Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-30
blockaded without these same manufsstu-

south or Richmond foundr1e3 and renl'ii-
mills capable in O years work OF suppys
ing the Confederate armies ard raiwTs
Tor three mouths. In the first part OF W
war the nucleus of such establishments
could not be found elsewhere In the SCUM.
Ia the latter part beginnings had peea
made, but the new production OF canh'n
and railway material never became aogrs
quate to the demands OF campaign. "a
the requisite machinery could have oeen
improyised the product could not hato
been hastily increased because OF the 3D.
solute lack OF skilled workmen. The loss
OF the skilled artisans of Richmond wouiu
have been az fatal IN our poverty as the
loss of it's mills and workshops. =,
Tbs defence of Richmond, then. was the
superhuman task 10 which Lee now found
himself committed by the policy OF the
Confederate Government and by the pres
sure Of conditions independent OF MS
VIII or control.
How precious for rs Virginisns IL this
intimate association of his immortal laoors
with this CITY of our affections-t0r more
than O century the centre Of our state life,
for four years of heroic struggle the invlo-
late citadel Of people in armsl The IN,
mili3r objects about Us are memorials OF
him: the streets which his feet have trod-
den, the church where he worshipped, the
modest dwelling which sheltered those
nearest his heart, the heights overlooking
river and land which make up the military,
topography he had so deeply studied, ana
the graves of that silent army by .whicn
our city il still begirt. You can hardly
prolong your evening walk without coming
upon fields. once liko any others, but now
touched with that mysterious meaning
which speaks from every spot where fo1
home and kindred men have fought and
died.
Thus. ct the critical moment when q
trifing advance of McClellen's forces wouiu
have Begun q siege of Richmond, Lee took
command Of the army marshalled Tor us
defence. His first step was TO overdue
opinions tending to a retirement OF our
line. His next was 10 fortify that line and
10 summon to his aid for a great aggressive
effort all the forces that could be spared IN
Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinss. In
his comprehensive plan for the great day
OF hettle row at hand Yves embraced that
small but heroic band with which Jackson
had just defeated three armies. hlled the
Federal capital with alarm, and diverted
from Mcclellan McDowelPs powerful re-
enforcement.
The secrecy in which Lee knew how to
.wrap this movement was itself presage
OF generalship. He not only concealed
Jackson's rapid march 80 that Shields and
Mcdowell should not follow on hi3 heels, but
by au actual movement 10y rail OF hiting's
division TO Charlottesville be made
Mcclellan believe that he was sondIng
strong detachment 10 the Valley. Ihen
with an army still inferior to its adyer-
sary by Mt least ono fourth he burst upon
McClellan's RIGHT wing. By Lees wise
and bold combinations the weaker army
showed at the point of attack double the
strength OF the stronger. The Federal
General saw his communications snatched
from his control, his right wing after an
Obstinate and bloody conflict broken and
mt to fi1Lt. his whole army turning It's
back upon the goal Of the campaign and
Sighting now. as men fight on issues OF
lifs and de2th-not for RichmOnd--but for
safety and a refuge place under the guns
Of tho feet.
need not recall the valor, the sacrifices,
the chequered fortunes. or the visible tFo-
phes of those seven days OF heroic strug;
Gle. Whatever criticism NAV be passed
upon the details of the several actions the
broad fact remains that, as their direct re-
suit, that moral ascendancy, which Is the
real genius of victory. fOrsOOk the Federal
and passed over to the Confederate camp:
And Loo rose up IN the minds OF friend
aud foe to the full stature of great and
daring leader.
An act of vigor quickly showed how cor
rectly lie estimated the staggering eject OF
the mighty blow he had dealt. lie hurried
Jackson TO Gordonsville 10 meet Pope's
threatening force, and soon he dispatched
A.P. HIPS division on the same service.
Jackson's fierce attack on Banks ut Cedar
Mountain at once caused new alarm for
Washington. A rapid weakening OF Nc
Clellan's force was the result. Reading
this with that intuitive perception OF what
is passing behind the enemy's lines. which
honcetorth marks him az fit to command,
Lee recognizes that the initiative is now IN
his hands, and presently moves with nearly
his whole army to the line OF the Aapi-
dan. His design is by celebrity and vigor
TO ccunterbalance the enormous pre-
ponderance of his enemies. te means
TO fall upon Pope before McCleDan's
army can ioin him. You know the
splendid boldness OF Jackson's immortal
march to POpe's rear. which Lee approved
and ordered. You know how, after prodl-
rics Of rapid movement, obstinate fight
ing. and intrepid guidance the Army OF
Northern Virginia stood once more united
on the plains OF Manassas, and there satted
and crushed an adversary its superior by
one half in numbers. Again the Federal
army turned its back upon the goal OF tho
campaign, again the Federal army bent its
march-nOt to lts commanders but 70
Lees imperious will. The invasion of
Maryland, the capture OF Harper's Forty
attested it, and Lees victorious sweep was
only checked by. one of those unIucky nc
cIdents inseparable from war. HIS order
for the com bined movements OF his troops
fell into McCiellan's hands when the ink
upon II was scarcely dry.
This prccipitsted the great battle OF
On that sanguinary field 10000 Confede-
rates finally repulsed every attack OF an
army of $1,000 Federal soldiers. On the
day following the battle they grIrnly stood
in thor loRg thin lines inviting the assault
which as history will record, was not de-
livered.
If ever commander was tired by over
whelming and continuous peril and rose
SUPERIOR to II and triumphed by sheer moral
DOwer over force and fortune Lee on those
two fateful days gave that supreme proof
OF greatness of soul a. much above de-
preston under reyerses as citation IN sue
cess.
Insuch moments the army feel the lofty
gehius Of their leader. They acknowledge
his royal right to command. They recog-
nizs their proud privilege to follow and
obey. 10 such leaders only is it given to
form heroic soldiers. such were the
ragged. half-staryed men IN gray. who
stood with Lee at 5harpsburg. Ii is the
vision Of some such moment. perhaps, that
our sculptor, AIercie, has caught with the
eve of genius and fixed in imperishable
bronze. The General hes ridden up, it
seems to me. in SEINE pause OF battle, TO
tho swelling crest OF the front lne, and,
while tho ewes of his soldiers are fastened
on him in keen expectancy, but unwaver-
ing trust, Tie great leader-silent and alone
with his dread responsibilities scanning
with calm and penetrating glance the
shifting phases and chances Of the stricken
field.
Such is the commanding figure. which
will presently be unveiled to your view,
and dull indeed, must be the mag nation,
that does not henceforth people this plain
with invisible hosts and compass Lee
about-now and forever-with the lovo
and devotion OF embattled ranks Of heroic
men in gray.
But the campaign OF 1852 was vet to close
in dramatic scene Of unequalled gran
deur.
Az in some colossal amphitheatre. Lees
soldiers stood ranked on tho bold hills en-
circling Fredericksburg TO witness the de-
ploymont on the plain beneath, with gilt
tering bayonets aud banners and every
martial pomp, of Burnsido's splendid army.
A gorgeous spectacle was spread out under
their feet. II was hard to realize that such
q pageant was the prelude to bloody bat
tie.