The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-26

tary talents. Nv education aud training ar
} military. | think the military and civi
talents are distinct, if not different, and FIJI
duty in either sphere is about as much a
one man can qualify himself to perform
shall not do the people the injustice to &C
cept high civil office with whose question
it has not been my business to become ia
miliar."
"Well, but General" insisted, histor
does not sustain your view. Cesar an,
Frederick Of Prussia, and Bonaparte, wer
great statesmen, as we'll as great Generals.
"And all great tyrants," he promptly re
sponded. Il speak of the proper rule il
republics, where. | think, we should hav,
neither military statesmen nor political Gen
erals"
But Washington was both, and vet not
tyrant," | repeated.
And with a beautiful smile he said
Washington was All exception to all rule,
and there was none like him."
could find no words to answer further
but instantly | SAID in thought: Surely
Washington is no longer the only exception
for one like him. if not even greater, is here
Lee sometimes INDUCED in satire, to which
his greatness gave point and power. He was
especially severe on newspaper criticisms OF
military Observation-Disclosures about which
| the writer's knew nothing.
1--WE made great mistake, Mr.. Hill, in
the beginning of our struggle, and, l fear in
spite of all We can do, it will prove to be 4
fatal mistake" he said to me, after General
Bragg ceased to command the army of Ten
nessee, an event Lee deplOred.
"What mistake is that, General. :"
''Why, sir, in the beginning we appointed
all our worst generals to command the ar
mics, and all our best generals to edit the
l., 7 \
some campaigns and quite a number of bat
ties. have gwen the work all the care and
thought | could. and sometimes when my
plans were completed, as far as l could
see they seemed to be perfect. :ut
when l have fought them through,
have discovered defects and occa-
s;Onally wondered l did not see some of
the defects in advance. When it was all
over, found by reading a newspaper that
these best editor generals saw all the defects
plainly from the start. Unfortunately, they
did not communicate their knowledge to
me until it was too late" Then, after "a
pause, he added with beautiful, grave ex-
preston l can never forget: 81 have no
ambition but to serve the Confederacy, and
do all l can to win our independence. am
willing to serve in any capacity to which
the authorities may assign me. have done
the best could in the field, and have not
succeeded as | could wish. am willing to
yield my place to these best generals, and l
will do my best for the cause editing /. news
paper"
Jefferson Davis.
Jefferson Davis was as great in the Cabi-
net as was Lee in the field. He was more
resentfnl in temper, ard more aggressive in
his nature than Lee. His position, too, was
more exposed to assaults from within. He
had to make all appointments, and though
often upon the recommendation of others,
all the blame of mistakes was charged to
him, and mistakes were often charged by
disappointed seekers and their friends which
were not made He also made recommend
atiOns for enactments, and though these
especially the military portion,
had the concurrence Of, and often
with Lee, the opposition of NAL
contents was directed at Davis. 1t is aston
ishing how men in high position, and sup
posed to he great, would make war on the
whole administration for the most trivial
personal disappointment. Failures to ge'
places for favOrites Of very ordinary charac-
ter has inspired long harangues against the |
most important measures, and they were |
continued and repeated even after those
measures became laws. "Can you believe"
he said to me once, "that men-statesnen-
nry to the cause because of their personal
grievances, even if they were well found
I'd! Certainly" ! replied, ~ not only
believe II, but know it, There are men who
'egard themselves with more devotion than
hey do the cause. If such men offer YOU
counsel you do not take, or ask appointments
7ou do not make, however you may be sus-
aimed in such action by Lee and all the
cabinet, and even the Congress, they accept
our refusal as questioning their wisdom,
md us personal war on them" 81 cannot
onceive of such a feeling" he said. 81 have
tut one enemy to fight, and that is our
doubtless do, but do the best can with
IL the light> at the time before me. God
nows l would sacrifice most willingly my
lie, much more my opinions, to defeat that
nemy' We all remember the fierce
var which was made in Georgia against
ertain war measures of the Congress, and
gainst Mr.. Davis for recommending them
CONSUMPTION and impressment, especially,
7ere denounced as unconstitutional and
Old, and not binding on soldiers or people.
nd then, the limited suspension of habeas
orpus was made the occasion for concerted
lovement on the Legislature, assembled in
xtra session, to array the State in hostility
D the Confederate administration. 1t failed
his was in the dark days of 1864. On
to Richmond after this, l made
ne usual call of courtesy-no, of duty and
f pleasure-on the President As arose to
ave him, / said Mr.. President, am hap
y to say to you that, notwithstanding some
ldlcatiOns to the contrary, the people of
Georgia will cordially sustain you in all your
forts to achieve our independence" "And
thank you, sir, for that information and
ave never doubted the fidelity of Georgia"
The people of Georgia sustain YOU" l
dded, not only because they have conf |
ence in you, but chiefly because it is the
My way to sustain the cause" And with
n expression of sincerity glowing all over j
is conntenance, and with a reverential
athos can never forget, he said: "And /
Oh knows my heart, ask all, all for the s
ause; nothing, nothing for myself" Truer I
oris never fell from nobler lips, nor warm
from the heart Of a more devoted patriot.
hese words express in language the soul, ,
he mind, the purpose, aye, the ambition of S
Davis. 1t was his misfortune, and T
lie misfortune of the Confederacy, that this c