The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-24
The following communication from a
member Of the New Orleans bar, we
copy from the Picdy,me.

The following communication from a
member Of the New Orleans bar, we
copy from the Picay,me.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 10, 1856.
To the Editors of the Picayt5s.
Gentlemen-In the Crescent of the 18th inst. there ap-
peared d communication from Major Gen. L. II. Sheridan,
evoked by u letter addressed by Lieut.. Gen. Early to the
editor Of the New York DAILY Neaos, respecting the NUM-
bers ofthe Confederste troops engaged IN the Valley cam.
paigns OF Virginia. Gen. Sheridan, 1 am persuaded,
would do Justice TO no one more especially TO an oppon
eat, whom he has defeated. And yet the STRUCTURES upon
Gen. Early's letter, in the article Just mentioned, by Gen
Sheridan, place the former officer In the unenviable atti-
tude of a willing falsifer Of history.
In Justice to Gen. Early, allow me TO say a word.
Gen. sheridan's statement of facts is, of course, correct.
From A ugnst 4, 1864, to March LIST, 1865, Ihsve no doubt
that about 1900 Confederate prisoners were taken in the
Valley of Virginia.
Notwithstanding this fact. know, of my own personal
knowledge, that Gen. Earlys statement il also correct
when he states that he had about $500 muskets 10 the
| second engagement with Gen. Sheridan. | was a staff
officer for four years. the Army Of \ Northern Virginia. ]
was a division staff officer, ID Army Corps, under Gen
| Early's command from the time the I'd Corps was de
tachcd from the Army of Northern Virginia, June, 1868
the time it was ordered to Petersburg, December, 1854
was present at the battles OF Winchester. Fishers Hill
and Cedar Greek. / know from the Official reports that
myself made, and from actual observation at reviews
drills, inspections in camp aud on the march, the eifee
five strength of every brigade and division o~finfantr,
under Ger. Early's command. OF the cavalry and artil
lery / cannot speak so authoritatiyely. And ] can there
fore assert, with confidence, that IN no one OF the action
above mentioned, did Gen. Early carry nine Thousand
o,OOO) men Infantry into the fight.
The prisoners $4,000 taken by Gen. Sheridan wer,
taken from the department over which Gen. Early wa
sopposed the nominal command. In these are to be in
Guided, of course, all the struggling cavalry that infeste'
the Valley of Virginia, n greater terror to their friend
than their foes the guerillas. made up of deserters AM
skulkers from the Array of Northcrn Virginia the fol
aging details sent out to supply that army with foragt
teamsters. lahoreis, detailed men ofthe qusltermaste
and commissary departments, all of whom were legiti
mate prisoners, as they were enlisted men : the hanger
on of the medical department; privates absent on fur
louphs. captured In their homes and the disabled me
that followed the army adding nothing to its ehectiv
strength rather than remain in the hospitals they ha
been ordered.
OF the casualties Of Gen. Early's army, in the engag,
ments of Winchester, Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek, tn
aggregate was not 1000 flour thousand). The casualtis
of the action of Wsyaesb0ro, which occurred after the 2
Corps had arrived at Petersburg. and when Gen. Earl
had Command of Wharton's division alone of Confedera,
troops. and some Home Guards, l cannot speak. b.
from the description of the action given mo by officers
Gen. EaTlyis staff who were present, there was not enoue
fighting on the Confederate side 10 Il Justify many bein
killed or wounded. SO that Gen. S~heridan's %suppositio
of inference, not his statement, that Gen. Early's losses
killed and wounded equaled, If they did not surpass h
own, is not sustained by my knowledge of the facts.
Gen. Sheridan and Gen. Early are both capable M
brave officers and honorable men. Neither wonld NAL
statement which he did not believe to be correct. Al
that which at first may appear an irroconcilable diff
J ence in their respective repoHs, on a comparison Of d
cial papers, and tie evidence of parties III u situation
furnish the facts of the campaigns, which are now immt
tai, will show to be consisteptand harmonious: and unit
will supply the most valuable Of all materials for the
2 ture historian.