Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-07-14
{ From the Philadelphia Weekly Times ]
Annals Of the War.
Chapters Of Unwritten History.
BY REV. ]. WILLIAM JONES' D. D.

Tn his testimony before the COMMITTEE on
Conduct of the War;" Msi Gen. Joseph Hook
er saws: "0ur artillery had always been su-
perior to that of the rebels, as was also our in
iantry except in discipline; and that, for rea-
sons not necessary to mention, never did equal
Lees army. With rank aud file rdsay IN
ferior 10 or 0pn intellectually and physically
that army had, by discipline alone, acquired a
character for steadiness and efficiency unsur-
passed, in my Judgment, in ancient or modern
times. We have not been able to rival it, nor
has there been any near approximation TO 1t IN
the other rebel armies" Italics mine
do not propose to enter upon 'odious COM
parson between the Army of the Northern
potomac and the Army OF Northern Virginia
as to the character of the men who composed
them; but think shall be able to show that
Gen. Hooker is entirely mistaken in attribut-
ing the confessed superiority Of the Army Of
Northern Virginia TO "disclpline alone, but
that this army was composed OF body OF men
who. in all the qualities which 90 to make up
what we call morale, were rarely If ever equal
led and never surpassed by any army that
ever marche or fought in all the tide OF
time"
The very circumstances which produced the
organization of that army called into it the
flower of the South. On the memorable 18th
day Of April 1861. the day on which the Nir-
ginia Convention passed its ordinance OF Be-
cession, | witnessed at the little village ol
Louisa Court House, Va, a scene similar to
those enacted all over the South, which none
who saw it can ever forget. The "Loulsn
Blues" volunteer company composed Of the
very best young men of the county, were
drilling at noon on the Court green when
telegram from Richmond ordered them 10 be
ready to take train Of cars at sundown that
evening. Immediately all was hustle and ac-
tivitv; couriers were sent in every direction to
notify abseutees. and in every household busy
fingers and anxious hearts were engaged ~ pre-
paripp these brave volunteers to meet prompt
iy the call Of their native Virginia. There
was scarcely laggard OF a skulseri IN the who.e
company. Delicate boys Of scarcely sixteen
WED with gray-hared fathers in eagerDess to
march to the post Of duty, and an hour before
the appointed time that splendid company
Numbering considerably more than its origi-
nal strength gathered at the depot where an
immense crowd had assembled to sec them of.
An aged minister Of the gospel spoke words
Of earnest counsel, and led the multitude IN
feryent PRAYER that the God Of Jocob might
20 forth with these patriot soldiers, keep them
in the way whittier they went, and bring them
back TO their homes in safety and peace but
above all. that he would shield them from the
vices Of the camp, and lead them into paths OF
righteousness.
TIE sFIRIT or 1861.
The man of God is interrupted by the shrill
whistle of the iron horse-the train dashes
up 10 the depot, all are soon aboard and amid
the waving of handkerchiels, the cheers Of the
multitude, and the suppressed sobs Of anxious
rnotbers. wives. sisters aud daughters, those
noble men 20 forth at the bidding Of the soy
ereipn power Of their loved and houored State.
At Gordonsville they are joined by companies
from Staunton. Charlottesville and the Uni
yers:ty of Virginia, and Culpeper, Orange,
and other counties along the route swell their
numbers as they hasten to the capture Of Har-
ner's Ferry. and the defense Of the border.-
I The call Of Virginia now echoes through the
land. and from seaboard to mountain valley
the tramp of her sons is heard. Maryland,
I the Carolinas. Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mis-
sissippi, Kentucky. Tennessee, Arkansas, Loui-
siana' Missouri and distant Texas catch the
sound-her sons in every climate heed the call
/ Of their mother State, and they rush 70 oui
Northern borde-, the very flower ofin,elligence
the wealth, the education, the social position.
the culture. the refinement, the patriotism and
the religion Of the South. to form the armies
Of the Shenandoah and Manassas and Nor
folk. which those masters of the art Of war
JOS. Z. Johnston aud Bcaurcsard, Doudcd