The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-10
General Early TO General Johnston.
RICHMOND, February 8, 1870.

Editors Of the Dispatch
Having received from General Johnston
COPY of his reply to Colonel Marshaifs 40.
dress, with the request that it be tiled along
with the address In the archives OF the Asso.
citation OF the Army of Northern virginia,
took occasion to write him communication
in regard to the matters in dispute between
himyef and Colonel Marshall. As the sub
iect is one OF much historic Importance, ana
of very great interest 20 the survivors OF the
Army of Northern Virginia at least, send
ron a con7 OF my communication TO Gencral
Johnston. with the request that you publish
il In your paper. In letter TO myself. which
is published by the Rev. j. Williams Jonesin
his recent book, General Lee said " It will
be difficult 10 get the world to understand
the odds against which we fought And
this has proved to he the case. In late
criticism by the London Times Of The biogra-
ply of General Lee by Mr.. Childe, of Paris,
that paper. while speaking very favorably OF
the biogra ply in other respects, takes occa-
sion to discard as utterly incredible tine state
ment ofthe numbers of the opposing armies as
given by Mr. Chi!Ge; and yet am in-
formed-for | have not seen bis book-that
il he errs in that respect it is in orerestima-
ting General Lees numbers. Perhaps 1T Is
very natural that officers OF the United
States army should disbeliey$ that they were
so long batiled by such small numbers as
were really opposed to them, and we know
that the Government at Washington has IN.
yariably refused all access by Confederate
officers 10 the Confederate records and re-
turns on file in the A-chive office; but there
is very simple process, and that Is by the
rule OF three, by which We can form cor.
rect estimate of the relative strength of the
Two armies.
The entire white population Of all the
States that composed the Conlederacy, even
nominally. was q little more than 900, 900,
but the actual white population upon which
the Confederate Government bad TO depend
to fill the ranks of its armies was under
100000, while the Washington Govern
mcnt had white population of more than
900 TO draw its soldiers from, besides
unlimited facilities for reci uiting in foreign
countries. ltake no account of the cOlered
troops, for, notwithstanding we are told they
"fonght bravely," and though decidedly
prefer the negro 10 the carpet-bagger OF
scllawag, "socially, morally. and politically,"'
and "wnbout regard to race. color, or pre-
vious condition of seryitude," do not be-
lievc that he saved The Union"
If, with the means in the power Of the
two Governments respectively, the Confcd-
crate Government was able TO raise. arm,
equip, and put into the field armies bearing
greater proportion TO The population upon
which it was dependent tEan that of the
armies of the United States Government to
its population, it shows that the former
Government displayed much the superior
c lergy and efficiency of The two.
II the army With which General Lee made
The attack on Mcclellan in 1862 was what
General Johrslun's estimates would make il,
then c9rcede that he and bis subordinate
commanders were responsible for The failure
Of our struggle; and think any survivor of
The Army CT Northern Virginia would CO.
ncdc with me. But believe that the Con.
ieGcratc Government did its duty in our
struggle rs we'll rs was possible in the condi-
ion OF The country: and doknoW that Cen
rra Lie did all for tie success of our cause
that Ii was possible for mortal man to do
with the means at his command. | know
that the odds against him were always very
large much larger than many Of our own
people have believed.
now challenge the most critical examina-
ton Of the estimate | have given Of the
strength of the army which drove Mcclellan
from the siege OF Richmond in 1862; and in
regard TO the figures furnished by General
Johnston on tie authority of the officers
named by Tin, am willing to abide the re-
suit OF Il personal appea. to the survivors OF
them, having already the assurance Of one of
them hat General Johnston misapprehended
him, and tia, LIS official report TO which
have ietrr!eC is right, and shows the ef.
frctive strength he brought to Virginia.
Di>caming all purpose Of imputng to
General Johnston any unworthy motive in
promulgatinS his estimate of General Lees
strength, aud intending in what l have
written only to vindicatc the truth Of his.
tory, an, very respectfully. your obedient
servant, }. A. EARLY.