West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-10-28
wOnsELEx IN THE SOUTH.

tion OF the Young OFFICER for Gen.
Ice.
l.. Q. Washington, an officer 10 the
Southern army IN the late war, aud 81
present the Washington correspondent Of
The Louisville Courier Journal, recalls a
visit of Gen. Sir Garnet Wolseley Chen
Lieut. Col. WOlseley)to Richmond In 1859.
Ar. Washington says:
~ had The pleasure of meeting him sev-
eral times during his very short stay in
Richmond, and OF showing him some Of
lts most beautiful views and most inter
esting associations. In the course Of a
walk and comparatively unrcserved con-
yersatiOn l was struck with the maturity
of his intellect, the accuracy vt his inior
nation and military knowledge, and his
happy faculty of putting his thoughts in
clear, nervous language. he gave me the
impression of ability aud force of cbarac
ter that were bound 10 make their mark
on history If ever he should have an OPP
portunity. And yet he spoke very mod
es,ly of the position and duties he was
then filling in Canada, which, it seemed,
were on the staff OF the qusrtermssters
service. This, however, did not exactly
correspond TO the quartermaster's service
in the United States or Confederate forces,
but comprehended also much that with
as would devolve on the engineer corps
or the higher officers of commanding
generals staff. II 10 twenty years since
we met, and many things have happened
since our brief acquaintance, but / recall
him as being about five feet nine or ten
inches high, with robust and well-propor
toned frame and look of ruddy health, a
quick, alert step, clear, open and hand
some face, quiet, easy manners, aud
peculiarly incisive, clear-cut style of con
yersation. Everything about him indica-
ted the energy, decision, alertness and
force of character which he has since dis
played in snppressing the Red-riyer insur-
rection in the Azhantee war, and over
coming the well-organized array and skill
full starategy of Arab Pasha. 1t was the
autumn of 1862, as we stood together on
Church Hill, and looked on the James
river and talked of the great events then
passing. The battle OF Antietam or
Shsrpsburg had recently been fought, and
Lees army, after contesting that field on
equal terms, though having only 80 600
plep to oppose upward of $4,000 under
Mcclellan, had recrossed the Potomac in
good order, and occupied the south side,
with headquarters ut Winchester. Cole
mel Wolseley had run the blockade on the
lower Potomac, aad was just winding up
a visit of some weeks 10 the Confederate
capital and Gen. Lees army. Greatly in
terested 10 his accout of the latter, l ex
pressed TO him the wish that on bis return
he would write out his observations for
publication in some English journal. He
did not directly promise to do this, but
half assented, and some months after his
departure was surprised to find IN the
January number of Black woods Maya
zine an elaborate narrative under the head
of "A Months Visit to the Confederate
Headquarters which had no difficulty
in recognizing as being from his pen, and
repeating In detail much of what he had
stated to me personally during the even
ing already mentioned. This article is
one of considerable length-some twenty
nine pages-and, as the production of
young officer, who has since risen to great
distinction, and held the weightiest respon-
sibilities. commenting upon ore of the
greatest wars of history from a perfectly
disinterested standpoint, it is we'll worthy
of reproduction, but have only space
TO glance at one or two points.
"The narrative of Col. Wolseley indi-
Gates, without stating, that he ran the
blockade through the lower counties Of
Maryland and crossed the Potomac oppo-
site to King George County, Va, whence
he passed on TO Fredericksburg. His ac
count of those counties of Maryland and
their condition, being neither peace nor
war, the perils aud chances of blockade
running, the guubost and the smuggler,
the first glimpse in Virginia of the waste
and havoc of war. the sacrifices made by
the people, and their lack of the most or
binary comforts of life, the transition TO
the Confederate capital, with its crowded
hotels and strange contrast of officers,
troops and hospitals, with the ordinary
pursuits Of life and surroundings all
breathing of beauty aud peace, his visit to
Drewry's Bluff and the Chickahominy.
his trip to Stanton and journey down the
valley to Lees headquarters, near Win
chester, bis observations upon the Confed-
crate army, their discipline, equipment
and morals, are al most interesting, and
show rare faculty Of observation which.
while rapidly Selling the points of greatest
value, was not iDsensible 10 what was pic
iuresqne and Romantic. Omrilng much
that would be most Interesting 20 repro.
duce, give you bis impressions Of Lee
He Is & f'rongly-built man, about five
feet eleven Ia height, and apparently not
more than fifty years Of age. His hair
and beard are yearly white, but bic dark
brown eyes eth shine With all the bright
ness Of youth, add beam With most
Pleasing expression. Indeed, bic whole
face is kindly and benevolent in ID. biyb.
CT degree. To manner, though suTleiepi
ly convertible, he is eighty reserved
bat be % . person that, whersyer sean.
whether ln castle or q hDvrf -f.r. go. a.