The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-12
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JUBAL "A. EARLY.

JUBAL A. EARLY.
His Memoirs OF the Last Year OF the War
Sentiments Of one who can neither Forget
nor Learn Anything.
Below ws give the preface to the book written
by General JuBAL A. EARLY, and privately printed
for him at Toronto. Tho titlo page bears the fol-
lowing:
GA Memoir Of the Last Year Of the War for In
dependence in the Confederate States of America,
containing account Of the operations Of his
commands in the years 1864 and 1855, by Iieuten.
ant-deneral Jubal A: Early, Of tho Provisional
the memory of the heroic dead who fell fighting
for liberty, right and justice. Dec Vandice' To-
ronto."
Tho Richrnnnd Enquirer, from which we quote
the preface, states that but limited number of
copies were printed, and that none are for sale.
PREFACE.
Under q solemn sense OF duty to my unhappy
country, and to the brave soldiers who fought
under mo, as we'll as to myself the following pages
When the question Of practical secession from
the United States arose, citizen of the State Of
by the authority of the Legislature Of that State
opposed secession with all the ability possessed,
with the hope that the horrors Of civil wac might
be averted and that q returning sense OF duty and
justice on the part of the masses Of tho Northern
States would induce them to respect the rights of
Lne people OF Cho SOuCn. W0ue SOmo Northern
politicians and editors, who subsequently took
rank among the most unscrupulous and rindictive
OF our enemies, and now hold me to be traitor
aud encouraging secession, I was aboring honestly
aad earnestly to 3 PrepseEye tpa the union:
by thnt body, with the hope that, even then tho
collision of arms might be avoided: and some sat
lsfactory adjustment arrived at. Tho adoption of
that ordinance wrung from me bitter tears Of
grief; but at once recognized my duty to abide
tae decision of my native State, and to defend her
have Entertained ITO tho right Of secession wore
soon dispeled by the mad, wicked and unconstitu-
tional measures Of the authorities at Washington
and the fenZied clanor Of the people Of the North
f,r war upon their former brethren of the South.
then, and ever since have, regarded Abraham
traitors who had overthrcwn tho Constitution and
Government of the United ates and established
II lieu thereof an odious despotism; and this opn-
ion entered on the Journal of the Convention
when signed tho Ordinance of Secession. ro-
cognized the right Of resistance and revolution us
exercised BY cur fathers in 1T6 and without cayil
as to the name by which it was called, entered
the military service OF my State, willingly, cheer
fllly and zealous1y.
Confederate States, and her troops were turned
over to the Confederate Government, embraced
tho cause OF the whole Confederacy with equal ar
minaton to devote all the energy and talent
possessed to the common defence. I fought
through the entire without once regrettins
the justice Of our cause: and never saw the
moment when would have been willing to consent
to any compromise or settlement short Of the nb-
solnte independence Of my country
1t was my fortune to participate in most of the
great military operations in which the army in vir
ginia was engaged, both before and after Gen Lee
assumed the command. In the last Year Of this
momentous struggle I commanded, at different
times division and two corps Of Gen. Lees army
River, and subsequently separate force which
marched into Maryland, Threatened Washington
City, and then went through an oventful campaign
the operations of these different commands were
made before the close Of the war; and the campaign
t5e e aeS eS e Of Virgins has
sion. have now written q narrative of the opera
tions OF al my commands during the closing year
button to the history Of our great struggle for in
dependence. In giving that narrative, have n,ade
such statements of the positions and strength Of
the opposing forces IN Virginia, and such reference
to their general operations as were necessary to
enable the reader to understand it; but do not
pretend to detail the operations Of other COM
manders. -
have not found it necessary to be guilty OF the
Injustice Of attempting to pull down the reputa-
up my own Ny operations and nv We campairn un
stand on their own merits whatever they may BE-.
Nor, in anything may have found it necessary to
wish to be understood as in any way decrying the
soldiers who constituted the rank and file Of my
commands. believe that the world has never
FASNAS~0
triotsm and endurance to the private soldiers Of
the Confederate armies. have repeatedly seen
these soldiers 1bmit, with cheerfulness to priva-
hons and hardships which would appear to be al
most incredible; and the wild cheers of our brave
mon (Which woro so different from the studied
opposing epan n
gS Te5ng and YSn hsye oa thrilled every
dieSs perform deeds which, f performed in days avs
OF yore by mailed warriors in glitte1ng armor
the pen Of tho poet. =
do no not aspire to the character Of a historian
but, having been witness Of and particpator in
saw and did, for the use Of the future historian
Without breaking the thread Of my narrative as
it proceeds, 1 have given, in notes, comments on
by the Commander of the Federal Army. Cen
Grant, and the Federal Secretary o. War Mr. Stan
ton, IN their reports made since the close of the
committed by the Federal commanders which were
brought to my immediate attention, as well as
some other matters OF interest.
As was to have been expected our enemies have
Hooded the Press with sketches and histories. in
waich all the appliances of meretricious literature
have M 10 been made use Of to glorfy their
Southern writer's also. who preferred the per to
the sword or musket, have not been able to resist
ingly, earpng criticisms have been written by the
Light Of after events and even histories Of the war
a1empsedm m Py Pers9ns who imagined that the dis
from the scene Of conflict, and an exemption from
the disturbing elements Of whistling bullets and !
bursting shell. Perhaps other writer's Of the Same
class may follow, and various apeculations be in |
dulged in as to the cause Of our disasters As for
mysof, have not undertaken to speculate es to |
Ehe causes Of our failure, as have seen abundant
reason tor it in the tremendous odds brought
against us. Having had some Leans Of Judging,
WI, however, say that in my opinion, both
Spheres as eondent of the necass Pc
cause which it was possible for mortal men n 10
and it Is great privilege and comfort for me 40 to
believe, and to have been able to bring with ma m |
nto exile profound love and veneration for those
great men. - 1oot o |
In regard to my own services, all have to sav
g. that have the consciousness of having done
ny duty to my country, to the very best of nv
'biIty, and whatever my fate, would not az
mango that consciousness for untold millions T
rave come into exile rather than submit to the
'oke OF the oppressors OF my country; but have
ever thought OF attribuhng aught of blame OF
ensure TO those true men who, after having nobIy
.9ne sneu duty IN the dreadful struggle through
sMcn We passed, now that 1t has gone arainat Hs
enain to share the misfortunes ~ the7r eo1' Is'
nd to aid and comfort them in their trials. IN ho
contrary, appreciate and honor their mot;;va. ~
ave not sought refuge in another land row c
enslDlnty 70 the wrongs and sEffernps Of nv owr
ountry; put feel deeply aud continnaliy IN
hfm and could my life secure the redemntyon ~ .
nat country, as it has been often risked 80 nov
7onld be as freely given for that object ~" ~ I
There were men born and nurtured IN tba so,,., =
m States, and some OF them in nv own Stat VII q
ook s1des with our enemies, and sided in I1esoIat
ag and humlhating the land Of their own b;rtI
nd OF the graves Of their ancestors Sonoe -,
hem rose to high positions in the United sto4e "a
rmy, and others to high civil positions. / enyv