The National tribune., 1890-06-05

been biameless. Whatever his opinion on this
subject may have been, il did not affect his
action that day. as il has, been seen that he ac-
compiisned satisfactorily the only purpose he
had in view.
GEN. sTUART's REPORTS
and orders on the occason, and Mai. McClel-
an's description Of the affair leads one to sup
pose that they thought Avorel's purpose to
have been to crush the entire rebellion and put
an end to the war. That is mistake he only
meant to defeat Fitz Lee if he could, and that
he did.
The running of cars on the railroad was
heard by many and Gen. Lee has said since
that 1t was done by his order to create the inn
preston that help was coming to his side. 1t is
moro than limited that he may have deemed
this quite rs necessary TO cheer his own mon
as to demoralze Avcrelps
MAJ. McCiellans experience as a staff officer
during war which engrOssed tho attention of
the civilized world for more than four years,
must have familinrized him with the unCor
lainty OF information obtained on a battlefield
In the vicinity of tho chiefs tho air is laden
with rumors. Every particle of information
gathered on any part Of the lines, or by patrols
or scouts IN the nighborhOod, is hurried to these
points. To quickly sft the grains of truth
from tho chaif of rumor and exaggeration is
the most difficult task for the Generals and
their advisors. TO do this without error al-
give the proper orders is not possible for even
the greatest.
Maj. Mcclellan therefore does himself Unjust
ice when on page 2l6 referring to Gen
AverelPs ~ropOrt, he rings all the changes in
startling italics on imaginary drums beating
retreat and tattoo. Imaginary earth
rorkS and TiRe-pits ,rhich could not be easily
turned. Imaginary infantry > >
seen at distance 10 my right floring tordrds mv
rear. Imaginary cars heard running on the road
N rear Of the enemy, probably bringing ap rein
forceneuts" etc.
Hostile criticisms on military operations in
the light OF subsequently obtained information,
or under the glare Of that which could not
possibly have been in tho possession of the
commander criticised, are not, as rule, dam
aging
IL Is rare in war that the commander of the
attacking forces knows all that would be inter
esting TO him about the defense, and vice versa.
Even at this lato day ! fail to perceive what
good purpose could have been gained by fur.
ther pursuit Lees horses were quite as fresh
as Averelis, md he could have kept out of the
way indefinitely.
lNoTE-Since writing the above, letter re.
coiyed from tho Secretary Of the 1st r. J.
Cavalry Veteran Association informs me Of the
death Of the gallant Browne who led his pla-
tooB Hcros5 the river in the face Of tho terrible
ire from tho Confederate rine.pts He was
wounded in the night attack on his regiment
ht Middlobnrg Va, 18th of June, that year, so
severely that no never fnlly recovered.
He bus been mustered in " TO tho army of
the great majority. where, according 10 the
beautiful conceit Of the old Northmeu, ms given
to Us by John Hay
chosen corps, thoy marching on;
In a wider Geld than ours
These bright hRttaons still fuIhll
u lac Hchciuc of the heavenly powers.
Aud high. brave ihouehts float down to us
In the echoes OF thaJ far nght
Like the fash OF a distant pckots guns
Through the shades Of the scverinR night.
No fear for them IN our lower field
Let u9 toll with arms uustnincd.
Jtat at itst we bc worthy TO stand with them
On the shining nights they've gained.
W shall meet aud greet in closing ranks
in Times declining aun.
Whom the buglcs of Gnd shall sound recall
And the battle Of Life be won"
r VIII