The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-24

SOUTHERN 1ISIOklCAL COClElt Al Ehs
FOR ApRIL.-This No. fully susains the
high reputation OF these invaluable contri
buttons to the "material for the future his
torlan."
-e.euvrm LANE Couuruucs his scI Ie1uaose
and valuable history Of his old North Caro-
lima brigade-treaiing in this No. Of the
second Manassas campaign.
The history Of the "Coniederate Flag y
and its various changes until the design OF
Major ARTHUR l.. ROGERS, Of Loudoun (son
OF General ASA ROoERs), was finally adopted
in February, 1865, is very interesting ac-
count OF "the conquered banner" of ever
glorious memory.
Rev. DR.. T. ID. WITHERsPoON concludes
bis very entertaining papers on "Prson Life
at Fort McHenry."
The official reports OF Brigadier. Generals
j. A. WALKER and j. NJ. JONES, OF General
ED. JoHEsoN's division, add important
links to the Gettysburg Series" which
these Papers have been making so full and
complete.
The report Of the battle of Shiloh, by In.
spect0r-General l.. ID. SAYDlDGE, has never
before been in print, and Is valuable con-
tributon TO the history OF that great bat
tie.
Colonel WILLIAM ALLAN, late chief OF
ordnance OF the Second Corps, Army
Northern Virginia, contributes very valu.
bic paper on the relative numbers at Cedar
Run (Slaughter's Mountain), fought be-
tween Generals BANKS and JACKSON In Au.
gust, 1862
General Ii. s. BEE makes very conclu-
sive reply to some statements in the Phla-
delphia Times in reference to the battle Of
Pleasant Bill.
General KERsHAw tells the touching story
of Sergeant john KIRKLAND, of Kersbaw
county, S. c., who risked his life at Frede-
10 order to carry water to wound
ed Federal soldiers who lay between the
lines; who was promoted to lieutenancy
for distinguished services at Gettysburg,
and who fell at Chicamauga in the hour Of
victory, covered with imperishabie glory.
Then follow editorial paragraphs and
literary notices.
DR.. JONES thus disposes of avery import
ant historical question:
General Longstreet's paper in the Phila-
delphia Times OF March 18th in reply to
Generals A. l.. Long and Fitz. Lee VIII ex-
cite attention and elicit wide comment.
We make here no criticism upon the afti-
Gle, and express no opinion upon the merits
Of the questions at issue.
But there is one statement made by Gen.
eral Longstreet which we feel called on to
notice, for reasons which will appear. In
reference to General Lees dnal and full
report OF the Pennsylvania campaign and
the battle Of Gettysburg" which we pub
lished in our Papers for July, 1876, Gene
raj Longstreet says: "Since bis (Lee's]
death another account has been published
by unofficial parties as his official report.
But it is paper prepared after both sides
were known, and for the special purpose OF
the original reports so that it
might be so construed as to meet the wishes
Of those who have combined to throw the
responsibility OF the failure upon my Shout
ders."
Now, II this statement Is true, we made
very serious blunder In publishing as Gen.
eral Lees report something patched up for
a purpose after his death, and grave sus-
picion Is east upon the authenticity OF the
reports we publish. But we think that
even General Longstreet. had he done us
the honor to read our introduction TO the
report Volume H.. peges 1894, would be
compelled TO admit the overwhelming proofs
OF the genuineness OF this report. We
have only space 10 repeat them very briefly
1. The report was originally published 10
l869-nearIytw two years before General Lees
death--by Mr.. William swinton (author OF
the Army Of the Potomac") In the Feb
ruary No. OF the Historical Magazine, New
York.
2. In April, 1889, General Lee told Gene.
raj Early that he Lad received the pub