The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-06-24

Under the above title the Messrs. Scribner
have published small volume covering tho
history OF the Army OF the Potomac during the
nine months which interviewed between July.
1863. and April 1864. The matter contained in
these eighty pages Inns been collected. digested.
and arranged by Gen. A. A. HUMPHREYS. and it
WAS originally intended to form the first part Of
tho admirable account OF the Virginia CAM
paign OF "a and '65 for which we nre
indebted to that officer. During the whole Of
tho period under review Gen. Humphreys was
chief Of stan to Cen. Meade. and therefore. so
far as opportunities OF information are con-
cerned. he Is better qualified than any man now
living to discuss tho purpose and the conduct
OF the military operations which filed UP the
interval between the repulse OF Lees second
invasion and the battles in the Wilderness.
We need here advert only to the circumstances
which mako Con. Humphreys the paramount
authority upon disputed questions OF fact re-
latng to the topics discussed in this book. 1t
would be superauous to speak OF the abilities
and professional attachments which render 1t
certain that the special advantages derived
from the position Of chief OF stan to Gen.
Meade would. In this instance. q In the case
Of the larger volume. which we have previous.
ly noticed. BIO improved to the utmost by Gen.
Humphrey. Among the subjects Of cOntro-
versy upon which the judgment pronounced by
Gen. Humphreys is likely to be accepted as final
may be mentioned tho alleged failure OF Gen.
Meade to follow up tho victoryAt Gettysburg
with sufficient promptitude and vigor. At the
time tho Federal commander was severely
blamed for not attacking the Confederate forco
In its intrenchments on the 18th and 18th OF
July. twas fortunate for the Northern cause
that no such attack was made. for the probable
consequence would have been a shattering Of
Meades army. succeeded by the capture OF
Baltimore or Washington This inference can
hardly be avoided in view OF the fact brought
out by Gen. Humphreys. that the careful
survey OF the enemy's intrenched position"
which WAS subsequently made. showed that an
assault upon 1t would have resulted dis
astrously to u.s." 1t will also be remembered
that Gen. Meade was harshly criticised for not
pursuing Leo more rapidly between July s and
July H. hts critics being apparently impressed
with the idea that tho Confederate commander
might have been overtaken before his intrench-
ments were made formidable. On this head
Gen. Humphreys does not express a categorical
opinion. He acknowledges. in fact that pos
sibly prompt. vigorous. direct pursuit by
the whole army on the morning OF the 9Th OF
July by the Cashtown and Fairfield passes.
would have brought on general engagement
before the Army of Northern Virginia had taken
up the position covering the crossing places OF
the Potomac" But. upon the whole he deems
1t probable that the Federal forces could not
have reached Hagerstown before the evening
Of July Z. and Lee would. therefore. have had
the few hours needed to make his intrench-
monts too strong for successful attack"
Gen. Humphreys is 80 discreet and wary in
tho bestowal Of praise that words OF emphatic
eulogy have In his mouth. great Significance
or Gen. Warren's gallant behavior during the
movement to Centreville In October when. in
NJ tIvn ntv-f four hs,,r In
cessfully encountered the enemy who were in
superior force) and marched over twenty-five
miles. we are told that the handling Of the
Second Corps In this operation and the
promptitude. skill. and spirit with which the
enemy were met were admirable. and might
form an excellent model for the conduct OF q
rear guard"
On the other hand. although his language Is
sober and circumspect. 1t Is plain enough that
Gen. Humphreys holds Gen. French mainly
chargeable for the miscarriage Of the attempt
made by Meade toward the close Of November.
1858. to surprise Gen. Lee In his encampments
south OF the Rapidan. and to overcome tho
Confederate forces In detail. According to the
author OF this volume. the plan had many
chances OF success and was only frustrated
through the failure OF the Third
Corps. commanded by Gen. French, to
unite with the Second and sixth
Corps. ON the morning OF the second day at
Robertson's tavern. Much more peremptory is
the language in which Gen. Humphreys re-
Dukes the incompetence displayed by Kilpat-
rick during his raid against the Confederate
capital In February and March. 1864. 1t is well
known that on March / Fitzpatrick. with q
force then consisting Of some 8. 500 cavalry and
battery OF horse artillery. reached the interior
line OF the defensive works Of Richmond. 40
cording to his own report. he was intending 10
attack about O'Clock In the day. whom he saw
| the enemy receive Ie6nforcements OF infantry
and artillery" being thereupon convinced that
bis attempt would prove what he was pleased
to term bloody failure" he withdrew his
command. Let US mark now the comment OF
Gen. Humphreys on Kilpatrick's excuse and
upon his duty In the premises. As to the re-
endorsements OF infantry and artillery which
the Federal commander thought he saw"
pour into the enemy's intrenchments
these must have been mostly mon In
buckram. for Con. Fitzpatrick was mis-
taken; the only force opposed to him vss