The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-09
STRENGTH OF THE CONFEDERATE
ARMY.
Il never Exceeded $50, 900 Hen.

Il meuer Exceeded $50, 900 Hen.
The New York Tribune gives an abstract of
the returns of all the armies of the Confederacy
from 1862 to 1864, which it considers complete.
1t thus comments upon the exhibit made by
this abstract:
"The number of troops at the East and the
West was throughout nearly equal, and no con-
siderable body of soldiers was ever transferred
from one army to the other. The greatest num-
Der actually borne at any one time on their
muster-rolls was $4,000; and this was only
when, by s.robbng tie cradle aud the grave"
every male from seventeen to fifty was enrolled
in the army Half a million is the utmost
nominally enrolled at any other period. The
greatest number present for duty at any one
time, and that for only brief period, was $780,
600 to which should probably be added few
thousand rangers, partisans and bushwhackers.
There we're not three periods OF a month when
they had 100000. The Army of Northern
Virginia, under Lee, was the great strength of
the Coofederacy At only three periods did it
for q month number 100000 men present for
duty. A study of these reports, compared With
the known strength of the Union Army of the
Potomac, will furnish materials for a more severe
criticism on the conduct of the war in this de-
psrtment aud the military merits of the different
commanders than any man has yet dared to
write. Thus. in October, 1861, when MeClel-
Ian, with LAT 900 men lift for Duty" feared to
advance toward Manassas, supposiug that the
enemy had not less than $50 900, their actual
force was less than 10000; and in December
they had only $4,000. Again, when at the be-
ginning of April, 1862, "the Unready" reached
the Peninsula with not fewer than 100000
men, be was for fortnight held iu check by
Magruder with barely $4,000, who, besides
holding Yorktown, had to guard line Of a
dozen miles. When, after digging away at
Yorktown for fortnight, Mcclellan was ready
to assail that fertilization, held, as he supposed
BY at least l00 900 men-be having, as be says,
s5,0O0-the Coufedsrates actually had on the
whole Peninsula less than $4,000. And when
be finally reached the Chick abominy with about
10000 effective men, the enemy had at Rich
mond but Al 900, increased at the close Of May
to 81 ,0c0, sick and well-probably about Co.,
600 effective. Meade's success at Gettysburg
was decided and Of such vital moment that
the feebleness of his subsequent campaign in
Virginia has been overlooked When, at the
close Of July, he had reached the Rappahannock,
be had fully $4,000 men. The figures which
We give show that Lee had only Al 900. Yet,
with this great preponderance, Halleck would
not allow Meade to attempt any offensive opera
tons But 10 October, when Meade had 70 900
and Lee but $4,000. the Union General was
actually driven back almost within sight of
Washington. This retreat from Culpepper to
Centreville is utterly inexplicable, for HaIleck
had nothing to do with the movement, and
Meade knew that he much stronger than
his enemy. This abortive campaign showed
that Meade, an excellent officer when backed
up by stronger will than his own, was wholly
deficient in the moral courage requisite for the
conduct of campaign. When Halleck was
displaced from the chief command, and Grants
firm will directed Meade, the canpaign assumed
a wholly different aspect "Forward to Rich
mond," or wherever else the rebel strength
might lie, became the 'war cry" not only of
the nation, but of the Commander of the Ma
tional Army. These are but few of the points
upon which the Confederate muster rolls. which
are now for the first time published, furnish oc
casion to remark"