The National tribune., 1889-03-21

ssh0ula come to the Rapidan.' The Gen
eral docs not state why he desires you TO
20 10 the Rapidan, but it may be for the
purpose of Geceiying the enemy with regard
10 ultimate destination, TO be more distant
from the enemy during the movement, and
also TO be IN q more eligible position Tor rein
forcing some other points, should it be neces-
sarv Nv own opinion is that Banks will not
follow me up the Blue Ridge; bat should he do
SO, you viii have time to join me before he
reaches the top Of the mountain, as he VIII be
retarded i'm his march. / wish he would pur-
sue, and let rs, with our united forces, meet
him al the mountain. is would not be safe for
me to join you on the SpcrryYille road, as an
advance Of Banks would place him in my rear.
My desire is rs far as practicable, to hold the
Valley, and if / fall back from New Market TO-
ward Madison Courthouse, I hope Banks VIII
be deferred from advancing much further TO-
ward Staunt0n by the apprehension OF my re-
turning TO New Market and thus getting IN his
rear"
In short, then. Jackson's plan, If Banks ad-
ranced, was TO retard, obstruct, hold the Val
ley, as far IS practicable; and il forced back,
TO leave the Valley at New Market move cast
crlv, cross tie Shenandoah aud join Ewcll in
the Blue Ridge &C Fishers GAP, in hopes that
Banks would follow, when the two united
Toaid turn and overpower him.
GEN. JAMES SHIELDS
The 10Th Of April, at Edenburg, was balmy,
sunny aud beautiful. Toward noon, rs l was
sitting smoking, in the portico Of the Provost
haTsllal's Office, Gen. Shields rode mp his arm
in a sling, accompanied by his Orderly and
valet, muiatto boy. DR.. Bellcw met him and
extended the hospitalifies Of his house, when
he dismouHted and entered. After being
shaved and the stains OF travel removed. he
asked me 10 dress his wound His career
had been extraordinary and eventlul, and he
talked very agreeably and unreseryedly of
the past and present; of Mexico, and the
war going on, and one could not help think
ing, IS you listened that he was a man
OF much more than ordinary force Of Char
aeter. Although he had not received
regular military education, he had doubtless
studied war. and had served gallantly with the
rank OF Brigadier-General in the war with
Mexico and had been twice wounded there.
his proposed duel with Mr.. Lincoln with broad
swords is well known, and they were now on
the most cordial terms. and both appreciated
each others great qualities, though SO diverse.
he had represented two States in the United
States Senate, and subsequently, represented
third in the same body. Lines were in his face
and forehead which seemed to indicate that al
had not been smooth sailing with him, but
throughout the various vicissitudes OF his life
his spirit had remained unbroken. He was
then, perhaps, 45 years Of age; stood say, I've
feet eight inches tall, with strong, broad shonl-
IRE rs SHcTld2Hs IT the close OF the war,
though talsr.-znd he was tic Sheridan of
MS tiaie; irOa gray hair clean-shayed, with
the exception Of heavy military mustache
the same color as his hair; q strongIy-daiined
forehead prominent and lustr0us gray eyes, not
TOO large; heavy broWs and eyebrows, a strong
mouth AID lower jaw that seemed TO show
strength enough in the man TO drive 10000
men from E3enbarg TO and through the gates
OF Richmond. And, such was the confidence he
impaired we all believed he could doit. He was
probably the ablest General then in the East;
AID this On no less authority than Dir. Lincoln
himself dis habits were temperate, and for
the several years preceding he lad entirely ab-
stained from alcoholic stimuiants, though he
said that at one time he thought lie could not
dine without wine or take meal without an
Introductory appetizer He spoke, among
others, Of BeaaFegard and .Jackson,-both of
whom, if ] remember rightly, he said had been
On his stad ia Mexico,-and said they were
gallant yoGag fellows but he also said,
l.li sho~ those young scalnps what it is TO
make war o. their old General"
Ii is possible lie may have had a nild in
clilation 10 boasting, but in extenuation il
may be said that he was always more than
willing to make his boasts good. AS has been
said Of oae OF the most ilIustrions of our
British heroes, Lord Nelson, his mature
was 70 make his enemies run away, but his
---I"~9 ~ A~N NSls nNsA 10 nm. lE WAS DAG
o. tie siGnaleSt-1niaded men, and whatever he
said ks meant aud did. Yet Of the tricks and
frauds Of the enemy he had quick perception
whenever tAey were tried against him, as we'll
As a marvellous power OF Seeing the shortest
way 10 everything. He enjoyed a little gentle
piece OF vanity, not Taing.ory, and never could
see ang justice in losing the credit Of any of
his exploits / may say he seemed TO think,
as matter Of course that he should have no
lear CT the eaeinv, and that IL was only nat
ural the enemy should fear him; this was
usually the reverse with our most prominent
Generals then. They seemed 10 think they
had every reason TO fear the enemy, but that
ne had litile or no reason TO fear them Mithal
Shields was loyal sab0rd mate, aud sent no
back-stair reports to Washington. as some 9TH
eEs did. seeking 10 throw liscredit upon others,
and subsequently, became victim to the exi-
geneles of the times aud the disgusting in
trlgues and ieaiOHsies. so rife then, OF much
more preteatioHs Generals, bit Of more feeble
m!nds and hearts.