The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-15
The Fals or Richmond and ihe surrcn-
der Of General Lee.
LYNCHBUn0, June 80, 1881.


LYYCHBun0. June 80, 1881.
Editors Of ne Dispdtch; Ia recently
published interview with Senator Hill OF
Georgia, in regard TO certain statements In
Mr.. DayIs's book, the following passage oc-
ours: ...
Mr.. Hin. after referring to the fact that
he was one OF the committee OF the Conled-
crate Congress charged with investigating
the progress OF the war, before which COM
mittee General Lee was examined, proceeds
as follows:
After General Lee had explained the stu-
alton about Richmond j put the question
directly to him, q Will the fall OF Richmond
end The WARP"
.The old hero raised himself in the
chair. aud with great deal OF feeling SAID !:
By no means, sir; by no means. ln
military point OF view would be stronger
after than before such an event, because II
would enable me to make my own plan OF
c9mpajgn and battle. Ever since the con-
fjict began have been obliged 10 permit
the enemy to make my plans for me, be-
cause compelled 10 defend the capital.
When Richmond falls l shall be able to
make them for myself
"This emphatic statement shaped the
report of the committee in favor OF con-
tinulng the war, and ought to settle the
point conclusively that Lee never thought
Of surrender until be found that he could
not get bis army out and was obliged TO-"
Doubtless, Messrs. Editors, the reply Of
General Lee is correctly reported by the
Georgia Senator, and doubtless, too, Gene
raj Lee knew what he was talking about
when he made that reply. But 1t Will be
curious TO compare this expectation that The
war could be indefinitely protracted In Viz
GINA after the fall OF RicbmOnd with the
judgment OF an English civilian on the
same question. On February 3, 1860, the
late Richard Golden, a few months before
his death, addressed TO the American Minis
ter at Copenhagen (the Hon. b. k. Wood)
a letter expressive OF his sympathy with the
Union cause, and OF his confidence that II
was on the eve Of triumph. This letter
may be found on PIP. 251-254 OF McGil-
chrisl's Life OF Golden. The great English
free-trader was essentially man OF peace,
but his views, given of. hand, in regard to
the prlcticlbiIity OF continuing the war IN
Virginia after the loss OF the Confederate
capital, were wonderfully practical and
sound. Mr.. Cob1en writes:
&" II seems IN me that there are unmis-
taxable signs OF exhaustion in the Con-
IeU6TdcJ, anu IL MOulu uOJ NC aSh W nv
dict now that the famous NINETY days will
witness very decisive events in the progress
OF the war. / hold theory that in
these times, when armies require vast ap-
planes Of mechanical resources, and when
they are so much larger than in olden days,
it is impossible to carry on war without the
base of large cities. II the sea-ports be
taken, and Lee be obliged 10 evacuate Rich
mOnd, there will not be a town left in the
Confederacy with 10000 white inhabilants.
1t will be impossible to maintain perma-
nentIy large armies in the interior OF the
slave States, amid scattered plantations
and unpGued villages. You cannot in such
circumstances concentrate the means OF
subsistence or furnish the necessary equip
ment for an army. expect, therefore, to
see the loss Of the large towns lead to dis
person of the southern armies. | have
sometimes speculated on what course Lee
will take il obliged to abandon his position
at Richmond. / have my doubts whether
he will continue the struggle beyond the
borders OF his native State"
There is much food for thought in these
views, Messrs. Editors, aud leave the same
without comment to be digested by each
interested reader for himself. G.