The weekly union record., 1865-04-08
Military Talent in the War.


The following review of the principal Union
and rebel Generals who have participated 10
the present war, is from the Army and Navy
Journal. The comparisons between the differ
ent Generals are interesting at this time:
The Confederate cause once so proud and
defiant now so sadly humbled, seeks to escape
total destruction. The great cause of this
change in the aspect of affairs We do not con-
slider to be, as is often alleged the exhaustion
of the military resources OF the South. We do
not even trace it to the numerical superiority
of the Northern armies. We believe it arises
chiefly from the development on our part of
military talent which was in o dormant, or, at
all events in a subordinate position, at the
commencement of the war. A comparison
between the characteristics of the leading
Generals who have appeared on either side
will illustrate, perhaps, the correctness Of this
opinion, and will show that it does not rest on
mere assertion.
Lee, the Confederate Commander-in Chief,
and Grant our own Lieutenant General, afford
ample material for our first parallel. Neither
of these Generals is as remarkable for his bril-
liant as for mis- sound and Trustworthy qualities
Both of them have evidently great faith in the
Napoleooic doctrine that victory rests with the
strongest battalions. Both OF them have great
endurance and uuconquerable determination,
and they owe to these qualities much of their
respective successes An intelligent criticism
of the present Richmond campaign will illus
trate this fact. There is no doubt that Grants
original intention was to turn Lees right flank
and cut him off from Richmond and then to
pass round the city on the west, connecting
with base TO be established by General Butler
at Bermuda Hundred. Lees determined attack
at the Wilderness frustrated this plan On the
other hand, there can be no doubt that Lee
confidently expected 10 drive Grant back across
the Rapidan in three days, and so stated to
some of his Generals who subsequently fell into
our hands. Here he was equally foiled.
After the first Bull Run, the positions now
occupied by Grant and Lee were held by Nc.
Ciellan and Joe Johnston respectively. Be
tween these men, also, great parallel exists
No two meu in the ranks of the old regular
army were considered to have exhibited more
military talent than these. In organizing and
disciplining troops, and in the great attribute
of inspiring confidence in their followers, they
were both unequaled. If they have compare.
lively failed as Generals, it is rather from
knowing too much than from knowing too little
maneuver what others have accomplished by
force-and too anxious never to give or receive
battle except with such strong probabilities of
success as The great equality, not only Of mum
bers and organization, but of race aud morale,
between our contending forces, has rarely
permitted commanders TO count on.
When these distinguished tacticians failed,
the one 10 Virginia, the other in Georgia, to
accomplish all that the clamors Of the people
demanded, they were succeeded-the one
directly, the other after an intervening COM
mander-by two so called fighting Generals,
Hooker asd Hood No better corps com
manders could possibly be found, no more
determined men iu assault or defense, no men
more thoroughly characterized by personal
bravery approaching to recklessness. Both
possessed good capacities for maneuverDg
troops, as shown by Hood in his late invasion
of Tennessee, and by Hooker in bis naueuvers
before Charlottesville and in his march from
Fredericksburg 10 Gettysburg. Yet both
faied where they were least expected to fail
10 not being able 10 handle large army as
they had handled corps. If Johnston and
Mcclellan fought too little, aSsuredy Hooker
and Hood have fought too much
The South look upon Stonewall Jackson
with more venerstion and respect than any
other of their commanders, except Lee His
great merits were his executive ability. his
determined lighting. and his admirable handling
OF isolated forces on the small scale which was
assigned to him In all these respects, however.
we think either Sheridan. Hancock or Warren
very much his parallel. The comparison could
be traced in some curious particulars between
these three Union officers and the famous Con
federste General. Warren, for example, has
often eyinced combination Of dash and sound
Judgment, and a careful attention TO details
which remind one Of jackson
To Sherman We can afford no parallel in the
history of this or any other modern war, An
abler tsctician than Joe Johnston, whom he
outmaueuvered from field to field as determined
o fighter, when the necessity arises as either
Hooker or Hood; as good an executive officer,
when under Grant, as jackson, Meade or
Warren, be has shown. 10 the combinations of
his last campaign, a strategical ability uppsr-
alleled since the days Of Napoleon. His able
government Of Savannah exhibits sound
Judgment and prudence which, combined with
his other unequaled excellences, make him the
greatest soldier the American people have ye,
produced.