Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-10

IcU0I3 uO SaihI anu oofSASioA
States could not be in rebellion. You might
as well say Germany rebelled against France,
or that France las she was beaten in the
contest) rebeiled against Germany"
He enid that once in the hurry OF writing
he had spoken of it as 'the civil wal" but
had never used that misnomer again.
He smoke of many of our generals and Of
the inside history of some of our great bat
ties and campaigns, telling some things of
great interest and historic value, which do
not feel at liberty to publish now.
After speaking in the most exalted terms
Of Lee and Jackson, their mutual confidence
in each other and their prompt co.opera-
ton, he said: "They supplemented each
other, and together, with any fair opportu-
nifty, they were absolutely iuVlncible." He
defended Jackson against the statement
made by some of his warmest admirers
(even DR.. Dabney in his biography that he
was not fully himself in failing TO force tho
passage of White Oak swamp TO go TO the
help of A. z. Hill at Frazier's farm. He
said that he thought that careful study of
the topography would show that Franklin's
position was the real obstacle to Jackson's
crossing.
He spoke warmly of The magnificent fight
which A. p. Hill afterwards, supported by
l-ongstreet, made that day-a battle which
he Witnessed-and told some interesting in
cidents concerning it.
Early in the day he met Gen. Leo near
The front, and at once accosted him with
"Why, General, what are you doing here ?
You are in too dangerous a position for the
commander Of the army"
II am trying" was the reply, "to find out
something about the movements and plans
of those people. But you must excuse, me
Mr.. President, for asking what you are doing
bere, and for suggesting that this is no prop
er place for the commander in. chief of all
our armies"
"Oh, am mere on the same mission that
you are" replied the President, and they
were beginning to consult about the stua-
ton when gallant little A. p. HiIl' dashed
I'D and exclaimed, This is no place for
either of you, and rs commander Of this
part of the field order you both to the
rear"
1--WE will obey your ORDERS" was the re-
ply; and they fell back short distance, but
the fire grew hotter, and presently A. P.
Hill galloped up to them again and exclaim-
ed, ibid not tell you to go away from
here2 And did you not promise to obey
my orders? Why, one shell from that bat
terry over yonder may presently deprive tho
Confederacy of its President and the Army
of Northern Virginia of its commander"
| And with other earnest words he finally
persuaded the President and Gen. Lee to
move back TO more secure place.
| Mr.. Davis spoke in the warmest terms OF
praise of A. p. Hill. "He was" he said,
"brave and skilful, and always ready to
| obey orders and do his full duty" Remind
ing him that Gen. Hill was killed at Peters
burg, with sick furlough in his pocket"
having arisen from sick bed and hurried
to the front when he heard that the enemy
was moving, he said Eyes truer, more
devoted, self.sacriGcing soldier never lived
or died in the cause of right"
| Speaking in general of the Seven Days
battles around Richmond, he said that We
accomplished grand results, and that the
failure to annihilate McClellan's army was
due chiefly to the fact that when Gen. Lee
took command there were at headquarters
no maps of the country below Richmond,
and it was then too late to procure them,
and that our army moved all the time III
ignorance of the country, and with guides
who, for the most part, proved themselves
utterly inefficient
He said that Gen. Loe's object in the re-
treat from Petersburg was to reach Dan
Vile, and then to unite with Johnston and
crush Sherman before Grant could come up.
After General Johnston's surrender hi1
object was to reach the trans Mississippi
Department and see il he could rally the
| forces there. And this he believes he could
have ccomplished-as he knew every
swamp along his proposed route-bnt he
was turned aside from his proposed route
by information that band OF robbers were
about to attack his family, who were travel
ing on different line.
| He gave deeply interesting details OF the
| foreign relation OF the Confederacy, and OF
how near we wero several times to recogni
ton by England aud France. He spoke in
the highest terms ofpraise OF Captain Bull
| locks Secret Service of the Conlederacy in
Europe"-a book which we think should
be in every ibrary--and said that the Con-
| federacy had nothing to fear from the pub.
lication of all Of its official correspondence.
| He spoke in strong teimi Of the double
dealings Of Louis Napoleon, who, after in
vitug Mr.. Slidell the Confederate com.
missioner, to have Confederate vessels built
at Chelbourg, and assuring him that there
would be no obstacle 10 their going out
afterwards, went square back on his word,
| because of certain representations Of Mr..
| Dayton, the United States Minister and re-.
fused 10 allow them to 20 out. When be
was in France, after the war, the Emperor
SENT him word that Elf he desired an inter-
view with him he would be glad to grant
it," But" said the grand old chief of the
Confederacy, 81 wanted no interview with
the man who had played us false, and so
| promptly replied that did not desire it,"
He spoke of General Lees high opinion OF
the ability of General Early as soldier
and of his own emphatic endorsation CT
that opinion and said many other thugs OF
deep interest which l may not write now.
He and his family were evidently deeply
touched by the grand ovation accorded
him at ontgomery, Atlanta, Savannah,
&c., last spring, and I assured him that if
he would accept the invitation which bore
him from Governor Lee to be present at
the laying of the corner. stone OF the Lee
monument next October we would give
him in the last capital of the Confederacy
welcome equally as warm-an ovation full.
ly as imposing. He could not promise so
L Il L,