Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-25

Yesterday was notable day in Alexandria's
calendar. marked by parades, brilliant decora-
tions. fireworks. fervid oratory, and the gather
ing of multitude to witness the unwilling OF
the monument in honor of the Alexandria
soldiers who fell in the confederate ranks dur
ing the civil war. 1t was also the occasion OF a
noteworthy contribution to the history of that
war from the confederate point of view by
Governor Lee, in so far as his speech touched
upon the causes of the union victory at Gettys-
burg. Hitherto it has generally been accepted
as fact that General Robert E. Lee was at fault
in his plan of battle, and writer's on the subject
have quoted what purported to be utterances of
his assuming all responsibility for the disaster.
His nephew however, practically disclaims in
his behalf any such admission. Longstreet,
Hill, and Ewell, says the governor, were the
corps commanders; to Longstreet was COM
mitted the assault, and Lees plan was to have
him use his whole corps, supported by half of
Hills; but the tactical formation for attack was
left, as was customary, to the corps commander
in charge. He continues:
''As the column of attack was organized,
there was no more chance of writing success
upon its brave banners than that the three
hundred Spartans could kill Persians by the
million, or six hundred horsemen ride over the
ramparts of Sebastopol. or the wings of the
French eagles of the old guard of Napoleon
could yictOriOusly flap over the whole army of
Wellington. 1t appears that there
were five brigades in the front line supported
by three brigades in the rear. . This
would make the attacking force at the start a
little over $4,000, but the distance was so far
and the ground clear, the artillery fire in
front and on both TANKS so terrible, that by
the time these devoted troops got within
musket range their numbers had greatly de-
creased. A tremendous cannonade preceded
this movement. which exhausted the ammuni-
ton of the confederates, a fact which Gen Lee
says he did not know when the assault took
place"
After a stirring description of the battle
which followed the pressing forward of this
small force in the face of a storm Of cannon
shot from the whole line of Cemetery Ridge
and its inevitable result, Gov. Lee exclaims:
What does Gen. Lee mean when he replies
to a trusted staff officer. who told him the as
sault was not made as he intended. by saying
i know 1t, know IT.. And what was he think
ing of when he told Prof. White, of Washington
and Lee university. Had had Stonewall Jack
son at Gettysburg would have won great
victory oh, no, military critics, the confed-
crate commander did not lose his head, or that
equipoise which so characterized him. His
plans were well conceiyed-the execution de-
fective."
This defense of Gen. Lee involves an attack
upon either the capacity o. the good faith of
Gen. Longstreet. Probably it will not be long
before we shall have the battle of Gettysburg
fought over, on paper, for the settlement of
two mems fame, as the second battle o: Manas-
sas was re-fought on the floors of Congress in
order to define the share which one man had
in causing its disastrous end.