The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-07-05
Noted Battles-Forces Engaged.


An "Old Veteran" of Alexandra,
Va, writing of the disparity of forces in
the noted battles of the Confederate war,
says:
It is very interesting study, and one
that gives US "Old Confeds" great salts
faction, to consider carefully the aggre-
gate forces of Confederate and Federal
armies engaged in some of the most
noted battles of the "late unpleasant.
ness."
Take for example the seven days bat
ties around Richmond, in 1862, when
General Lee gained such gallant victo-
ries over General Mcclellan.
Since that memorable period numer.
GUS discussions have taken place as to
the numbers engaged and many Of the
general officers, on both sides, differ
widely in their estimates.
On the 26th day of June, 1862, the Ar.
my of the Potomac, commanded by Cen.
eral George B. Mcclellan. had an aggre-
gate force of 10000 men present, fit for
duty. (see "McJlellau's Reports and
Csmpsigus.")
On the same date from official returns
of most of Lees army, and 9 fair .esti-
mate of few small commands, there
we're present for duty, thirty.nine
brigades of infantry, each with its com
plement Of artillery, divided ss follows !:
Longstreet, 9,o51; D. b. Hill. 10000 ;
McGruder, 10000; Holmes, 6,573; Hu;
ger, $3.50; A. P. Hill, $4,000; Whiting,
1900; Lawtou, $3.50; Jackson and Ew.:
eli, the Army of the Valley, 5000; !;
Stewart had about $500 cavalry, and
Pendleton had four battalions Of artillery
in reserve, estimated at high figure,
about 1 500 men.
Add all these and we have fraction
over $4,000 men, the aggregate strength
of the Army of Northern Virginia.
think 1 am safe in saying that at no
other period during the war had General
Lee larger force under his command,
present for duty.
Take into consideration the fact that
Lee was the sggressor, and had at the
onset not only superior force to cope
with, but a we'll entrenched line Of
works, guarded by felled trees in front,
to DIVE his enemy from, and one can
easily understand the kind Of fighting it
required to accomplish such grand re-
suits.
Another important point is brought
out upon reAection-that in the battle OF
Gaines's Mills the second days fight,
where it required the hardest hits aud
the greatest number Of charges by the
infantry, in most cases without support
from our artillery, We were contesting
the flower of the Army Of the Potomac /;
Porters division OF the u. 8. regulars,
who stood their ground nobly and fought
most desperately. A victory over such
men, though dearly won, was victory
worthy the steel of Southern chivalry.
The battles of the Wilderness, Spot
sylvania and Cold Harbor, 1864, were
other instances of fighting against great
odds.
General Grants available force in
these battles, beginning from the moving
| from the Rspidan, May srd, 1868, IS per
report of Secretary Stanton, was 14l loo
| officers and men.
Besides, Grant had a force of 1877 ,272
in the vicinity of Washington, the de-
partment of Virginia and North Oarolina
and department of West Virginia to
draw from ia case Of an emergency.
General Lees entire force, May 1st
1864, present for DUTY, was 52,626 officers
and men. What q contrast!
The Federals we're we'll clothed, well
fed and had every necessary equipment
for field and camp service. while the
Coufederates not only lacked sufficient
clothing, but had to live on stinted ra'
tions, and most Of these of an inferior
kind.
But with all the odds the "Johnnies'
we're the victors, and from the Rapidan
to the James river every battle was In
favor of the Southern arms. Remarka'
BILE, but true, and the time 10 coming
when the fullness of the marvels of those
days will be made to shine ont upon the
pages of history as bright in truth as the
golden lining of the Eastern sky.