Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-19

sverse to speaking of himself, often in tn
third person, and he could bestow prais
upon the person he was talking abou
without the least embarrassment" Blu
'both were great and successful soldiers
both were true, patriotic and upright il
all their dealings. Both were pleasant t.
serve under-Taylor was pleasant t.
serve with" Buell. is called a "brave
intelligent officer, with as much profes
sional pride and ambition of a com
mendabie sort as l ever knew. NJ
one who knew him believed him capable
of dishonorable act" A. s. Johnston
is described as "a man of high character
and ability" but vaciilating and unde
cided in his actions. General Grant
thinks that "as ageneral he was over
estimated" Gen. Rawlins was IAN able
man, possessed of great frmness, and
could say no 80 emphatically to request
which he thought should not be granted
that the person he was addressing would
understand at once that there was no use
of pressing the matter. General Rawlins
was very useful officer in other ways
than this. became very much attached
to hin" ITO General F. P. Blair the credit
is given of saving st. Louis at
the outset of the war. Floyd was "a
man of talent enough for any civil
position" but mo soldier" and
further untitled for command for the
reason that his conscience must have
troubled him and made him afraid.''
Pillow was "conceited," and Buckner
though junior to Floyd and Pillow,
much the most capable officer" Of
GenerslsC. F. Smith, it is said: "His
personal courage was unquestioned, his
judgment and professional requirements
were unsurpassed" General w. H. L..
Wallace was "a most estimable and able
officer" 1t need hardly be said that
Grants praise of Sherman is most hearty
and brief allusion conveys his high
opinion of Sheridan.
COMMANDER is ONLY MORTAL.
General Grant says that his Mexican
war experience and his West Point life
were of immense service" to him in the
Evil war through what he had learned
If those to whom he was opposed:
My appreciation Of my enemies was
affected by this knowledge.
The natural disposition of most people is
20 clothe commander of a large army
whom they do not know with almost
abilities. A large part of
he national army, for instance, and most
IF TIE press of the country, clothed Cen
sral Lee with just such qualities,
but l had known him personally, and
knew that he was mortal, and it was
ust as well that l felt this.
THE ARMIES COMPARED.
Speaking comparatively of the Union
md Confederate armies, Gen. Grant
ays:
The north had a greater number ofI
and trained soldiers, but the
,ulk of them were still in the army and
we're retained, generally with their old
command and rank, until the war had
asted many months. In the Army of the
Potomac there WAS what was known as
he Regular Brigade" in which, from |
he commanding officer down to the
'oungest second lieutenant, every one
vas educated to his profession. So, too,
nth many of the batteries; all
be officers, generally four in
lumber to each, We're men educated for
b: ir profession. Some of them Went
ntoAhe battle at the beginning under
vision commanders who were entirely
7iihout military training. This state of
fairs gave me an idea which | expressed
lille at Cairo-that the government
ught to disband the regular army, with
ne exception of the staff corps, and Eo-
fly the disbanded officers that they
'ould receive no compensation while
he war lasted, except as volunteers.
he register should be kept up, but the
smes of all officers " no were not in the
service at the close should be
tricken from it.
THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR.
There is no trace of bitterness in Gen.
rants comments on the shameful man.
er in which he was often robbed of the
onor of victory fairly won by his un-
easing energy. The narration of the
bsurd blunders Of Halleck and others
treated Of 80 mildly that the full
,rce of the criticism it was neces-
ary to make can not be felt at once.
is in fact the most damaging COM
lentary upon the management of our
Military affairs at the west that has been
most damaging not only
q account of the source from which it
omes, but from the precision with
hich its keen shafts are aimed. The
rst volume ends with the practical
up ofthe Vicksburg army, after
[aileck had refused to follow Grants
Twice by making an expedition against
Iobile, from which place operations
,uld have been effectually directed
,ainst Bragg.