New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
4 SOLDIERS BOOK.
GENERAL DE TRoBRIAND's EXPERIENCE

DAUCHY. With Portraits and Maps. $40, PIP
757. Boston: Tlcknor & Co.
1t is certainly somewhat singular that General
de Trobrland's interesting and spirited narrative
should have had to wait more than twenty years
for translator. Perhaps it may have been
thought that the gallant French soldier was so
outspolen in his opinions and above all in his
censures that parts Of his work might give Of
fence But il is difficult to believe that any such
reason for leaving his volume untranslated could
have existed. for the pont of view occupied by
him is always at bottom that OF the loyal, clear
sighted and singe-mindcd soldier. who thinks first
last and all the time Of the main business IN hand,
namely, the suppression of the Rebellion, and re-
sents with frank Indignation all that binders the
progress of the Union armies. The light in which
he writing soon after the collapse of the Rebellion,
regarded the Coppcrheads and the Washington poll
tcians who perpetually interfering with the
conduct of military operations no doubt faithfully
represents the feeling which was common ut the
front The General grumbles plentifuly, and
speaks his mind without reservation about every
thing from the rotten shoes furnished by rascally
contractors to the incompetent new generals fOisted
on veteran troops occasionally, through political
influence.
lie heartily distrusted Mcclellan, moreover, and
follows that unfortunate commander from the
Potomac TO the ChicSahominy with impacable
criticism, marking down every symptom of in
trinity, scoring every il-advised movement. ex-
posing each protest against action, ridiculing the
perpetual demands for rcinforcements, in u really
savage, but nevertheless exceedingly pungent and
effective way De Trobriand himself came to
have his private grievance, when, having fought
his way steadily and earned his brigade. he found
himself denied promotion in order that some in
experienced man who had never smelled powder,
but who possessed :" pull at Washington, might
naunt in uniform. When opportunity serves to
tell damaging story about such people, the
General makes full use of il, and shows no mercy.
For the rest, he modestly confines himself TO de
scribing the events in which he took part; and in
the battles he gives several capital accounts of
exactly what he saw and did-really, all veter-
ans know. very small part of any extended
gagement. Some extracts from his lively memoir
will give the best idea of its style and Tone which
appear to have been well aud faithfully pre-
served by the translator, who must be compi-
mentcd on his fluent and easy rendering
The state Of discipline in the levies Of
1861 is clearly set forth in the following extract
On September 20 the command of the grand
guard OF the brigade dcvOlN ed upon the major Of
the Doth an officer Jealous in all the details of the
service, which he had learned III the ranks of the
National Guard at StfaSbOdrg The lieutenant Of
the IOuaves was sent during the night, TO make
the grand rounds, and he stated in his report the
next morning. that he had entered the camps Of
twelve regiments. without being stopped or even
challenged, walking around frey everywhere tn
his men, In The O2d New lOrk. he had found
sevcq sentnels asleep rolled up in their blankets
Finally, what seems hardly credible, he went into
the deserted tent OF the colonel OF the 10Th
Indiana whence he carried of the flag of the rcg-
ment, without any ones being present to oppose
1t. The nag was sent TO General Peck to be
returned 10 the regiment Which, perhaps had
not noticed its absence. / trust matters went on
differently on the other side of the Potomac. If
not m 81 hO lcI OQ1 az tlafp ioI
the security OF the capital depended less upon the
protection Of its defenders than upon the unsldl-
fulnesS of the assaIiants
The following little anecdotc shows that if
man has good cook in wartime he should be
careful not to invite any generals to dinner:
The programme embraced in addition a collation.
prepared III The dining hall. whose inner walls
were, for the occasion, hung with flags adorned
with garlands and all the military tokens that
the soldiers understand well how TO arrange
The President, the generals, the ladies and few
guests Of distinction took the places of honor
at the table, where il the pride of the reg-
ment TO serve nothing which had not been prepared
by its culinary artists.
The triumph of the latter was complete but
costly, in the sense that the cooks having given
too good proof Of talent, were very soon carried
oil by the generals, who bad them detailed to their
quarters l thus lost a halfdOzen fighting men,
whom the fires of the kitchen saved from the fire
OF the enemy.
Here is an allusion to Mcclellan in winter
quarters:
General Mcclellan resided in Washington in an
elegant house, where he held Lis court There
he received the homage which always bows before
power; there he welcomed the officers who flUckcd
around him To ask from favor what their merit
did not deserve. TO the remainder OF the army
he showed himself only during grand reviews.
Never did he visit our camps. Never, in my
knowledge, did lie seek to find out for himself
what the state of discipline, Of instruction
or the Condition of the troops which he was 10
no N Ina.
Official reports were sufficient for him.
Here is glimpse of Seward and Lincoln:
In spite of all, Mr.. Seward, with his plant
and energetic nature the clearness of his mind.
the surety OF his judgment, his long experience in
public affairs all moderated by the elect which the
exercise of public opinion always has upon the
ardor Of party chiefs, was successful against ali
dangers from abroad. and baiied the intrigues
labors and responsibilities, Mr.. Seward, on all oc
casons preserved his amiaDle manners and his
sparkling humor. There was in him moral
and spiritual vlgOr equal 10 every trial
In 1868, while the Army OF the Potomac
returning triumphant from its last campaign
awaited It's dlsbanding around Washington,
when my attention was drawn TO a pedestrian, VINO
crossed the road a few steps from me; broad
Panama hat covered head confined in surgi-
cal contrivance. two flexible stems of which, pass
ing around his face, supported his jaw, and ter
minated in his mouth. AS | walked more slowly,
to look at him, he turned toward me and
salutcd me with his hand l recognized Mr.
Seward.
Ii was the first time 7 had seen hirn since n
Southern assassin had pierced him with poniard
On that fatal night when President Lincoln fell
struck by another desperate Of the same cause
Such as ] had known Mr.. Seward before, such |
found him STILL under that sinister development
of his head, from which il was some time before
he was relieved His elastic vitality was proof
against both work and wounds.
1t was otherwise with the President who in the
dark hours Of his first year Of trial. sometimes
bent under the burden. In January, S62, | had
hp IN NVnsr
twenty guests were assembled. The conversation
varied by the observations Of m who had had
different careers, and who had PASSED through
different vcissitudes Mr. Lincoln took no part
in it, Neither the lively salles OF Mr. \. T. Willis
nor the melting remarks of Of the ladies could
distract him from his interior reflections
ln-lcn tho mnral and nhysicaI lalinue ycLich