The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-24

tina. most Of the animals in his cavalry and artillery
were owned by The privates and he would like
10 know, under the terms, whether they
would be regarded as private property or
the property OF the government l said unaer
terms of surrender they belonged 70 the govern
menI General Ice read over the letter and said that
was 80. l then said ~ The General that believed
hoped this the last battle OF the war. and
saw the wisdom OF these men getting home and to
work possible, and that would give orders
to allow any soldier ofhcer claiming horse or
mule 10 take Il. General Lee showed some emotion
at this-a feeling which also shared-and said It
would havo a most happy effect The interview
ended, aud gave orders for ratouing his troops Inc
next day met Lee horseback and we had long
talk In that conversation urged upon Lee the wis
dom OF ending the by the surrender Of the other
armies. ! asked HIM TO his influence with the
people Of the South-an influence that was supreme
10 bring the war 10 tho end. General Lee sara
that his campaign in Virginia the last organized
resistance which the South was capable OF
n.aktng-that 1 might have to march good deal
encounter isolated commands hero and there; but
there was no longer any army which could make
stand told Lee that this fact emily made his re-
sponsibiity greater and any further war would %
crime. 1 asked him to go among the Southern people
and mis- influence TO have all men under arms sur
render on tho terms given 70 the army OF
~
without consultation with President Davis. was
sorry saw that the Coniederacy had gone beyond
of President Davis and that there was moth
ing that could he done except what Lee could do 10
benefit the Southern people. l was anxious TO get
them home and have our armies go to their homes
ana fields. But Lee would not move without Davis,
and as a matter OF fact at that ume, soon alter,
DAVIS was fugitive in the woods"
. JEFFERSON DAVIS AND THE SOUTH.
An ailusion made TO tho feeling in the South
that Davis was injury the Coniedsracy and did
not do hts best al never thought So, said tho Gen.
eral ..Davs did his BEST did all that any could
do, to save the Confsderaoy. This argument is like
the arguments current in history that the war
was war against windms and that II one man or am
other had been in authority the result would have
been different; that some more placaole man tnah
DAVIS could have made better fight This Is not
true. The var was tremendous war; and no one
knows better THAN those VINO were N It. Davis DID
all could aud all any could for the south The
South was beaten from the beginning. There was NO
victory possible for any resting upon the
platform Of the Southern Coneaeracy. Just as soon
as the war united aroused the young mon OF the
North and called out the national feeling there was
no end but the end that came. did all he could
Tor his side, and how much he did no one knows bot
|, ter than those who were in the feld''
. sroxEwALL JACKSON
s.I had q letter from Mosby." said the General,
s.some time ago. deprecatipg some attack had made
upon Stonewan Jackson wrote him there must be
some mistake, as mad never attacked Jackson"
Your correspondent asked the General how he
ranked Jackson among soldiers. 81 knew stonewal
Jackson said the General, Eat West Point aud in
Mexico. At West Point he into the school at
an older age than the average and began with low
grade. But he had much courage and energy,
worked SO hard and governed his lie by discipline
30 stern that he steadily worked his way along and
far above others who had moro advantages.
Stonewal Jackson, at West Point, was In state OF
constant Improvement. He was q religious man then,
and some OF regarded him as fanatic. Some
times his religion took strange iorms-hy pochon.
dria-fances that evil spirit had taken possession
OF him. But he never relaxed IN his studies or his
Christian duties. ! knew him In Mexico. He was
always bravo and trustworthy officer,
mono more so In the army. never knew
him or sncountored him in the rebellion.
question whether his campaigns in Virginia justify
his reputation great commander He was killed
too soon, and before his rank allowed him great
command. II would have been Jest OF gcneraIship
il Jacks ON Sherman in the Valley instead Of
! some OF the he did meet. From all know OF
jackson and all l OF his campaigns have little
| doubt OF the result. IL Jackson had attempted OF
Sheridan the tactics attempted successfully upon
stroysd. Sudden, daring raids, under fine general
like jackson, might do against raw troops and mex
| perienced commanders, spcn as we had in the be-
ginning Of the war, az ainst drilled troops and
| a commander like Sheridan. Tho tactics for which
jackson Is famous and which achieved such remark
able results belonged entirely to the beginning oil the
war ana 10 the peculiar conditions under which tho
| earlier battles were fought They would have
| ensured destruction to any commander who
| tried them upon Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan
Meade. or, in TACT, any OF our great generals Conse
| quently Jackson's tame as general depends upon
| achievements gained before his generalsnip was
test ed before he had chance OF matching himself
with a really great commander. No doubt so able
! and patient man as jackson, who worked hard
| at anything he attempted would have adapted him.
self to new conditions and risen with them. de died
| before his opportunity. always respected Jackson
personally and esteemed his sincere and manly
character He impressed me always a man of the
| Crom we'll stamp, Puritan-much more OF The N sw
Englander than the virgnian. II any man believed
in tho rebellion no did And bis such TINT
| whatever no believed In became deep religious
duty, duty he would discharge at any cost 1t is a
mist.ke to suppose That ever had any feeling for
stonewall jackson but respect Personally, were
always good friends his character had points
merit, aud although he made the mistake OF lighting
against his country II did cons cicn-
tiousy he was the man."
LEE AS COMMANDER.
This led to a remark TO the great aud universal
fame OF Lcc-especially IN Europc-a reputation which
seemed TO grow every day.
II never ranked Lee 40 high some others OF the
army y said the General .Ihat Is say. never had
as much anxiety when he was in my front $ when
| Joe johnston was In 'front.'. Lee was good man, a
| lar commander, who had everything in his favor.
| He was u man who needed suushios. He sup
ported BY tho unanimous voice OF the South he was
supported by largo party in the Norm he had the
support and ympathy Of the outside world. All this
10 OF an immense advantage to general Lee had
| this IN a remarkable degree. Everythi ne did was
right He was treated like demi-ged. Our generals
had hostile press, lukswarm friends ana public
| opinion OUTSIDE The cry was in tho air that the