The Irish standard., 1891-08-29

influence. without the wiles and in
trigues that too frequently command
promotion, without political endorse
ment; yet this son of old Erin, at th'
very early age of tbirty five, became
ma jor- gen eral of the best equipped. th'
best disciplined. and the best fighting
divisions Of the Army of the West. "Tt
nv noble division, and not to myself
belong the praises for the deeds of gal
lantry you MENTION" wrote Cleburne
with great humility to lady friend, in
ans wer to her letter of congratulation
on his expert leadership.
1t is not the purpose of the writer tt
follow C]eburne from Corinth through
Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, in al
the battles in which be was engaged
nor to tell the story Of marches, coun
er-marches. his victories, his one de
feat Or to detail Bis posi- ion 10 each
battle, how and wheD engaged; to show
that his commanding officers, With uE
errlng wisdom, selected him co lead tfe
vanguard in advance, the rear guar6
in retreat. Suffice it to So " he blaZed q
path to glory and immortal renown, by
a generalship that gained for him the
imperishable name Of the "Stonewal
Jackson Of the Army OF TENNESSEE
At one time, he received vote OF
thanks for gallant and meriIorious
SERVICE" from the Confederate Con-
gress. at another he was promoted di
vision commander, bv the President OF
the Confederacy in rers0n, thus demon
stratlng what has been so we'll said OF
bim by another: ''History will take up
his tame and hand it down to time, for
example. wherever courage without a
stain, manhood without biemish, an
integrity that knew u0 compromise,
and patriotism that withheld no sac
rifice, are honored of mankind" Pat
rick r. Cleburne in appearance was tall
and angular, with bair originally black,
prematurely becoming gray. with eyes
a clear steel gray in color, usually cold
In expression, save when twinKling
with Irish humor, or Gerce1y blazing in
moments of intense excitement. His
manners were rather distant and re-
served to strangers, but winning to
friends. He had heart easily touched
by sorrow and easily aroused to sVmpa~
thy. On one occasion, captured Fed
eral officer, at Atlanta, was deprived
by a soldier of bis hat and
blanket. Seeing his needy condition,
Cleburne gave him bis hat and his only
remaining pair OF blankets. Cleburne
had the fine old Irish brogue, as those
who knew him well remember ia his
command to "Forward, NJ arc h." He
was we'll educated, of fine literary at
tainments, proud and sensitive, and,
above all, a very Christian gentleman.
He was noted for his accurate iudg
ment of men and his keen appreciation
Of their character and worth. He was
a 7erv strict disciplinaliap, was trusted
for bis value, his worth. his high pat
riotlsm, and loved because the hum
blest OF bis followers knew we'll that
bis very heart beat was wish for the
good Of his noble division, and for the
glory OF his Southern home. His pres
ence on the line could always be told
by the Confederate cheer which came
down the column. In camp he drilled
in tactics, and gave lessons in military
discipline to bis brigade commanders
General Hardee, his intimate friend,
writes: "Pat Cleburne heard the leci
tations of his brigade commanders, a
quartet of lieutenaDts worthy of their
great captain. The stately Granbely,
as great of heart as of fame, noble
type OF the Texan soldier; Gorap, true
and braYe as he was gentle and cour-
teous; Polk, young, handsome, dash
ing and fearless; Lowry, the parson
soldier, who preached to his men in
camp and fought with them on the
aeld.' Cleburne taught this class and
them the men, for he recog-
nized and appreciated the value and ef-
of discipline. His division
was composed of troops from Arkan.
sae, Tennessee. Texas, Alabama, and
Mississippi, and one regiment of Irish
mep, VINO illustrated on every field the
soldierly qualities Of the sons of Old
Erin. This division bv request was al
lowed the high privilege Of fighting un.
1er its own especial banner, and where
3ver that was seen in the smoke of bat
lie, friend and foe alike knew that the
very air pulsated with death, for where
Cleburne was no masses Of the enemy
,ould break his lines; where that flag
vas seen. it carried with it the shout Of
,icto1y. No matter how impetuons
he attack, or fearful the odds, this di-
,ision, led by its intrepid general. never
alleu to carry the opposing lines, save
,nly once, and at that point Pat Gle
,urne lay dead.
General Cleburne organized in his di-
1ision an order formed after the style
# the order OF :. Cincinnati" known as
ha ttf!0mraf1ps Of the Southern Cross, :"