Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-08
ANOTHER NORTHERN BOOK ON THE WAR. {


ANOTHER NORTHERN BOOK ON THE WAR.
Criticisms Of Grant, Nc C2elian, Hatiech,
&C., Compliments Of Ice and Jackson.
Mr.. William Swinton, army correspond
ent of the New York Times, has published
book entitled "Campsigus of the Army
of the Potomac"-it being critical his
tory of that army's operations in Virginia,
Maryland and Pennsylvania from The be-
ginning to the close of the war. The book
has not yet come to hand here but wo find
some interesting extracts from it in
critique by the Times editor, which may
prove interesting to our readers. "Gen.
Lee (says tho 7ines) receives ample share
of praise for gcneralship. Gen. Grant is
SET lower down than the popular judgment
is disposed to put him. Due credit, how
ever, is given in his self possession and tc.
nacity" After The Wilderness, Mr.. Swim
ton says:
"Iherc is much in that commanders
temper that recalls the old marshal whom
| his soldiers named "Marshal Forwarts )
and as B!ucher, in the great campaign in
France, that ended in the capitulation Of
| Napoleon, would hear Of nothing but
marching straight on Paris, SO Grant, his
eyes fixed immovably on Richmond as the
goal of all his efforts, the prize ho resolved
to seize through whatever seas of blood
he might have TO wade, pronounced the
magisteriul word 'Forwardr When dark.
ness came tho columns began their march
for Spotsylvania."
Ills conclusion with regard to Mcclellan
is remarkable:
Gle was assuredly not great general ;
for he had the pedantry Of war rather than
the inspiration of war. His talent was
emlnently that of the Cabinet; and his
proper place was in Washington, where he
should have remained as General-in.C Chief.
Here his ability to plan campaigns and
form large strategic combinations, which
was remarkable, would have had full scope;
and he would have been considerate and
helpful TO those in the field. But his pow
er as tactician was much inferior to his
talent as strategist, and lie executed less
boldly than he conceived; not appearing to
know well those counters with which =
commander must work-time, place and
circumstances. Yet he was improving in
this regard, and was like Turenne. OF
whom Napoleon said that he was the only
example of general who grew bolder as
he grew older. + # OF him it NAV
be said that if he does not belong to that
foremost category of commanders made
up of those who have always been success
iul, and including but a few illustrious
names, neither does he rank with that nu-
mercus class who have ruined their armies
without fighting. IIe ranges with that
middle category of meritorious command.
ers who, like Sertorious, Wallenstein and
William of Orange, generally unfortunate
IN war, yet were, in tho words of Mar
mount "never destroyed or discouraged :;
but were always able to oppose menacing
front, and make the enemy pay dear for
what he gained"
OF one of his favorites, Stonewall Jack.
son, Mr.. Swinton, describing his fall al
Charlottesville, writes:
GAS the dying Napoleon is recorded to
have murmured, '7ete d'aymace,' so Jack.
son, his unconscious mind still busy with
the mighty blow he was executing when
wounded, breathed out his life in the order
A. P. Hill prepare for actionw
"Thus died Stonewall Jackson, the ablest
OF Lees lieutenants. Jackson was essen.
TALLY an executive officer, and, in this
sphere, he was incompatible. Devoid of
high mental parts, and destitute of that
power of planning and combination, and of
that calm, broad, military intellect, which
distinguished General Lee, whom he re.
garded with childlike reverence, and
whose designs he loved to carry out, be
had yet those elements of character that,
above all else, inspire troops. A fanatic
in religion, fully believing he was destined
by Heaven to beat his enemy whenever he
encountered him, he infused something of
his own fervent faith into his men and at
the time of his death had trained corps,
whose attacks in column we're unique and
irresistible; and it was noticed that Lee
ventured upon no strokes Of audacity after
Jackson had passed away"
Against Genera! Halleck, Mr.. swinton