New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-04-23
! Freaks Of Fortune.
~ Trrcrn flaa Selma Timezl | i.

he best laid schemes Of mice and men gang
vis agiee.r the profoundest combinations are
often made unAvailing by chance events which can
" gaarded against BY % human foresight The
1Ate of communities, the destiny of nations, are
he play things of fortune. The words of the fool
may c0nfound the wisdom Of the Statesman. The
ignorance or unfaithfulness Of courier may
thwnrt the plans of the general. A. sentence
lightly uttered in club room has suggested
thongbts that were destined to fill the hearts of AZ
nation The consequences of th0ughtless act
may perchance reach to the latest generation, and
1II the world with joy or grief. There is nothing
title.
TWO weeks ago, Senator Stewart was scarcely
known outside of the Senate chamber. A res0lu-
lion, probably put into his hands by another, and
offered without thought Of its Importance, has
made him famous; and that unconsdered action
nf an obscure man may yet, possibly vii, mark
nnepoch in our political history. aYss8ay !.
4 James Ill. ScovilI absolutely unknown outside
cf New Jersey ten days ago, was, BY d combina-
hon of circumstances that could have been neither
Ioreseen nor provided against, placed in posi-.
hon where the welfare or even the existence of
tile republic depended on his word and to day
his name is in the mouth of every citizen of
American
" Other examples in our recent experience may
be quoted but the thoughts we have expressed
we're suggested by lately recorded event in the
late war; which has just fallen under our OBJ
acrvAtiop. III 4s IN #5Sig. v
Ii i Known that the Federal forces at the battle
Of Shiloh we're completely rotued on Sunday, and
utterly deInoralized by the results Of that days
fighting, and that only the opportune arrival Of
Cen Bnell with reinforcements saved 1t from utter
destfuc tien.
Circumstances have. called forth q letter from
init distinguished officer in which his movements
preceding that terrible struggle, which had been
subjected to unfiendly criticism,.are explained
d From that We learn that the Federal command
es did not expect to be attacked in their position
II Pittsburg Landing; that they were concentrating
their forces there 70. gressive moyenents that
to tliis end Gen. Buell., under the orders Of Gen,
5000 men, from Nashville; that on the 4th Of
April Gen. Grant sent q dispatch to Gen. Nelson,
commanding the advance Of this column. telling
him not TO hasten his march, as he could not com-
Mence crossing the river until Tuesday, the 9th /;
and that ON the 5th Gen. Haileck, from st. Louis,
autographed an order to Gen. Buell. u mass his
forces 1t Waynesborough, some thirty miles from
Pittsburg Landing. -r5s
This last order miacarried, and its miscarriage
decided the result Of the battle and possibly the
fate Of the war. &, II sss ~. ~
Not receiving It, General Buell. passed directly
Through Waynesborough, and reached Savannah,
with the head Of his column on Saturday evening.
Had II bsen received Il would have been obeyed;
and with biz forces on Sunday morning at Waynes.
losougA. hH could not have saved Gen. Grant and
~ aFiny On Monday. Y 4 ~, WI
% liscsrriage II fhst order saved Gen. Grant
30 ~ ARM. tnEned . Confederate victory into
4e5eat, hwlrtsd ~ val matured plans Of Gen.
6adnsy gahpston, sscrfsd Tenn ssee sto the Fed
esalas and enAngsd ~ Hhale plan Of the Western
campaign r. ~ yssk ysriliy .sss z..
- 4 ts:..lsy ~ s..s:s or sads.