Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-01-27

served-and especially of those who were
killed."
"What developments have you noticed in
the records so far?"
81 find a good many mistaken opinions
vanishing under the figures Of the record. ]
should have mentioned, that in closing the
records of battle, we print the official returns
ofthe force in each army, issued before the bat
tie. Now, it has been generally thought that
at the frs. Manassas the Federals vastly out.
numbered US. The records show that they
had only about 5000 the advantage in point
of numbers, each army having about $4,000
men. thoug ht they had at least 10000. l
suppose, as we complete the records of other
battles, we shall dispel many popular errors. y
"You do not find that the same mistake
exists as to comparative numbers throughout
the WARP"
"Oh, no sir. The records show incontesta-
bly, that for four years we waged war with
the proportions of three to one against US.
The records show that the Federals had.
from first to last, 100000 in the field.
can only approximate the Confederate total,
but it is safe to say that it will not exceed
100000. The study'Sf the records on both
sides has increased my admiration for the
valor and proves of my people, without de-
preciating my estimate of the bravery Of the
Federal troops
Don't the records show that the credit of
battle is frequently misplaced p
"Yes. That is probably the most striking
feature of discovery. For instance, at the
battle Of Richmond, KY, very brilliant
maneuvre was executed by which General
Preston Smiths brigade was depoyed rapidly
and thrown on the flank of the enemy, giving
us a victory over an army double ours in
number, and the capture of thousands OF
prisoners. The credit of this has been given
to General Kirby Smith; but the records
show that. General Preston Smith conceived
the movement and executed it on his own
responsibility, without the orders or knowl.
edge of General Kirby Smith. A great
many cases Of this sort will be brought to
light"
General Lees, "Whose reports are the
dearest and best from the Confederate side ?"
beyond comparison. His papers are perfec-
ton. He never wrote line or issued an or
der that did not have the same dignity and
perspicuity that it would have had if prepared
under the most deliberate. circumstances
The slightest scrap from him, bears the i'm
press of greatness Of the cavalry generals,
Wheeer's reports are the most admirable.
Indeed, his are hardly equalled by any Of our
generals. They are clear, complete and SOL
derly. Indeed, when the records show what
perfect confidence all our leaders had in
Wheeler, and with what percison and fidelity
he performed his duty, he will be considered
one of the first men of the war"
"What papers are you most struck with
from the other side ?"
"Well, especially, 1 should say that Gen.
McClernands report Of Shiloh is the best
single official report, perhaps, rendered Of
battle during the war. But the papers that
fill me with amazement and admiration are
President Lincoln's. All, there was one Of
the greatest of men. He, perhaps, trusted
less of his work to an amanuensis than any
other leading man. Nearly all his orders
were writtenb by his own hand, and the origi
nails were forwarded, the copies of them being
kept His letters to Hooker removing him
from command was a masterpiece. Like
Hamlet to his mother, it is kind and yet
severe-and matchess. think posterity will
adiudge Lincoln and Lee to be the really
great men of the war.
"Has Mr.. Davis availed himself freely Of
the records in the preparation Of his forthcom-
ing histcry?"
made, should say. His research has been
perfect, and he will hardly state anything
for which he will not be ready with his au-
thority. If Mr.. Davis can only keep his
personal antagonisms out of his book, it will
be standard authority"
Have you the letter Of Gen. Hardee de.
cliniDg to take Johnston's place as comman-
der of the army Of Tennessee ?"
"Yes sir; and most admirable letter it
is. 1t is frank, soldierly letter, in which
the promotion is declined simply because the
writer felt that he was not capable of filling
the position. General Hardee's reports were
all models of excellence" I"
"Do you have any sort of disagreement
with Colonel Scott as to the arrangement OF
matter or as to what shall be printed ?"
"None at ALL Our agreement is perfect.
There is but one wish, and that is to pub.
lsh the records just as they are and let the
work stand on the records AS for Colonel
Scott, he is peculiarly fitted for the work he
has in charge. By education, temperament
and inclination, he is the very man for the
task. He is the embodiment of fairness"
take the liberty of adding that General
Wright is all that he claims for Colonel
Scott. The people of the South may rely
absolutely on fair and square representa-:
tion of their case just as it stands. General
Wright will see that her soldiers, living and
dead, are put on the record they made for
themselves and this is all that any of US
could ask. In doing this he will build mon.
ument to his comrades higher and whittier than
any yet uplifted to the sun, and will merit
the gratitude of every Southerner
H. w. G.