
corps the loGg line extending from Fredericksburg to
Hamlton's Crossing. At Winchester Early's division
fanked and charged the Notifications of Mroy and
captured the towa.
On an occasion soon after The battle, when EwelI and
Early and other general officers discussing the
events of the day, citizen approached the group
With present for General Eweil, whom be term
ed the Hhro of Winchester" Give it to General
Early, said the generous Ewell he is the Hero of
Winchester"
In the Pennsylvania campaign, E.ry's command
went far North the Suaquehannah and returning
to the main body, arrived at most fortunate moment
while the first days Hattie at Gettysburg was at its
height. Without moments halt, Esrly threw his
troops into line the enemys flank, and their charge
s-cured that splendid and promising victory. General
Early entered Gettysburg with the fret, and urged
continued advance upon the enemy who had retired to
Cemetery Hill in disordered and demoralized condi-
ton. His counsel did not prevail and the result of the
delay is known to the country. Last winter when
Averi made bis raid the Tennessee Railroad, en-.
Lee selected Early to oppose him and the willy Yankee
barely escaped to his stronghold 1t stated that but
fer miscarriage of orders his entire forco would have
been captured.
Early asaiu commanded his Division at the Wilder
nes5 and just previous to the battle of Spottsylvania
General Lee assigned him to Hills Corps that officer
oelng u0ft for duty; and it is we'll known that Of
the best fights ever made By the Sd Corps was under
his direction
When General EweIl was relieved OF the command of
the "a corps on account CT disability Early became the
Lieutenant General, and his services at its head are
fresh II the memory of the country.
APPEARANCE.
General Early is about six feet high, and but for
stoop OF the shoulder caused by rheumatism would be
of fine fig He is about SO years ofage apparently
well preserved, and person who would be singled out
in crowd. A large white felt hat, ornamented by a
dark feather, and immense white, tued cloth over
cCat extending to the hees, give him striking and
unique appearance. His face is remarkable and none
gould be expressive of perinacty and resolution
1.-The will 10 do-the soul to dare,' Enthusiastically
stamped every neam and expressed in every ea
t0re The massive head the broad high forehead the
dark piercing eye the we'll cut nose the compressed
lips and the thick set jaws are characters n which
tUra has written safreliance and ip1exble determine
tion.
MILITARY CHARACTER
General Early enjoys the implicit cor iience of his
troops, and they stand in awe of his person. They
obey him not much from affection as from fear that
bis keen eye will seek out their Offences and that his
sternness will bring them to punishment He is a man
generally OF few words austee in his bearing and not
very approachahe to strangers.
There is nothing OF the " sd captandum in bis
character. He has an abundance of the fortiter in
re but little Of the Sc suaviter in modo."
There is probably officer in our army who can bet
md ic IF