The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-20

this respect the Duke of Wellington. and not
Nelson. who, on the eve of the battle of Ira
falgar, said: Tomorrow will give me grave In
Westminster Abbey or peerage.'n
The conversation then turned to Sherman
The Southern papers had been criticzing very
bitterly the march through Georgia and the
Carollnas, and asked General Lee his opinion
OF the famous tanker
There is he said, ''no character so uniformly
bright as not to possess some dark stains; but
while this observation is generally true. charity
should lead US to believe that there are
no hearts so darkly vicious as not
to be lllumined by beams Of virtue. TO suppose
Sherman an exception to this rule would be
illibeIal. The unbounded license which he al
lowed his soldiers has greatly aggravated the
horrors OF this dreadful war. But as strate-
gist and commander Sherman has displayed the
highest order Of ability. Throughout his recent
campaign, when he had to pass through an UNI
known country, to cross rivers and support his
troops, ne has certainly displayed a simpleness
OF purpose, fertility of resource which will for
ever win for him high place among the soldiers
OF history. He seems to be cool, yet ardent,
cautious without being dilatory patient without
being dispirited and doubtless his name, next
to Grant will remain as the greatest of the
generals upon the federal side in the history of
the war" He also spoke of Sheridan as
brilliant and dashing soldier.
To the question, 'sWhat, General Lee, in your
opinion, caused the failure of the South2' II
not a very good extemporaneous speaker he
superiority in the immense numbers of your
soldiers and in your unbounded resources. The
North had all the advantages, land OF vast
wealth. cities secure from the evils of civil war.
and constant stream of emgrants from Ireland
and Germany to replenish your diminished
ranks. In a speech of Mr.. Everett, which
have been reading this very day, he states that
there were at one time 100000 Irishmen in the
never more than 1000, 900. With five to one
against them, the men of the Confederacy per
tremendous step toward their independ-
ence Another cause lay in the en-
thusiasm of many of our people. The first
battles being favorable to us, they became wild
with excitement. The whole South was carried
away in acclamations. much more serious
difficulty arose from mistaken view OF the
Southern cause held by European philanthro
pists. They were led to believe that we were
fighting for the perpetuity of slavery This err
roneous opinion shook the faith of great and
good men in the humanity and Righteousness of
our cause.
''The c. script law was another effective
check to our success Instead of being benft
1T was an injury-a badge of disgrace. 1t ia
vored wealthy men, and falsehOod and dissimu-
lation were its natural results, while suspicion
and mistrust arose where confidence and re-
lance should have prevailed. The attitude
Of Mr. Davis and his advisers in oppo-
sltion to the arming of the negroes, policy
which l always believed to be expedient proved
most disastrous. The widespread poverty of
the country, accompanied by the just conviction
that all further efforts were hopeless, these and
many other influences worked to the failure of
the Confederacy"
. Our next topic of conversation was the Eu-
ropean element in the two armies. Speaking of
the Irish he declared with much feeling that the
South could not reconcile, with their ideas of
consistency, how Irishmen, who were so violent
ly opposed to the thraldom of Britain. could
list on the Northern side when ali the wrongs Of
Ireland were mosquito bites in comparison to
those inflicted on the South"
Advertng to the character of the Irish as SOL
diers, the General paid them high compliment.
Cleburne, he said, was possessed of hero's
heart and a soldiers honor. On field of battle
he shone like meteor in a clouded sky. Not a
single vice stained him. The care which he took
OF his soldiers was incessant. His integrity was
proverbial.
I>4aentioned the name of Thomas Francis
Meagher as the popular idol Of the Northern
Irishmen. Yes continued he '.Meagher on
your side, though not Cleburne's equal in mill
tary genius and experience, rivaled him in brav-
cry and in the affections of his soldiers. The
heroic stand and desperate though fruitless gal
lantry of that brigade of Meagher upon the
| heights of Fredericksburg, never has been
equaled. Though totally routed, they reaped a
harvest of glory. Their reckless and splendid
charges upon our lines excited the heartiest ap-
plause of our soldiers and officers. Meagher
was the bravest of the brave"
inquired about the residence of John Mitch
me the address, and continued: Mitchell is a
born confederate powerful and brilliant
writer, scholar of splendid ability, gallant
gentleman. to the South always true, and
tower of strength to our cause"
Speaking of Stonewall Jackson, he remarked
that the whole army felt his loss Sin surprises,
marches, and in the art of creating the resources
of war" said General Lee, jackson far sur
passed the men of his age, and rose to compar
ison with Sheridan and Hooker of the Northern
army. In every relation of private and public
life his character was perfect The South has
produced many able soldiers, but it can never
point to one more beloved"
AS rose to take my departure, General Lee
again referred to General Grant, praising his
great and tender heart and his thoughtful re-
| membrance of the poor Southern people.
In my volume on ''Sherman's Campaigns"
this interview with General Lee is referred to,
but it has not before been written out so COM
pletely as now. I made full notes at the time,
Immediately after leaving General Lee, and his
frequently repeated declaration of his feeling
toward General Grant impressed me very
deeply.
Bishop Huntington ON Roller Skating.
New York Evening Post.