The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-29
sachusetts regiment through their streets q a

S1cnusetts regiment through their streets O.
mob"
On page 245 he says of Maryland, Della
ware. Kentucky, and Missouri: In these
States secession had to encounter powerful
opposition. The result was that they were
held In the Unlon." He does not give the
pupil the slightest intimation Of how these
gallant States were "held in =" by Federal
bayonets welded by despotic power.
Page 2i3: In his description of the move
ments that brought on the battle of Ma
nassas he speaks Of the battle Of the 18TH Of
July, In which the Federals were so badly
repulsed as TO change McDoWeI's plan of at
tack. as simply preliminary skirmisning."
And in bis account of the battle Of the 21.t
he says: at seemed that the Union army
would carry the field but In the afternoon
the Gqnftderates, reinforced by Johnston's
columnirom the Shenandoah valley, fell on
the right 1ank Of the Union army, which
was thrown into great disorder" &c.-i. e.,
the child would learn that as long Us the con-
test was ut all equal the "Union /" troops
were victorious, but being oyerpowered hy
numbers they were driven back. Now, the
truth is that we had only 10000 troops Of
all arms opposed to McDowelpa $4,000, and
Of these only $4,000 were actually engaged.
Again, on PIP. 249250 be says the Fedc-
raj army In the fall numbered over one
hundred and fifty thousand men, and that
"the southern army also received large
reirforcements" but he takes good care nos
TO let the pupil know that our army after
Its einforcements only numbered forty
Seven thousand men.
On page 252 he says in speaking Of the
surrender of our commissioners. Mason aud
he nf l,.it
ermeut: "lhe reason why the Government
gave them up was because the United States
Ind all along, and especially during the war
OF 1912, taken position respecting the rights
Of neutral ships that did not Justify Captain
Wilkes In taking the Confederate cOmmis-
sioners from the Trent"
Now, everybody knows that the net Of
Captain Wilkes was heartily approved and
appiauded both by the Government and
people of the North until England made Il
percmptory demand for the restoration of the
commissioners. and that the ready acquieS-
cence on the part Of the Federal Govern
ment was one Of the most disgracetul acts
Of trucking known in history.
Passing by number OF other false state
meniS, we lind on page 259 that he claims
williamsburg as u Federal victory. Now,
the truth IS that this battle was fought by
Jobnston's rear-guard to protect his trains
as they fell back through those miry, roads,
and that when night put an end to tile con
test we had not ouly held Mcclellan in
check, but had captured nine pieces Of ar
til!cry and a number Of prisoners, inflicted
heavy loss on tho enemy, and held the battle
field. Daring the night, bavipg fully accom-
pii,hod the object Of tho battle, our forces
wi;hdrcw.
Even Nr. Swinton, In his "Arnly OF the
Potomac,"is is constrained to admit that "the
action at Williamsburg was very unfortu-
us,o" Gor the Fcdclals), and that "the re-
su!t was loss of above t"o thousand men,
without any corresponding gain"
I Ireme:u5er to have heard General \. z.
Hill, who greatly distinguished bimsclf in
this battle, say upon enc occasion, i'll speak
ing Of il md apoloQiZing for the report
gwen by bis old West Poiut bed-fe|ow
(NcC!elI1n: "Oa! Mack..did not mean to
claim Williamsburg as a Yankee victory.
tio was only poking little !ru at Halleck,
who hid orje!ed his generals to claim every
fight rs q Victory"
Ou page 250 this vcIacicus historian gives
our children the folio >T!rg account Of the
ba;te OF Seven Pines: "Tne southern ccnl-
rander then attacked that part Of blcCiel.
jan's arrcy tl.at was on the south side OF tht
Chick.honiny. The action is called the Dat
Tie Of Fair O3ks. 1t vas not decisive. Th,
battle WAS renewed the next day-june Isl
Mcclellan was more successful. 0nd the Con
iedcraieS retired nearer Richmond"
Now, the true story Of this Gtuc is tina
although the failure Of one OF lis suDorGl
mites prevented Joinston from utterly d.
slrovinS that wing Of NcCicIian'S army h
yc, drove the enemy 0cer t1o 7attes and
Rag, Captured line after liue OF his breas;
works, took ten pieces Of rrsillery, Il iarI
number Of prisoners md many spoil
Of victory, and held his advance pos
ton against every effort 10 dislodge him
This really seems tolerabIy decisive" Mr
| Swinton to the co0'rary Notwithstanding.
Iu reference to the operations Of tue neX
| day, Of which this book says "McClella
was more successful, and the Confederate
retired nearer Richmond" l quote the sin
| pie language Of General Johnston's ottici
| report ajor. General Smith WIS prcYente
lroul rrsunin- his attack on the enemy's DC
sition next morning BY the discovery c
strong ontrenchinelts not seen on the pre-
vious evening. On the mMnlng of June l.
the enemy attacked tho brigade Of Geaer;
| Pickett, which waa supported by that c
| General Pryor. The alta OK was yisorourl
repeled hy those two brgades, the brunt G
the fight falling on General Pickett. Thi
was tue last demonstration made by the er
emy. In the evening onr troops were Que
! ly removed to their own camps"
Now, whatever may he the opinion OF tn
excellent gentlomon who compose our schoc
bopyd, l should vcLv decidedly prefer hay
| iug MY children targht the truthful narr
tive of that noble old Roman Joseph i
Johnston rather than the manufacture
"history" Of this quondam "war CORE
spoudent" CT the New York 71fjune-Ml
| william swinpn.
But | have written rs much AS you wi
| care 20 print to-day, and must resume til
/ subject tomorrow.
As hold myself prepared TO substantial
the points made in these articles, and Il
anonynpus articles sometimes lose with I'll
public their legitimate weight, l beg leaI
TO subscribe my own proper ntme.
j. WILLIAM JONES.
Rschmo1,d, November 70, 1873.
Mr. JONES has said enough to justify b
kstter. This history ought to be banishe
nom the public schools. But as to th
other books named, there may bc two opll
| ipus.