Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-08-12
Gen. Jubal A. EARLY.

The following is the conclusion of letter
to the @.Baaper. Of the South iu yindicatiQa
os himself against statements copied into tha.
paper from the Historical Magazine. We re-
gret we have not space for the whole commu-
nication. We have great admiration for tho
old Hero: ,g
=. Wtbcvt. :nteaiing any personal application
OF the remark, | must say that it is but too
frequent for biographers even Southern bics-
raphers, of men who bore conspicuous parts
in the war, to attemptt to pull down the repu-
tatiou of others, IN o.der to build up those a
their especial fayoritcs. The interest aud
reputation of no man requires this. When
man has received credit for all he has done, he
has received all he is entitled TO. Tho short
comings Of others can avail him nothing
There was enough glory won by our army. ip
the four years struggle against such trench
dous odds, for each enc to have his full share
and be content herewith. 49,.
know had my faults aud defects. ibaVe
never claimed that the mantle Of any ono had
fallen on me. Whatever merit | had was
mine, as wero my faults and imperlections.--
All claim, is that did my duty, honestly,
faithfully, to the. very best Of my ability. Up
to the time Of my being detached from tlO
Army Of Northern Virginia, | can safely say
that had fought in more general engagements
than sny General officer Of that army, and l
had never suffered a ropulse Of my own CON-
mand, even in the most adverse Of our battles,
though had been once wounded and eompeN-
cd to retire from the field while my men were
driving tho enemy. can with jus,liiablc
pride say that had had the honor OF enjoy
ing the cconfdence Of my commanding officers.
In my Valley campaign, in tho waning days
Of the Confederacy, and when opposed to odds
which no other commander had encountered Ia
a continuous campaign, | met with rcvcrses.
To this day, there are many who have never
understood the real causes Of thosa rcyoraos,
and hence have been judged harshly. False
hoods have been anonymously circulated to
my prejudice, and aippant writers, utterly un-
acquainted with the facts, have presumed to
pronounco their Judgements, but have never
vet seen or heard Of the first man who wa
willing to assume the responsibility OF ono
single one of the false or prejudicial statements
The Injustice done me, however, has ncsc'
tempted me to shift of responsibility upon th'
shoulders of others and hayo the proud con
seriousness Of never, in all that have writer
and published, having said or intended to say
anything to the prejudice Of any Of my com
rades nor have procured anything to DO 8
written and published. ffrg'
Generals Lee or General Jackson-pcrhap'
othcrs,-in my position in the valley, 1 hay'
no doubt, would have accomplished more than
did, if 1t had been possible to accomplish
more against such odds. But il is not fair 10
compare mo with General Lee and General
Jackson The world has produced few such
men as they were, and j am certainly no. ono
Of them. IVY ..s
If there was any other who could have dono
better than did, it was a pity no was not
sooner discovered. Respectfully, 1856
j. A. EARLY.