Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-26
The Generals and Mr.. DAVIS.


The following interesting opinions of
Federal and Confederate Generals, by
Mr.. Davis, are from the book Of DR.. Cra-
ven, from which we made an extract yes
terday:
To my question what he thought of
Gen. Grant, Mr.. Davis replied that he
was n great soldier beyond doubt, but of
new school If he had not started
with an enormous account in bank, his
checks would have been dishonored be-
fore the elimination was reached. AT
Shiloh he was defeated the first day, and
would have been destroyed or compelled
TO surrender next morning, but for
Buelrs timely arrival with fresh and
well disciplined reinforcement, the
strength of which had been variously
stated. When Secretary of War, he
thought Mcclellan the ablest officer in
the army, and had employed him on
two important services-as Military
Com missioner in the Crimea, and to ex-
plore a route for the Pacific railroad
both of which duties had been discharged
in manner to increase his reputa-
ton. He organized the Army of the
Potomac admirably, but it required a
commander of more dash to WELD the
weapon in the field. Mcclellan caution
amounted very closely to timidity, moral
timidity, for he was personally brave
On his first landing in the Peninsula
there had been only 1000 troops to meet
him, and these he should have rushed
upon end overwhelmed at whatever cost
Cautious, and wishing to spare the blood
of his men, he commenced a regular
siege at Yorktown, giving his enemies
time to concentrate sufficient numbers
and drive him back AS magnanimous
enemy he respected Mcclellan, but
thought he had been promoted too rap
idly for his own good-before he had
ripened in command and gained the eX-
perience requisite for the supreme posi-
ton. Had he been kept in a subordinate
capacity the two first years Of the war,
rising from a division to a corps, and
thence to command in chief, he would
have been the greatest of our soldiers.
He had the best natural gifts and highest
intellectual training, and was just be-
coming fitted, and the best fitted, for his
position when removed. Had he been
supported by the Government he might
have taken Richmond two years ear
lier, and it was with joy Mr.. Davis
heard of his removal after the battles of
South Mountain and Antietam. Such
sacrifices of officers to the Ignorance of
an unwarlike people, anxious to find in
him scapegoat for their own lack of
discipline or endurance, were unavoida-
BILE in the early stages of every popular
war Pope, while Secretary of War, he
had never been able TO make serviceable,
and Pope held his own gallantly. His
mind was not less inflated than his body, |
He was kind of American gascon, but |
with good scientific attainments Sum
ner and Sedgewick we're gallant and |
able soldiers-excellent commanders in |
action, courteous and reliable in all the
relations of life. Hunter, Of whom i |
asked him specially as one Of my old
was his beau ideal of the |
military conference.-the soul of integ-
rity, intrepidity, true Christian piety
and honor. Mr. Davis had long been
associated with him, both in the ser
vice aud socially, and believed Hun
ter's want of success due in great
measure to his unwillingness to
bend to anything mean or sinister He
was rash, impulsive; man OF action
rather than thought; yielding to pas
sions which he regarded as divine in
stincts or institutions-the natural tenn
per of devotee or fanatic OF the otfi-
GERS on the Confederate side, Mr.. Davis
spoke in high terms Of Gen. Lee as a
great soldier and pure Christian gentle
man; also in praise Of Bragg and Penn
berton, though the two latter, from un-
avoidable circumstances and the hostil-
ity of the party opposed TO Mr.. Davis,
had not been accorded the position due
10 their talents by public opinion of
either section. Pemberton made splen-
did defense of Vicksburg, and might
have been relieved if the officer COM
handing the army sent TO relieve him
Gen. JOhnston) had not failed to obey
he positive orders to attack Gen. Grant
which Mr.. Seddon, then Secretary of
War. had sent If the same officer, who
was upheld in command by the anti
party, had vigorously
attacked Sherman at Atlanta when di-
-ected. the fortunes Of war would have
been changed, and Sherman hurled back
% Nashville. over sterile and wasted
retreat little less dis
,strous than Napoleon's, from Mos