The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-11-24
Letter from " Viator."

,,nv RICHMOND TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
uryAxASSAs- GENERAL JOHN ropes CEEDU-
ll-Y-sgyERAL HISTORICAL POINTS" RED
-.FE"-LpBSTER SALAD, &C.-AAGNlFlCEST
FARMS AHD FAT CATTLE- INTERESTING RESi-
yAL>- DEATH AND FUNERAL OF REV. F. c.
TEBB>-AHJTuER SUDDEN DEATH.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.1
NlgpLBBrRG, LorDoCH COUNTY, VA..l
November 90, 1875.
Atrip from Richmond TO this point by way
OF tue Chesapeake and Ohio, Virginia Mid
lard. and Manassas Gap railroads presents
m7uy points Of intcres., which relieve the
tediUm OF the Journey.
The detention OF tve hours at Manassas
junction would have been intolerable but for
the privilege of sitting 'nc0g. and hearing
some gentlemen who belonged TO "The
Grand Armv," and afterwards to the "Arny
OF the Potomac" under Pope, recall in the
freedom Of private conversation some inter-
s,tiug "reminiscences of their experiences on
these historic plains.
The frankuess with which they admitted
the utter rout and decentralization OF the
"Juion" army at the first battle, and the
cs.p with which we could have captured
Washington. were refreshing, while their
wholesale abuse Of Pope's utter lncompe-
teDcy expressed what must be the universal
Yc:G.ct Of history.
\ :taIi officer OF this gentleman who had
"iu>t come from the West, where he had
been accustomed to see only the backs OF the
cncmv," who bad his headquarters IN the
sAddIe" AID who knew nothing OF lines OF
retreat" gives a very amusing account OF
POPS facility in believing 1tSt echat he
lrQn,.j 70 teiece. He says that whsn his
Scouts brought information OF Jackson>s
m0F,m nj to his rear he could not be per-
>uadrl to believe that il was more than a
>mal! Riding party. and consequently made
Dut little effort TO hold Thoroughtare Gap,
which Long,trcet's siowneSs enabled Pope
to occupy after jackson had passed through.
We bad always supposed that Pope's dis
ptruc, 10 Washington about winning great
victories on the first and second days OF the
BAIT we're sheer iabrcations; but this Off
Ger SAYS that he really believed this, and was
furious with his subo;dinates for not 'vigor-
ou,ly pursuing the flying rebels" On the
last days battle, when the Confederate ar
t..Iegv was changing position preparatory to
the Grand advance Of their whole line, 1t
looked 80 much like a retreat that even his
staff officers begun TO C, iucide with his the
DRY. and PoIc was jublllnt as he sent orders
10 ali Of his IieutcnanIs that the rebels must
no. BE- di0Ced 10 escape" But soon the
scenr shifted, and one OF mis- staff called at
trLli0n 10 the Confederate line of battle adj
Vancing in splendid array. Throwing up
his gltsses, Pope at once fell into towering
rage As he exclaimed: What business have
those people there? Why did not my army
pur>Ue themi Why don't they retreat!"
They seem 10 be making some business IN
this direction, General" was The reply. In
short time the Federal line was doubled
up, and driven pell.mell from the field; and
10 few days this pretentious braggart maze
MS exit from the drama, and was sent 10 Inc
Yves! 10 tight Indians.
But Il IL 4 sad commentary on the manner
IN which northern generals were then mace
and upmade-that Pope succeeded in having
General Fi!Z John Porter, one OF the very
abest officers on that side, casbiered for not
pursuing the retreatin9 rebels, and that par
tlosn naiiguity has thus far succeeded 10
preventing him from getting new trial.
And, then, my own memory was busy re-
calling - "reminiscences OF those stirring
times. | thought OF many an incident OF
that famous march FROM Winchester, when
"O!d Joe" told us in general orders that it
was "a forced march 10 save the country"
aud We started of with an enthusiasm which
III must be confessed) rather oozed out be-
lore We finished the march, OF which
the witty senator from Rockingham (Dr.
M0hrlt) remarked that "our bill OF fare
Was two blackberries q day, pick them
yourselves; and il you got four you
hau 10 turn over the fourth to the COM
mssAFy.H But enough got there to win the
Aghl. By the way, have seen recently re-
yFtd the popular story that when Kirby
smith got within five miles OF the junction
he beard the firing, disembarked from the
TRAM, and marched directly for the battle.
ueld, where he came in at fortunate june
lure on the enemy's flank, and was hailed by
Beauregard as "tbe Butcher of the day."
Now, my regiment belonged to the brigade
(Elzty's) of which Kirby Smith took charge,
and know OF my personal knowledge that
While this may have been the thing that he
ought TO have done, as matter of fact he did
nothing OF the kind, but went on to the
junction, aud marched thence TO the scene
OF conflict, being directed by General j. +.
Johnston, who Sc ably commanded the whole
held, to point where he was most needed;
and General Smith being wOuaded soon after
The brigade went into, action Colonel ElZey
resumed the command. and won his spurs as
" Butcher"
AS sat waiting for the train it seemed but
Yesterday that | was engineering my way
through the "red tape" Of the provost mar
saaps Office in The winter OF 1861, or Wit
Messed the scene there in August, 1862. when
our ragged, hungry rebels were feastiDg