The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-28
In Respect 10 the Memory Of General
J. {. Johnston.
Or. S. A. GOODWIES FINE ADDRESS.
singing by the Choir. "A ouartettc, and the
CONGRATULATIONS Peo-
pie Present.

Lee and Pickett Camps accompanied by
che Sons Of Veterans. turned out in full force.
Governor Mckinney and Colonel W. E.
Tanner had seats in one Of the boxes, while
on the stage were seated those who were TO
take part in the services, and the committee
from Lee Camp in charge OF the meeting.
The whole audience. led 10y Captain Frank
Cunningham. sang Rock Of Ages. Rev
Dr. W. ". Landrum read a selection OF SCRIP
ture. and n quartetto, consisting OF Captain
Cunningham, Mr. Lehman, Mrs. Rowe anu
Mrs MagWder sang hymn.
Colonel Archer the president of Lee Camp.
Introduced Rev S. A. Goodwin. ID. D.. pa,tor
Of Grove-avenuc Baptist church. who dohv-
bred the Grafton for the OCCASION.
We have assembled tins evening slld hr.
Goodwin in the beginning, o. give utierance
10 the profound respect and ardent atmlra-
ton which We have for the memory OF Cen
era Joseph EgglcstOn Johnston.
His unsehsh patriotism and military Prov
ess have enshrincd hissauame forever III tho
hearts of the Southern people.
He struck the first stunning blow IN their
defense and gave the last in the hour OF their
What enemy of the South Ia, not felt tho
effects of his valor. and which Of her sister
States have not been the theatre of his eiorvy
What art of war has me not illustrated. and
idOrned'
General Johnston was both by n ture and
education soldier.
While but boy perusal Of the deeds Of
the great military heroes OF the past Kudled
in his soul as did the trophy Of Miluades IN
the bosom of Themistocles, passion for
glory. ,,,..
Academy from which he graduated with dis
tincton in the twentv-second year of ms age.
lie here laid the foundation of that military
science 10 which he afterwards ddcd the
most comprehensive knowledge ana me most
consunmate skill.
His knowledge of military science was per-
haps. the most accurate and comprehensive OF
any man Of this age.
This gave him that sweep Of observation,
that mnuteness of detail aud that insight INTO
the plan Of his opponent that SO pre-cmncntly
distinguished him as "a strategist and soldier.
Time, space and numbers were all present
10 him
The forming Of every company, however
distant, was mentally visible to his eye
And the movement Of every squadron,
however remote, was audible TO his ear.
This aspect of his genius shOne with re-
splendent brightness IN his fighting march
from Dalton to Atlanta.
In this campaign he was confronted 10y an
army of veteran soldiers. three times that Of
his own in number and commanded by one
q
But his consummate knowledge of military
science enabled him to penetrate every design
of Sherman. 20 Illustrate all of his plans 10
repel all If his assaults. to lnflict upon him
loss exceeding the whole number of troops IN
his own army. 10 sustain for sevcuty-fOur
days an almost incessant battle. and 10 con-
duct, without the loss of single gun cor
wagon, a retreat of over one hundlcd miles,
every one of which diminished tho strength
of his adversary and added TO his own.
The brliancy of this campaign viii further
appear by comparison with that of the last If
General Robert l.. Lees, which is justly con-
sidered one of the most sk1liully conducted
in the annals Of wars.
when Lee reached Petersburg Grant gained
a better base Of operation and "a shorter line
of communication than he had ever before
possessed. but when Johnston reached At
lanta he Was nearer his own base of supplies,
while Sherman in the language of n brilliant
military critic. was dragging "a lengthening
chain Of weak and attenuated communica-
ton
sherman, too, was greatly the superior Of
Grant. sherman was a willy adversary, whose
welllaid plans were difficult 10 forecast and
hard TO defeat.
Grant, conscious of his overwhelming num-
bers and resources and reckless OF the lives
of ms followers hurled them upon the
daily diminishing rauAs OF Lee with the slu-
Gle object of destroying him by the mere
force Of attriton.
With this one object in view his plans were
not difficult to i0resco nor bard 10 deicat.
sherman. like skilled pugilst ovaded every
blow of his adversary that was possible and
effected by mauuuvre what he could not
accomplish 10y force.
His greatly superior numbers enabled him
to flank Johnston with comparative ease aud
safety whenever he offered him battle.
The troops of sherman. too. We're greatly
superior to those of Grant.
" I...t i ....s.
brave and patriotic men who followed Grant.
but, at the same time. II cannot bc denied that
many of his soldiers We're aliens and MERGE
parles and influenced alone 10y the love of ad-
venture or the hopc of gain.
Most Of Shernans We're native Americans.
reared on the frontiers, skilled in the use of
arms, accustomed 90 danger, Injured 10 hard
hips, aud fighting alone for the preservation
OF the Union
Many of them were from Tennessee. Ken
lucky and Missouri, the very States from
whence came some of the boldest and the
brayost ofthe Confederate heroes.
The difference between the two armies was
almost as great as that between the hired Hes
siaus OF England aud the patriot soldiers of
Washington
The skill and the strategy with which John
ston conducted tins campaign IN the face Of
such formidable opposition has placed his
name by the side of that Of iurennc on the
roll of ~ worlds great generals
Proceeding Or. Goodwin spoke Of General
Johnston's great decision of character.
lie formed ms plans after mature reflection
and upon accurate knowledge, and seldom
changed them.
Neither the smile of friends nor the scorn Of
foes could turn him from what he believed to
be right.
This decision of character, the speaker said.
more than once subjected the General 20 the
mistrust of the Government and the severe
criticism of ms friends, as was the case in his
retreat from Dalton 10 Atlanta.
Both the Government and the people clam
ored for battle
But Johnston knew better than either that
the army which be confronted. then three
times that of his OWN in number under ST.
gaclous and rcsolute leader and covered byen-
trenchmenis, was not 10 be beaten 10y greatly
interior numbers
The wisdom of Johnston's course was SUBJ
se9uently clearly developed and fully justified.
The Doctor then referred to the uuriyalled
coolness and courage Of Johnston lie an
pcaied absolutely luscns bile 20 fear
Inns point Was dwtlt upon at some LENGTH.
and II WAS fully explained how this heroic
courage and sublime composuro enabled HIM
~ tae greatest confusion of battle o. readily
discover The slightest weakness OF his assaii-
ant ana 70 promptly repair any mistakes "
disorder Of his own forces.
continuing, Dr. Goodwin said: His accurate
hho comprehensive knowledge of men his
great decision OF character. his iuscnsibility
10 oauger and his perfect composure amid
CONFUSION gave him taat influence over men
= winch Is the distinguishing trnit of the great
COMMANDER. and which stamped indelb.y !
upon nun liS greatness and glory