The New York herald., 1877-12-10
A Confederate Staff officer on Gen.
eral R. E. Lee.
His CHARACTERISTICS As A COMMANDER.
Lubke's Outlines Of the His
tory Of Art.
FIELDS ORIENTAL TRAVELS.

STAFF
youR YsxRs WrH GENERAL LEE. Being sum-
mary OF The more important events touching tue
career Of General Robert E. Lee in the between
the states together with an authoritative state
ment OF the strength OF the army which ne com a,
slan and late Adjutant General Of the Army OF
Northern virginia. New York: d. Appleton Co.
General Taylor. the author OF this voame which
viii soon be issued the Appletons PRESS occupied
the position confidential staff officer with General
Lee during the entire period of the latc rebellion,
and Judging from the tone his book, we should say
that he is one of those southerners who have never
been reconstructed. General Taylor cannot help
certain oias his narrative, which, however, con-
tines its expression to eulogy Of his as
socrates rather than abuse Of his ens-
In the present volume there are
TO be found many facts new TO the public
at will secnn says the writer, "that II IS
not my purpose 10 attempt review Of tho military
career of General Lee nor critical history 'ot the
army which he commanded in the field; this VIII de-
volve upon the future historian; mine Is the more
humble task OF giving summary OF tho more prom
tnent the career OF the great Confederate
leader, together with comparative statement OF the
strength Of tho Con ederate and Federal armies that
we're engaged in the operations in Virginia =
General Taylor began his duties in the Confederate
army the I'd day Of May, 1851 He was as
pgned 10 the headquarters OF the Army Of Virginia. OF
which General Lee made commander in 1852 after
The woundng OF General Johnston. "The first matter
pi Importance, says General Taylor, twas the DIS
and decision OF the question to the period
OF service for which the troops should bo received and
mustered IN. While the politicians. ana indeed the
vast majority of the people, anticipated but
very short and decisive struggle, General
Lee took different view, aud stands alone, oil ali OF
those then known whose opinions were entitled
TO consideration, as having expressed his most ser-
apprehensions of . prolonged and bloody war. He
In especial Degree secmed 10 appreciate the mag
ntude OF the impending contest, and 10 realize the IN
evtable suffering, sacrifice aud which would at
tend deter and bitter conflict between the
sections OF the United States After transfer OF
the Virginia forces the Confederate States
General Lee retained IN Richmond by
M. Davis to give tho benefit OF his advice. Dur.
lng the month Of July, 1861, in obedience to the
orders OF Dir. DAVIS, he mace personal examination
OF the troops and ieiences around Norfox, and also
paid visit OF inspection to the army Of the Potomac
&C. s. AZ immediately alter the battle Of Manassas
General Lee despatched the OF the
operations in that department to reconcile the differ
Baces between Brlgadier Generals Floyd and Wise,
Ind to aid Brigader General Lorng In the reorganza
Bion and recruiting OF the shattered forces OF Garnot
that with the aid OF the reinforce meuts sent tho
army there collected night be put in such condition
to prevent any aggressive movement of the enemy
and II the circumstances justified IT, to take the Of
fenstve Accompanied by two ades-de-camp, Colonel
John Washington and myself, he proceeded by rail
10 Staunton and thonce horseback TO Valley Noun
tain. Upon his arrival there he established himself
the headquarters OF General Lorng (now in the
Knedive's army, with whom he maint regular
and constant communication. lie never assumed i'm
mediate personal command OF the army. although
II vas understood that Brigadier General Loring
ia Tta
this section had sorry time. They
sorely afflicted with measles and malignant type Of
fever, which proslrated hundreds Of each command,
and beng entirely destitute OF proper food and other
supplies Indispensable TO The successful treatment OF
disease It Is not to be wondered at that medical skill
failed TO the terrible scourge. In the subse
quent campagns OF the Army OF Northern Virginia
the troops were subjected to great priv and to
many very severe trals-in hunger often; their
nakedness scarcely concealed; strength at times al
most exhsusted-but never d.d experience the same
heart sinking emotions as when contem plating the
wan faces and the emacated forms Of those hungry,
sckly, shvering men OF the army at Valley Mountain
well recall the fact that regiment OF North Carolina
volunteers, under Colonel Lee, that reported with
loo effective men, was IN very short time reduced
10 one-lhird OF It's original strength without ever hav
Ing been under fire.
"The bitter feeling which had been en- ngonderod be.
bween the TWO commanders tFloyd and W ise) had i'm
parted itself. in some degree, to the troops, and
seriously threatened to impair their efficiency. No
little diplomacy was required, therefore, to produce
harmony and hearty cooperation, where previously
had prevailed discord and contention
'joon sfter the arrival of General Lse mossougo
came with order from tho President, relieving
General Wise Of his command, and directing him to
repair 10 Richmond Tor assignments to another aeld OF
duty OF equal importance and dignity.
GENERAL LEE IN CAMP.
"Durpg the time that General Leo was ia the Do.
partment OF tho southwosl-his first service IN Tho
Held under Confederate auspces-he manifested ia at
eomplee sell abnegation end dislike Tor parade and
ceremony which later in the war became
characteristic Of him. Accompanied orIgi inaly
by saf OF but two persons, anu, alter
the death OF Colonel Washington with but
do.camp with escort nor podyguard,
no courlers nor guides. he made the campaign unuor
altogether unostentatious and really uncomfortable
circumstances Ono solitary tent constituted hts
headquarters camp this served for the General and
hts aid and when visitors were entertained as ac-
tuay occurred the General shared his blankets with
his aid turning over those oi the latter bis guest
His dinner service OF tin-un plates, tin cups tin
bowls, everything Of un--and consequently inde-
structble aud, to the annoy and disgust OF the
subordiuates, who sighed Tor porcelain, could not
would not lost. Indeed, with the help occasional
additions this TN furniture confined do service lor
several paigns and only IN the last year oil
the war, while the army around Petersburg, that
sot oil china was surrcptirousy introduced into the
baggage OF The headquarters OF The TINS DIS
placed ior timo The cbastc and elaborate plate but
on resuming hight marching order at the time OF
the evacuation OF Richmond and Petersburg. the
china, which had been borrowed by the stan,
turned; the tins were again produced and did service
pntii the surrender OF The army, when they passed
lnlo the hands OF Individuals VINO preserve them
rs msmsnoes OF The greatest commander In tho great
war;
General Taylor, Who OF Leo though he
were = demi-aod, ssys:-'scarcey less 10 be admired
tban his sublime devotion to duty was his remarkable
sell control General Lee was naturally OF positive
Temperament and Of strong passions and IL is mis-
take 10 suppose otherwise; but he held these IN
~1hiactinn u hLs lrlL ~ cnnscinncc Ha