Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-08-12

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sue. We might actually have entered
Chattanooga with the flying Federals,
and thus recovered the key to Georgia
and East Tennessee. Cen Bragg de-
clineG to follow up his advantage. The
enemy rallied, reformed, and Bragg
was driven back to Missionary Ridge.
! had n talk with Mr.. Davis shortly
after ChiCamauga. | told him that
there was no hope for the triumph Of
our arms. He said ho never remem-
bered having seen such movement
as ! proposed at Chicamauga. repli-
ed that If his memory would carry
him as far back as the first Manassas
he would see such movement. He
replied very tartly, and we had some
sharp words. These were arranged,
however, and we parted on good
terms"
In regard to the Confederate leaders
Gen. LOngstreet said: II am inclin.
cd to think that Gen. Joe Johnston
was the ablest and most accomplished
man that the Confederate armies pro-
duced. He never had the opportuni-
ty accorded to many others, hut he
showed wonderful power as a tactican
and a commander, DO not think we
had his equal for handling an army
and conducting campaign, Gen.
Lee was great lcader-wse, deep and
sagacous. His moral influence was
something wonderful, But he lost his
poise On certain occasions. No one
who IL acquainted with the fatcs can
believe that he would have fought the
battle Of Gettysburg had he not been
under great excitement, or that he
would have ordered the sacrifice Of
Pickett and his Nirciniaus ON the day
after the battle. He said to me after
wards, Why didn't you stop all that
thing TINT day? Al the wilderness,
when our lines hGd been driven IN
and / was just getting to the field,
Gen. Lee put himself at the head Of
one of my brigNdes, ard leading it in
TO action my men pressed him hack,
aud eaid TO him TINT If he would
leave my commands i'm my own hands
| would reform hia lines. His great
| soul r0s mnsterful within him when
a prlsis or disaster threatened, This
tended 10 disturb his admirable equi'
polsc. | loved Gen, Lee ~ q brother
while he lived, and revere his mem.
ory. He was Il great man, a born lend
cr, wise general but think John.
ston was The most accomplished and
capable commander thRt we had"
As to the Union leaders, Gen Long
street sNid exactly what any one
knowing his history since the war
would have expected him to say
Grant was incomparably the great.
est. lie possessed an individuality
TINT impressed itself upon all that he
did. Mcclellan was skillful engi-
neer, hut never rose above the aver
age conclusions Of his council. Sher-
man never foughta great battle and
dIplayed no extraordinary power.
But Grant was great. He understood
the terrible power Of concentration
and peraistency How stuhbornly he
stuck to Vlcksburg aud 70 Richmond
He concentrated all his strength, train
ed his energies, to single purpose
and then delivered terrible sedge
hammer blows against which strategy
and tactics and vaor could avail moth
ing. He knew that mnjorIties prop
orly handled must triumph In war u,
In politics, and he always gathered
hs resources together before striking
In regard to the AppomattoX sur
render he said 4; For some time hat
felt that we were fitting ngiust hope
! kept my lips closed aud Tough
ahead in silence. For tho week pre-
, ceeding the surrender | fought almos
wilhought ceasing | was covering
Gen. Lee's retreat, while Gordon
. opened n way for him in front. hat
= Fields division, nll that was left
I The Fedoral's pressed upon us relent
Q lessly and wo fell back, hghtIng nigh
q and day, inch by inch, covering th
+. slow retreat Of our wagon trains. Ou
- lines wero never once broken or die
q ordered. My men fought with th
|, finest regularity and heroism. Whel
= ever placed Il brigade there II woul
4 stand until ordered 1t away. wa
r among my men constantly. 80 that
A know little Of the general situation
I Early In the morning Gen. Lee sen
4 for me, and Mt once went to hin
- lie was In deep concern. lie state
10 TO me that his retreat had been cut o
y mud Il was impossible for him to eI
/. cape the circle that was drawn abou
y HIM. III that ls the case General,
I replied, you should surrender the NJ
d my. II escape Is impossible, not af
other life should DO sacrificed Get
;. Lee then began TO talk about the dl
tross aud trouble thatsurrender woul
!. bring upon his country nbd his pc,
"a plc. That cannot bo put against III
/. useless shedding Of these brave men
n blood. IT. you are satisfied that 80
/. cannot save the army II should |
% surrendered. The people will kno
70 that you have done oil that mau ca
|, do He then told me that he had dl