The National tribune., 1892-07-07

the deed. Hence, in the following remarks
do not wish to be understood as praising al
act of rebellion.
We are fully persuaded that Gen. Jackson
was conscientious, as his demeanor in life ex
hibits that trait as being particularly promi
nent; but we desire to speak only of his mill
tary character. Some have tried to make il
appear that he had no genius as military man
but l can never agree with such theory. II
is true. he did often put his command into very
dangerous situations, and it is clear, too, tina
he did it knowingly; but this of itself bears nj
discredit to him, since he never had an army
demoralized or captured while he commanded
it. The question for merit, in military sense
is, Did he do part or all of what be undertook
to do? If he did, the results bear the mark o
genius on their very face, and they need bu
little argumentative proof.
And now / shall not ask for space to speak IL
detail as to his exploits as chieftain, but refer
casually to some of them:
1. His action at the first Bull Run battle in
slipping away from Patterson and appearing on
the battlefield at an opportune moment, saving
the day for the Confederate army, certainly had
the brand of genius" upon it.
9. His strategy with John w. Garrett, Presi.
dent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Com.
pany, and his removal of railroad supplies to
Staunton, Va, as q war measure, shows genius
8. The Valley campaign has been particu-
larized by your editorial in your issue of Nov
10, 1891 so much so as to warrant our speak
ing of some of its details. When he conceived
this stupendous undertaking, Gen. Lee was
confronted by Mcclellan; and his left flank
was threatened by Gen. Irwin McDowelPs
army at Fredericksburg, and its rear threatened
by a combined movement of Banks, Shields,
Milroy, and Schenck upon Staunton and Lynch
burg. The Federal plan of campaign was in
deed brilliant, and the array of forces with
their several combinations made it look awful
black for the Confederacy. But let Us now see
who spoiled this brilliant campaign, and
brought it to desolation and humble defeat.
No man can deny that Gen. Jackson was the
one moving spirit. He cleared the Shenan-
doah and Page Valleys of armed forces; drove
Schenck aud Milroy out of the Bull Pasture
Valley; tore up the Baltimore Sc Ohio Rail-
road at Martinsburg, Va: threatened WASH
ington, d. c., causing MGDowell's army to be
recalled from its intended flank movement
upon Lee. After all this, he outmanuyered
the entire posse" of Federal Generals, fought
drawn battle at Cross Keys with Gen. FIRE.
mont, and then won decisive victory over
the Federal forces at Port Republic, and then,
by q "delusion," made his enemy believe he
was still at the junction of the aforesaid val
leys; he made his way by forced marches to
McClellan's flank, and the sequel is known
our forces are driven away from before Rich
come to naught.
But this gigantic campaign is not yet over.
He then turns and defeats Pope's army at
Slaughter Mountain, Va, slips to Pope's rear
through Thoroughfare Gap. and secures the
vantage ground that finally caused the defeat
of the Federal army at the second Bull Run
fight besides destroying nearly $1,0O0,000
worth of stores. He then wheels about, after
this battle, and manuvers for the capture of
Harper's Ferry, which finally capitulates, and
over II, 900 troops, with the entire equipment
surrenders to him; and yet he is on the battle
field at Antietam in time to save Lee from be-
ing crushed. This campaign alone forces every
fair military critic to confess that he was no
ordinary chieftain.
But the part he played in the battles of Fred
ericksburg and Charlottesville does not lower
him one particle as military genius. The
honest fact is this, he was indeed rare
genius. Take out the gallant Phil Sheridan,
and there was not one single General in the
armies, North or South, who could so success
fully handle an army in flank movement.
If we are mistaken in our statement the war
records do not show i'll. E. WILLIAMS
Montezuma, Ind.