New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-22

"A Chapter in tho Secret War History.
Although the campaign into Pennsylvania |
was not unfruitful of results beneficial to |
the Southern States; although by the recent |
shock of arms and this aggressive move |
ment the federal advance upon Richmond |
had been materially delayed; although the |
State of Virginia, for the time being, had |
been delivered from the waste and burden |
of hostile invasion; although General Lee
his army strong in organization, proud in |
spirit, and with confidence unshaken. and |
was in full possession Of his legitimate |
line of defense, he could but acknowledge |
that all had not been accomplished |
which the late advance was designed !
to compass. "This has been q sad day |
for us, colonel, sad day; but we can't
remark to Colonel Freemantle, as,
sublime in his Indifference to per-
s0nal danger, and calm in the midst of the |
hurry and confusion of the scene, the Con- |
tederate leader encouraged his men when.
torn and worn by the battle, they fell back
before the triumphant roar Of the federal
artillery, which swept the whole valley and
slope Of Seminary Ridge with shot and
shell. As q soldier, aud as the chief captain
of the Confederate hosts, he admitted that
he had been fOiled in his aim; and although,
in his own language, if spirit of dissp-
pointment and discomfort existed in his
army, his brother officers had been too kind
to report it, and his troops too generous to
exhibit it. The tone Of the public press
and the sentiment of the country indicated
dissatisfaction with the result of q campaign
from which grander achievements had been
blindly expected than the trOOps and re-
sources employed in it's conduct ought,
in reason, to have justified. 1t was not
in human nature, in its most heroic de-
velOpment and conscious of its nOblest
effort, to remain, under the circumstances.
entirely Indifferent to or unaffected by euch
| expression. As at the time of Pickett's
repulse he said to General Wilcox, who in
| sorrow reported the almOs: total destruction
| of his brigade, 'Never mind, General, all
this has been my fault; it is l who have lost
this fight, and you must help me out Of it the
best way you Can, !" so now, at Camp Orange,
with dignity, manhood, and generosity
the most rem arkable, denying no RESPONSE
bility, suggesting no excuse, indulging IN
no censures, he shielded others by taking
upon himself alone the soul-depressing bur
| den of the general misfortune.
| 1t was under such circumstances that the
folio wing noble letter was penned:
| "CAMP ORANGE, August 8, 1863.
"MR. PREsIDENT-YOur letters OF July
% and August 2 have been received, and
have waited for leisure hour to reply, but
| i
obliged to you for the attention given to
the wants of this army, and the efforts made
to supply them. Oar absentees are return
Ling, and l hope the earnes. and beautiful
appeal made to the country in your prOcla-
nation may stir up the whole people, and
that they may see their duty and perform
it. Nothing is wanted but that their forti-
tude should equal their bravery. to insure
the success of our cause. We must expect
reversee, even defeats. They are sent to
teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth
| greater energies, and to prevent our falling
into greater disasters Our people have
only to be true and united, to bear man
fully the misfortunes incident to war, and
all will come right in the end.
| ~ know how prone We are to censure,
and how ready to blame others for the non
fulfllment of our expectations. This is un
becoming in a generous people. and grieve
to see it's expression. Inc general remedy
for the want of success in military com
mander is his removal. This is natural, and
in many instances proper. For, no matter
what may be the ability of the officer, il
he loses the confidence Of his troops, disas
ter must sooner or later eneue.
II have been prompted by these retlec
tiOns more than once since my return from
Pennsylvania to propose to your exceilency
the propriety OF selecting another CON
mander tor this army. have seen and hearC
of expressions Of discomfort in the public
journals at the result Of the expedition.
: do not know how far this feeling extends
in the army. My brother officers have
been too kind to report it, and SO tar the
troops have been too generous to exhibit 1t
1t is fair, however, to suppose that 1t doe'
| exist, and success is go necessary to US tina
nothing should be risked to secure it. l
therefore, in all sincerity, request your ex
cellency to take measures TO supply my
= A. -:<I 81, otv1on
because no one is more aware than mysel
of my inability for the duties of my posi-
ton. / can not even accomplish what
myself desire. How can l fulfill the expec
tations of others9 In addition, l sensibly
feel the growing failure Of my bodil!
strength. have not yet recovered from
the attack experienced the past spring
am becoming more and more incapable
Of exertion, and am thus prevented tIou
making the personal examinations ana
, giving the personal supervisions to th'
operations in the field which / feel t
be necessary. ! am so dull that in max
ing use of the eyes of others am tree iuentl!
misled. Every thing, therefore, points to tn
advantages to be derived from new com
, mander, and the more anxiously urge tn
matter upon your excellency from my belle
! that younger and abler man than mysel
, can readily be obtained. l know that h
will have as gallant and brave an army q
ever existed to second his efforts, and j
, would be the happiest day of my life to se
at its head worthy leader; one that wop'
. accomplish more than could perform, ant
f all that have wished, hope your excel
lency will attribute my request to the tru
reason, the desire to serve my country, ant
to do all in my power to insure the success
of her righteous cause.
II have no complaints to make of an,
one but myself. have received nothing
but kindness from those above me, and tn
most considerate attention from my com
rades and companions in arms. To you
excellency, am specially indebted for uni
done everything in your power to aid me ii
, the work committed to my charge, withOu
} emitting anything to promote the genera
!; welfare. l pray that your efforts may Q
length be crowned with success, and tina
: you may long live to enjoy the thanks of
grateful people.
with sentiments of great esteem, ! an
very respectfully and I'd truly yours; ET sno,o,
His E1cellency jefferson Davis, President Of tn
u We question whether, at the time, tn
, fact that General Lee had placed his com
J | mission as commander-in-chief of the Arm,
of Northern Virginia in the hands of tn
| | President of the Confederate States, witt
} successor, was communicated by Mr.. Davi
J | to any save his confidential advisers. Ce1
tain 1t is, the knowledge of such an impol
tant event was current neither in the arm,
nor among the Southern people q
large. Mr.. Davis reply is not te
fore US, but we may rest ASSURE
. pressions of confidence, uttered in tn
name and on behalf of the nation, con
vinced his favorite lieutenant that b