The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-03
| cause has made the scarlet Of his sins like

AS the autumn OF the year (lSel) passeo
away, the question of army organization
pressed for solution. Divergent opinions were
held by the Government at Richmond and Cen
erals Johnston and Besuregard. The former |
views, and urge their adoption. My mission |
met with no success bot, in dscharging II,
was made awsre of the estrRngement growip g |
mp between these eminent persons, which sub |
became " the spring of woes unnum- |
bered." An earnest effort was made by me to |
remove the cloud. then mo greater than
mans hand, >" failed, though the elevation OF
character of the two men, which made them
listen patiently to my appeals, justified hope.
Time bnt served to widen the breach. With
ont the knowledge and despite the wishes OF
oient dwellers in the cave of Adullam gathered
themselves behind bis shield and shot their ar
rows at President Davis and his advisers-
weakening the influence of the head OF the
csnse for which all were struggling. lmme-
diately after the birth of the Confoderacy,
resolution was adopted by the Provisional
Congress-" declaring that military aud naval
officers resiGning the service of the United
States Government, to enter that of the Con-
federate, would preserve their rank. Later on
the President was authorized to make five ap-
appointments were announced after the action
at Manassas, aud in the following order OF
seniority Samuel Cooper. Albert Sidney John;
ston, Robert E. Lee Joseph E. Johnston and
Buchanan's administration, in 1860, died Gen
eral Jessup, the Quartermaster General of the
United States Army, and Joseph Z. Johnston,
then lieutenant colonel of cavalry, was ap-
pointed to the vacancy. Now, the Quarter
master of the United States Army had the rank,
pay and emoluments of q brigadier- general; but
the rank was staff, and by law this officer could
exercise no command over troops unless by
special sssignment of his govern ment. When,
in the spring of 1861, the officers in question
offered their services to the Contsderacy,
Cooper was adjutant general United States
Army-rank of colonel; Albert Sidney john
ston, colonel, brigadier-general by brevet. and
on duty as such; Lee, heutenant-oolonel OF
cavalry, senior to Joseph Z. Johnston In the
line before the lstters appointment above
mentioned; Beauregard, major of engineers.
President Davis held to the superiority OF line
ity of generals. General Joseph E. Johnston
that ipi Justice was done him. After the grave
and wondrous scenes through which we nave
pot" but it had much influence at the time,
and deserves attention. General Johnston mas
published his account of the war, and 1t IL nm
derstood that Mr.. Davis has q volume In press;
and such of the public as may feel an intereet
in the subject will doubtless find all the facts
presented. General Beauregard, who about
West, commanded by Albert Sidney Johnston,
| was also known to have grievances. Whatever
| their source, it could not have been rank, as
this did not affect his position but it is due to
| this general, true patriot and q gentleman OF
excellent taste, to cay that no utterances came
from him. Indiecreet persons at Richmond
| C aiming the privilege, and discharging the
duties OF friendship, gave tongue to louo aud
| frequent plaints and much increased the con-
| fusion of the hour
As the year 1862 opened, and the time for
| active movements drew near, weighty cares
attended the commander of the Army of North.
ern Virginia. The folly of accepting forces for
| the short period of twelve months, to which
allusion has already been made, was now aP
parent. Taking service in the spring of 1861
the time of most of the troops would expire
just as the Federal host in their front might be
expected to advance. a large majority OF th'
men were willing and anxious to re- enlist pro
| vided they could first go home to arrange prl
vate affairs Fortunately, the fearful condition
| of the country permitted the granting OF fur
| louRhs on a large scale. Excepting on a few
pixies movements were impossible, and an
| army could no more have marched across
country than across New York Bay. Closet
warriors. in cosy studies, with smooth moAdaH
| roadw before their doors, sneer at the idef
of military movements being arrested by mud
| Iapprebend these gentlemen have never served
| in q bad country during the rainy season, auc
| are ignorant of fact that in his Rnssia
| campaign the elements proved too strong tol
the genius of Napoleon. General Johnston me-
the difficulties of his position with great COOL
ness tact and Judgment, but his burden wat
by no means lIghteued by the interference o
certain politicians at Richmond. These gen
tlemen were perhaps iplamed by the success
that had attended the tactical efforts OF theli
Washington peers. At all events, they nov
threw themselves upon military question
with much ardor. The leader was Mr.. Alex
Rnder ID. stephens, OF NeorSlb ticS-H Lesioeh
of the Confederaoy, who is entitled to place
by himself. Like the celebrated John Ran
dolpb, of Roanoke, he has an acute intellect
attached to a fragile and meagre body Al
was said by the witty Dean of st. Paupa o
Francis Jeffrey, his mind is in state of inde
cent exposure. A trained and skillful poltl
clan, he was for many years before the war re
turned TO the United States House of Repre-
sentatives from the district in which he resides
and his " device" seems always to have beel
" Fiat 1stitis, ruat c0 'um.
When, in December, 1849 the Congress o
the United States assembled, there WAS VIII
, Ad administration, and the same party had
very small majority in the Lower House. Ell
of the House but he coad not see his wa.
, to support his party candidate for Speaker, AM
f this inability to fad a road-plain, may hap, +
/ weaker organs-secured the control of tn
> House to his political rivals. During tn
exciting period jest preceding secession, MI
: Stephens held and avowed wise and moderat
r opinions; bat, swept along by the resistles
torrent Surrounding him, he discovered an an,
, proclaimed the fact that slavery was tb
/, | cf ha CoufcdpracY,O lIrAntini