The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-09
General Sheridan,

DlsclaimiIS very sincerely any sentiment or an
implacablo nature towards General Sheridan, We
cannot hut observe that in him are we to have
another illustration Of the old adage that history
il n great lie" His career in the Valley was sem
sational merely He was the instrument of most
cruel and wanton destruction Of private property
that had really nothing 10 do with the Fastening
OF the end of the war, and plunged thousands Of
people, including those of tender and dependent
age and condition into want and misery. he
needed only to overcome Early, which he had over.
vhelminp means to do He was in numbers and ap-
pliances to Early what the elephant is to the horse
Yet Early kept him at bay for long time, and de-
feated his columns more than once. A general of
very moderate capacity should have cleared the
yaley of the feeble force under Early long before
it was done.
His next most boasted achievement was alleged
victories in thanking and' annoying General Lees
column, in his retreat to Appomattox. Nothing
could be more unfolnded than any claim FOR gem
ralship or any extraordinary display OF the capac-
ty of q warrior, in the simple and easy matter OF
frettinc and distressing the diminished Confeder-
ate columns half starved wearied and worn, with
out supplies. without transportation in full retreat,
the condition the last of ali i'll which an army can
make effective resistance, whatever it's efficiency
and MEANS An army OF mosquitoes could have
added inconceivable discomfort and annoyance to
such retreatng column. regiment OF Arapa-
hoes and Camanches could have done even more
than Sheridan, who displayed neither skill nor
stategv. more than pack OF prairie wolves assail
inc and Worrying wounded and exhsutedt buffalo
bull on the plains. And yet these two chapters in
tue life OF Sheridan are to be recorded nhistory
with halo of glory which, according to one pane
gyrist is to make hin the most magnificent SOL
der of any country or any age.
There is one chapter i'll the life Of this distin-
| puished gel eral that onght not to DC omitted.
That is his raid around general Lees army in May,
1861 and his march 10 the northern line OF de-
fences OF this city. His arrival in front OF the
breastyorks was verv much fastened by Jeb
Stnert with lO1U IN. IL, against Sheridans 5000
Stnart battered him smartly, and fell gallantly
messing him five miles from the city. Sheridan
| crossed the brook, and. gettlng defensive posi-
| tion. the pursuit was checked. But what did nt
,jop This city vas entirely undefended;an though
after some time few militia, with company or two
OF regulars, appeared in his front at the breast
| WoILs there was no such sign of opposition iol
hmrs as should have inpeded his march for al
instant. He might have entersPe Pe city when he
6rst came upon the frontier dan4fsMithout firing
eun If be could not have held il, h. might
| have crossed The river immediately, placed him
| self IN rear of General Beauregard then strain
| uus every nerve u defend Richmond from Du ter
and IN thai WAY heya moi onlv insured the capture
| of his a,Ilv brit the taking Of Richmond This i;
y,at Jackson would have done, and we are III
clincd to think there are Scnerala iii the Fedora
| army who would have done it. lie could have obtain
| ed ir proper information upon which tn proceed By
| adon;iur such measures as should have occurre,
n avon >. dull man. But he did nothing lie file,
! of ly his left flank, after lngering SOME hours
a. snj cr"ssins the Chckahominy, joined the Federa
arm Then Sheridan might have won grea
deal Of glory with very little peril. He might hay'
ended the war year before it was ended II
would have thus saved thousand millions o
dollars to the nation, aud avoided the etfusion o
General sheridan cannot, with any regard 70
truth. be made L great general; He 10 brave
passionate, and headstrong, without judgmen
aud without discretion Speaking by ,'pomo IN
Of the war, We rather believe he is The bcarin:
OF that ssour-apple tree"npon which Mr. payi
wes 10 have been hung. 1t was tree watered b.
the tears Of the bereavcd and desolate, and it
fruit was the stunted aud blasted product OF it
qrieyous culture. Cur hero is oae ot the NOR
shnveled OF the vthered crop.