Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-03-02
7 Il & s & Z v I G D.
\ TIMES REPORTER TALKS
WITH AN OLD SOLDIER.
OPINION OP GENERALS 0PTBE War
rIas Seen Long Service Tie Character
or Men Who FIJI Tie nnnks--Is a
True American and Proud OF the
va;ar Displayed by Roth Armies.

A TINES reporter had q very inter.
esting talk yesterday afternoon with
an ex-soldier of the United States
army, and some of bis remarks were
SO sensible that it may not be amiss to
give them to our readers.
You were a soldier in the late army
forsome yea 81 said the representa-
tive of the LINES, land would like
to know what you think of the per
sonnet of the United States armyr'
1.-THE army" said lie, "is made up OF
varied material, some of which is first.
class, but there are some elements in
the make up which might be largely
improved. One great trouble is the
harsh treatment Of enlisted men by
their superior officers. Many lienten-
ants assume the authority of generals
and treat their sub-ordinates accord
ingly.
Recent Investigations at headquar.
tiers have shown these upstarts in
their proper light and with President
Harrison and the secretary of war to
back them up, enlisted men will have
q better show before the country. The
great trouble in the United States
army is the character Of the men who
fill the ranks. There are some splendid
men in the United States army and
there are some who are anything but
splendid. Men Of every nationality
enlist in our army and in consequence
there are many assertions.
1T is not now like it was during the
war when the best material in the
country promised to fight for the stars
and stripes. Then it was matter Of
patriotism, now,it is dollars and cents.
The army is we'll drilled and very ef-
ficient, but the morale is not all that
could be desired.
You have seen long service in
the army" said the reporter, land 1
would like to know what you think OF
some OF the principal characters in the
late war. What is your opinion of
General Lee?"
HE was q grand and noble
character, and I believe that
Grant was all on the federal side that
Lee was on the confederate side.
Stonewall jackson was the greatest
military genius of the war, and Sheri
dan was to the federal side
what the Hero of the Valley
was to the side of the confederacy.
General Thomas was a great COM
mander and deserves and will receive
u prominent place in the history of
the country. at Chickalnauga his
courage and teEacity saved the Fed
eral army from defeat and disaster. A
review of the whole war will show
acts of heroism on both sides which
will reflect great credit on American
arms. Grant started out under the
most adverse circumstances and Sher
idan and Sherman were his most efli-
cient lieutenants. If Stonewall Jack
son had lived the, war might have
ended differently, but man proposes
and God disposes. After his death
Sheridan doomed up on the federal
side and swept the Valley of
Virginia like cyclone. For my
part am a true American,
and although l have been a soldier in
the federal army, am just as proud
of the achievements Of Lee and Jack
son as of the deeds of Grant and
Sheridan. The Southern troops were
equal to the best soldiers to be found
anywhere and the war proved that
the two people combined can over
come all who oppose them. The South
has dash, fire and impeturosity, and
the North steadiness and courage.
An army composed of-such material
will meet every possible military re
quisite, as the world would find, in a
war against the United States"