The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-09-12

The following letter will he read
with deep interest, especially by Tex
ans:
FANNIN COUNTY, Sept. 1, 1878.
Editors Democratic Statesman:
In late issue of the Courier journal
! notice a review of the life of Gen.
Albert Sidney Johnston by his son,
Col. Preston Johnston. la this review
Col. Johnston is reported as saying
that at the time Santa Anna invaded
Texas in 1885 Gen. Houston ''could
have confronted him with 800 or 400
men, defeated him and carried the
Texan arms far enough into Mexico 70
have settled the question ot indepeB-
dence forever" This certainly very
greatly exaggerates the Texan forces at
the time. But, says the review, "Hous-
ton, although good stump speaker,
had not one single quality which
fitted him for the position he then
held. He acted like man psralyzed
by sense of incompetency." Farther
this unfortunate review, in abiding TO
the Alamo and Salado, says: 'tHere
were 620 brave men uselessly butch
ered-sacriiced by the timid and tenn
porizing policy of the Texan COM
mander." Now, the writer of this was
reared in Texas and the story of the
campaign of San Jacinto," the
same that was so well and ably
rehearsed in the columns Of the
STATESMAN by Col. John NJ. Wade, he
has been used to hear and read from
his very childhood. And he was also
under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston al
the time of his death, on the bloody
field of Shiloh. And, like all true
Texans, he will ever venerate the name
of his lamented chief, who snatched
the victor's wreath from the brow oi
U. s. Grant and died at the moment oi
the greatest victory that was evei
achieved for the South. Had John.
ston survived Shiloh, as Houston
Though wounded) did Sau Jacinto,
the story of a successful revolution foi
the South would now be told just ~
it Is of Texas. Bu. in telling of the
deeds Of Johnston, we cannot see why
his SON should seek to mar the fame ol
Houston. Or rather we are thunder
struck to find Gen. Basil Duke or Col
Preston Johnston so profoundly igno-
rant OF the true history Of Texas
For here, at least, il is well known
fact that the butcheries of the Alamo
and Goliad were caused by dIsobe-
| dience to the orders of Houston
Surely such historic mIsstatements ~
this will not be suffered 70 pass un-
noticed, and We hope TO see questions
raised thoroughly ventilated in the
columns OF the STATESMAN. Ii
warlike point Of view, Houston
and Johnston were similarly sltuated,
Both had partial deleat aud over
| whelming odds to contend against.
But there was this difference. Gen.
Johnston had q civilized foe. he alsC
had civilized men under him Better
educated men nor better drilled sol
dIers never followed any leader in any
age or country.
Houston had barbarian and des
pot 70 fght, and everybody knows thai
the Texan army" go called) wa
nothing but an nnruly mob Of adven
turers and wild frontiersmen. No mar
could have commanded them more
skiIlfully or more successfully than die
Sam Houston. Gen. Johnston in Tt'
treating after Donaldson, and rapidly
concentrating bis forces st Coriuth,
and finally striking Grant ss Shiloh,
certainly accomplished the grAndesi
feat Of the whole inteE-Stzts war. Bat
in doing this be displayed only th.
came kind Of generAlEhip a. did Hous
ton, the difference being that John
ston's antagonists were already widely
divided, while Houston had 70 ..di
vide and Conquer, I" which be did abl.
and well.