San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-06-01
LEE AND GRANT.
A European Estimate or the Two Greatest Com'
mandrrs of The civil War.

The London Times, in opening
review of the military history OF Gen
Grant by Gen. Badeau, says: The OH
Ger who for months welded all thu
United States armies during the wa
between tho northern and southern
states of the Union, and atlength sub
iugated the latter, is one who assured
ly deserves that careful and exhaust
i've history should be written of his ca
reer as a commander. Sixteen years
after his browning triumph such his
tory has been given to the world. Inc
gifted author is that officer VINO
was Gen. Grants military secretary
during the period of his command IN
chief, and is, therefore, in a position
which secures him both full informa-
ton as regards facts, and accurate
knowledge of his chiefs plans, ideas,
and feelings. In addition, he had ac'
cess to all the correspondence OF the
Headquarters of the different northern
armies, all papers under the control OF
the war department, and mass OF the
reports and returns of the southern ar
mics. Still further have his materials
been swollen by communications from
many Of the principal northern gener-
al staff and naval officers, as well as
from Mr.. Stanton, federal secretary Of
war during the gigantic struggle. I'm
der these favorable conditions the work
could hardly fail of being worthy OF the
subject given-frst, reasonably good
literary skill; second, a well. balanced,
impartial mind on the part OF the wrl-
ter. As regards the first requisite, we
think it will be admitted that General
Badeau has arranged his story well and
writes with clearness, if not with bril-
liancy. As to the second requisite, we
cannot pronounce so favorable ver-
dict A bitter feeling of personal dis
like to all southerners is apparent In
every line, and colors the narrative SO
strongly that, although we may accept
facts, we are rendered suspicious about
criticisms and deductions. Among the
better classes in the northern states 1T
is considered in bad taste to speak or
write with rancor of their opponents in
the war and to characterize them as
rebels. Time is supposed to have con-
doned any offense that may have been
committed, and it is deemed true pat
riotism to cast veil over the events Of
1861 IS. General Badeau is profuse
in his use of the terms rebel and re-
bellion,' and writes of the gallant men
against whom he fought with a spirit OF
vituperation and petty malice which
sa3ors more of the lower class OF Yam
kee politician than professional Amer
lean soldier. So great is his virulence
that he never dreams of holding up
to public disgust the authors of some
atrocities undoubtedly perpetrated by
the general government and officers,
and rarely blames any federal COM
mander save when he is antagonistic to
Gen. Grant, or has failed to carry out
his wishes. Indeed, one would almost
imagine he was describing, not an open
and regular war between two groups Of
the North American states, but the sup
preston of a mutiny akin to that which
broke out in India in 1857. OF con-
federate generals his praise, when CIV
en-which is rarely is grudgingly be-
slowed, and, if possible, qualified. OF
Lee even he speaks with affected dis
paragement, though what, with his scan
ty resources, he accomplished. is more
creditable to him than that which was
effected by his conqueror. Making,
however, all due allowances for partial
ity on the one side and prejudice on
the other, we believe that this book will
greatly raise Gen. Grants reputation
as commander. An impression has
been prevalent that, having an enor-
nous superiority in numbers and stores
Gen. Grant merely hammered away till
by brute force he smashed the confed-
crate army. It may be true that a Wei
hngton, Napoleon, Won Moltke or
a Robert Lee would, by superior tactic
al skill, have effected his object with
less loss of life. Still, it must be adj
mitted that the conditions of the war
were special, and that granted, that the
slogging system was best adapted to
the circumstances, that system was car
ried out with much frmness and abili-
ty. 1t is very certain that Gen. Grant
was something more than a mere slcg-
cling general, and that he possessed
many of the qualities Of commander
of the first order"