The National tribune., 1889-05-02

under Gen. Wadsworth in person, gave extra
ordinary aid in staying the tide. jackson,
skGlking in the mountain pass, had left the
Valley, Staunton, Lynchburg and the railroad
communications with Richmond at our mercy
Gen. Lee was not yet desirous of Jacllson'S
| presence at Richmond, but he was still anx-
ious that he should strike crushing blow and
clear the Falley-unaware of the order to
Shields to fall back and Fremont's retrograde
and characteristic want of enterprise. Accord
ingly, trusting to McClellan's chronic inaction,
he determined to weaken himself to reinforce
Jackson, which he did to the extent of from
10000 to 10000 men. In writing to Jackson
on the 11th, he said "The practicability of re-
inforcing you has been the subject of earnest
consideration. 1t has been determined TO do
so at the expense of weakening this army.
Brighten. LawtOn, with six regiments from
Georgia, is on the way to you, and Brig. Gen.
Whiting, with eight veteran regiments, leaves
here to-day. The object is to enable you to
crush the forces opposed to yoG." The rein
forcements arrived, and Jackson, as usual
made no attempt " to crush the forces opposed
to him." but he now knew that Fremont and
Shields had retired far down the Valley, which
has enabled him to give color to a claim OF i'm
portant victories over both; and Gen. Lee be-
lieved that he had so shattered them that, as
Jackson was lying idle, Che did not even re-
spOnd TO Lees suggestion to crush, etc. he
could safely leave the Valley and be used to
greater advantage at Richmond. Accordingly,
Jackson was ordered to Richmond, and on the
18th he began his march. Fremont, at Mount
Jackson, and no enemy to trouble him, re-
manned inactive, when he had only to reach
out his hand,
| TAKE sTAUNToN, AND DO INFINITE MISCHIEF.
The President and Mcclellan had both be-
come aware that Lee had weakened his army
to help Jackson, it was believed, to the extent
of 10000 to $4,000, and the President wrote TO
Mcclellan on the 18th concerning it: " If this
is true, it is as good as reinforcement to you
of an equal force. | could better dispose of
things if conld know about what day you can
attach Richmond, aud would be glad to be in
formed, if you think you can inform me with
safety" Mcclellan replied with characteristic
but pitiable feebleness: " If 10000 or $4,000
men have left Richmond to reinforce Jackson,
it illustrates their strength and confidence.
After to morrow we shall fight the rebel army
as soon as Providence shall permit" More
over he had a few days before received Me-
Calls Division from Mcdowell, sent around by
water ~ the President which with other
troops just received amounted to about 1900,
and the army now numbered, according to the
returns signed by Mcclellan, (of which prob
ably about 10000 were available, if not more,
CHS, 1922 present for duty, equipped" with BIG
field pieces Of artillery of the most perfect
workmanship and pattern, not to speak of
uedSy aftlsiGTy anu siege guns WIN 1oIsiAGts-
tlons Of immense strength. Gen. Lee num-
bered, exclusive of Jackson, about $4,000;
was much weaker in artillery, and with
out Notifications of any Importance. If Lee
were confident, it is certain that it was not
on account of numerical superiority, but it
was rather referable to the imaginary superb
ority of his men and his belief i'll the weak
ness of his opponents character. Always
greatly superior in numbers to the enemy,
Mel IpflaD had hpnp nearly a command.
preparing and procrastinating. He had been
praised, coaxed rallied and spurred by the
President and the country to fight; had neg
lected at least three favorable opportunities
or closing the war since reaching the PENN
sula, but had thus far not mustered up sufficient
courage to attack the enemy or deliver battle.
His invariable order was, avoid bringing on a
general engagement" He would not even use
all his force when attacked by the entire force
of the enemy, though inferior, or follow up a
repulse. Indeed, in spite of his promise to the
President, he had no decided intention of
taking the aggressive now. He still asked for
more men. Moreover, his fearful mind was
then more occupied in the direction of pre-
cautionary measures for his own safety than in
endangering the safety of Lee and Richmond.
At that time he was actually contemplating the
possibility of retreat, and was preparing maps
of the country to the James, men then being
out surveying the line in view of such an
event, and fleet of gunboats and vessels with
supplies were being congregated there. But so
long as jackson was supposed to be only threat
ening Washington and not himself, his mind
seems to have been comparatively easy. The
idea of attacking Lee, weakened TO reinforce
Jackson, unitedly and vigorously before jack
son could arrive, dread of which haunted
him, seems not seriously to have occupied his
mind. He was rather making up his mind to
run if Jackson did come. He always feared
the worst and that in his imagination was
Jackson. Still the Washington authorities had
no business to fear him, he claimed, although
all the advices went to show that he was being
reinforced and preparing to advance again
North, which for the time, as we have seen,
was the fact.
To fully appreciate the injurious effect of
McClelan's feeble character on the success
of the war (which is said in war to be worse
than a crime) and the enormity of his blunder
ia fearing attack from Jackson, and which
removes the last prop to his reputation. Jack
sons campaign in the Valley had been, as the
reader may already in a measure have inferred,
short of actual surrender one of the most dis
astrous in the annals of war. Earlys cam
paign with Sheridan was almost q success in
comparison. 1t is clear from the indisputable
evidence we now have, that out of Jackson's
original army of $4,000 men he could take to
Lees assistance force of but barely 5000
ineffective and demoralized, shattered and
depleted by death. wounds prisoners, deserters,
injudieiOus maTching, bad discipline, and
Struggling Moreover, his eccentric and inju-
dicious manQer of moving dissipated for the
time great part of the reinforccments Lee
had sent him. Out OF 5000 men in Gen. Law
tons Brigade only $500 could be called upon
by Gen. Lee when wanted-the remainder
struggled under Jackson.
ITO be continued1