The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-06

In our Sundays article on General McClel-
Ian we ought TO have said that # he was not
much of @ soldier he was at least O gentle
man and made war like a civilized human
bong Wherever Mcclellan commanded the
people Of our country speak kindly of him.
and testify that he did All in bis power TO
mitigate the horrors of war to them The
same cannot be said Of many Federal COM
manders. Centuries will fail 70 erase from
the traditions of our people the cold-blooded
fendish atrocities of Hunter The butcher.
Sheridan, VIII be remembered by tho people
of the Valley so long as that fertile and lovely
region is populated by the present race.
Sheridan has denied that he gave tie TO-
NOUS order that the Valley should Boz devas-
tated until crow would have % carry It's
ratons over it, trying to put the responsibility
upon Grant. We down here know that
Sheridan was dishonest man, and it is use-
less for him 70 make this denial. 10 was IN
the mouth of every one at the time as his ut
terauce. The newspapers of the day oil speak
Of it as Sheridans order. Besides. butcher
that be was 1t was IN exact harmony with his
I'm the Franco-German war, as all the world
knows, Prince Bismarck went along with
King William at army headquarters lie car
ried with him a learned German professor
named Busch as a sort II political secretary.
Dr. Busch kept diary of everything inter
estlng aud important that came under bis
notice and he has published it under the
Ahe. D.
and most delightful volume it is.
Sheridan went over there 70 see something
of that war and was frequently at Prince Bis
marck's headquarters. ia the early part of Sep
TENDER there had been au action at a place
called Bazeilles, in which the German soldiers
had shown no quarter to the French citizens
who took part Ia the fray. Sheridan was at
Bismarcks headquarters when this incident
came up for discussion. We give Dr. Busch's
account of what took place:
In the evening We had great dinner, at
which the hereditary Grand Duke OF Mecken-
burg-Schweru his adiutant Netteblatt
stephan tho director OF tie postonce. and
tie three Americans were present. They
spoke of the different reports about the in-
cdeuts at Bazei.les The Minister sand that
it could not be tolerated that peasants should
join in fighting to defend places. They were
not IN uniform, and, therefore. when they
throw away their muskets uunoticed they
cannot be known as combatants. The chances
ought 10 be equal for both sides. Abeken
thought the fate Of Bazeilles too hard and
that the war ought to be- carried on more
humanely.
Sheridan. 10 whom MaoI can had explained
the case, took different view. lie thought
the severest treatment Of the population dur
ing war justified on political grounds The
main thing IN true strategy what be said
amounted TO- il this First deal as hard ll,u,s
at the enemys soldiers as possible and them
cause 50 much suffering to the inhabitants Of
the country that they will long for peace and
press their Government 10 make it. NOTHING
should be left TO the people but eyes =, la
ment the war On which the old German
comments Rather heartess. / tbougbt -
myself but perhaps worth consideration 30
bismarck in the Franco German War
lS7O'u. New York. Charles Scribper ~ Son
1854. p. 1907
We would Ike to know the difference be-
tween tie eye-lament doctriue and the "erov,
ration order; and it should DO ob,erved
that he SAID it IN September. 1870 when ba
had all Of his flush Of victory upon him and
long before public opinion had arraigned him
oei0fe It's tribunal for his heartless butchers
command