The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-01
SWEET CHALYBEATE SPRINGS, !
T,,11 90 1870

|
July 20, 1870. J =,
This charming little place has now about
one hundred and sixty visitors, and there IS
no place in the mountains where people
seem better fed or better satisfied than here.
It's romantic beauty, the air OF neatneSs,
comfort, and repose, that seems to pervade
it. the glorious bath, and the unceaslng
kindness of its generous host, Mr.. Thomas
Kinnirey, and his assistants, are all at
fractions which are appreciated by the
guests which fact Is shown by the small
number that leave, and the length of time
that those who are here remain. The fol-
lowing are among the Richmond people
here:
Parker Campbell, Esq, and lady and
daughter, r. P. Richardson, j. Adair Plea
SAINTS, Colonel J. L. Darlington, E. P. Tay-
lor, Mrs. John Dooley and two daughters.
Major NJ. H. Clarke, delegate from Pitt
sylvania county, and E. l.. Didler, Esq,
private secretary to Chief Justice Chase,
are also among the guests. General Pickett
and lady are expected here in q day or so.
General Joseph Il. Johnston and lady are
also here. The General is looking remark
ably we'll and seems cheerful and hopeful.
In company with a couple of friends this
morning1 entered into conversation with
him in relation to the European war. He
spoke very readily, and with great earnest
ness, evincing great deal of thought upon
the subject.
One of us said, General, they seem
to be very slow about getting to business
over the water" ooh no." he replied
I" two powerful nations, such as France and
Prussia, require time 10 prepare for war.
Each side must concentrate its forces before
attempting to cross into the others coun-
try. It would be a fatal mistake to cross
without efficient force and material to sus-
tain an invasion. suppose the leader who
first finds himself with the larger force will
be the one to cross"
| When asked about the relative merits Of
the troops he said that the French had ge-
nerally been successful in their combats
with the Prussians, but this was as much
due to their excellent generalship and the
confidence of tho men In their generals as
to any other cause.
1t was Il mistake to suppose that the frlls-
slams were not soldiers. Military knowledge
was more widely diflused among the people
of Prussia than Of France, because the
Prussian conscript was enlisted for three
wears only, while the French were enlisted
for seven years. Thus the Prussians were
more constantly changing, and military
knowledge was difllsed among a greater
number of men.
As to the generalship Of the two armies,
the General expressed the opinion that
France had the advantage in point of eXpe-
rience. The French generals had been
tried in the Algerian, and Crimean, and
Italian wars, and their merits proven. The
merits of the Prllssian generals could not
be discussed, as they had never had oppor-
tunity us yet to display them. The short
campaign of 1866 was devoid Of military ac-
tions and movements sufficient to prove the
military ability of their generals.
| &. h,,f (ynnnra1 thara
is not he Il great General?"
"He has that reputation; but not de-
servedly, think. He had the luck to de-
| feat an old and inefficient General at SadoWa;
whereas if he had had General of any tact
or ability opposed to him he would have
received terrible whipping. From the
only historical version Of the battle in Eng
lish that I have seen it appears that he
started two columns from two different
points to advance upon Benedek. These
! two columns were not in communication
with each other. Benedek calmly awaited
the attack, and while engaged with one CO.
1umn the other took him in the rear of his
right. But what good leader would have
waited for these two columns to have come
up on him? Napoleon the First, or our
own Jackson, would have advanced rapidly
upon one of the columns with his entire
army, defeated it, and then have returned
His reputation, then. General, was az
deserved as that Of Grant, and he deserved
about the same credit for his strategy"
"Oh no." rejoined the General, evidently
installing the drift of the remark, Grant
would never have staid there like Benedek.
He would have advanced upon one of the
advance columns and engaged them sepa-
rately."
| Touching the subject of American SYM
pathy with the opposing nations, he eX.
pressed the idea, with slight indication of
disgust, that politicians would doubtless
play upon their sympathies for Prussia in
the approaching elections, in order to influ-
ence the German vote. He could not un-
derstand it, why the press Of the South was
so unanimous in its sympathy with Prussia.
In Savannah, where he lived, there was
hardly day upon which the papers did not
make an attack upon Napoleon. The i'm
preston seemed to be that Napoleon was
a despot and King Frederick was
not. lie considered this great mis-
take. Napoleon was wise and saga
cious ruler, and France was one of the
freest countries in the world, and nowhere
could a man find better protection for
his life and property. The Prussian Go
vernment was one Of the most despOtic OF
Europe. The Germans were great Red Re-
publicans, and in this country had almost
as mass fought and voted against the
South. AS to the interests of Europe in the
struggle: he thought that they should be
with France, for if France were defeated
Napoleon would be dethroned. Such an
event as this would convulse France, and
there could be no peace in Europe for u
long time.
A bystander playfulIy remarked "Gene-
raj, you and General Lee ought to be over
there to settle this"
Laughing, he said "The General and
myself would not make much Roadway With
our soldiers with our limited knowledge of
the German language. No leader should
command an army without knowing his
men. Here, | think, is where the mistake
lies in appointing so many American officers
to the Egyptian army. 1t is very nice for
the officers, who are well paid, but it will
not prove so well for the Egyptians"
Here the conversation changed, and after
enjoying it for some moments longer, drl-
ring which we could not help being struck
with the Generals unassuming and cOurte-
Gus bearing, we parted.
There is to be a grand fancy and mask
ball here next Thursday night. Monkey,
the costumer, is here with his dresses. 1t
will be nice affair. DENIS.
-FOUR correspondent and General John
ston are both evidently sympathisers with
France.l
From our!Special Correspondent
Far nm vtIle-Corporat1o Election
GOOD CrOps-HIgh Bridge.
HIGH BRIDGE, July 90, 1870:
The stranger within the gates" Of Farm
vile could not fail to-day to see that the