Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-14

stronrer7 1T may be asked" he says
speaking OF Cedar Greek. why, with my
small force, I made the attack! can
only say we had been fighting large odds
during the whole war. and l knew there
was no chance for lessening them.
Those who dispute this logic had bet
ter reassemble the Secession Convention
of 1851. and submit the question. early
was heard upon 1t before the war was re-
solved on. After that he took the conse-
uuences unmurmuringly. And well oin nc
vindicate Honest John Letcher's opinion
when he, as Governor. appointed him
colonel. Some secession members oo-
iected on account OF Early's stubborn
unionism. II know Early" replied
Letcher, "and II you gentlemen will DO
rs we'll In the coming struggle. your
State will have reason to rejoice TX
none but those who did as well threw
the first stone it would remain long un-
flung.
LEES FAITH IN EARLY.
General Early had the satisfaction OF
retaining the confidence and good opinion
OF his great commander, X. Z. Lee. AFTER
all reverses in the Valley Lee, on the
10th OF February, 1856, extended his COM
mand to embrace the department OF
West Virginia and East Tennessee, pre-
yiously commanded by General John c.
breckenridge who had now become the
Secretary OF War. This brave and ex-
cellent officers service under Early had
familiarized him with his merits; he had
testified to General Lee in high terms or
his capacity and energy, and or his eN-
cellent disposition of his troops, and 10
Early's critics Lee had responded IN
language. which / have already quoted.
Of Mi Buf
Early had now to accept the fate or
war. for public opinion unadvised OF
his difficulties and extremities, camored
for a new leader. Lee himself had seen
and felt its frequent injustice, and has
stated that public opinion Is more likely
to be erroneous on military AFFAIRS than
any other, because Of their secrecy pre-
venting complete knowledge.
1t clamored against him when he ala
not win victory in West Virginia; against
Jackson before the Valley Campaign
against Albert Sidney Johnston before
he fell at Shiloh: 1T demanded Joe John
ston's removal when he retreated before
Sherman, and as loudly demanded his re-
storation when Hood advanced and FAILED.
on the other hand, when Thomas was
| defeating Hood, at Nashville. the mes
sage was on its way TO supersede him for
shouts of his victory. while no yielded
| to the current Of opinion respecting Ear
Tvs operations General Lee. In addressing
| him the letter relieving him from duty
on March 30, 1865, declared therein hi:
| own confidence in his ability and yea
| and devotion to be unimpaired." and
| concluding with an expression OF thanks
| "for the fidelity and courage with whicf
| you have always supported my efforts
,.,l a trnf
| have always manifested In the service oil
| the country"
one week before that. on March "a
| 1865. Lee had made last EFFORT TO breaF
| Grants lines In vain, and the Second
| Corps, under Gordon. had stormed anc
| taken Fort Steadman. There happened
| then what would have happened haC
| Early taken Washington. and what dt
| happen at Cedar creek. our troops wer'
| brave enough to take; they were no
| strong enough TO hold. The enemy con
| contracted numbers and drove them back
| on the very day OF Early's removal Gran
| moved on the Petersburg lines; Marct
| 3lst Five-Forks was lost: Petersburg wa
| carried April 3D. and a week later, Apr
| 9Th, the matchless Lee and the remnan
| or his matchless army surrendered. Whei
| Early heard the news he was sick In al
| ambulance going home from WytheVille
| He said. without the slightest irreVer
| ence | will say that the sound or IN
last trump would not have been NOR
| unwelcome TO my ears"
Comparisons have been made betweel
Jackson's and Early's campaigns, some
times TO the detrirnent OF the latter. TIL
| differences in their situations should b
| remembered.
| FOUGHT UNDER A FAILING STAR.
| First, jackson fought when the prestig
OF the Confederacy was in the ascend
ancy Early, when it was on the decline
| Atlanta fell before Sherman the day be
fore he defeated Crook, at kernstowf
our misfortunes at Vicksburg. Gettys
bury, Missionary Ridge. and Knoxvill
had taken place before Eary's campaig
begun. The waning resources OF the Cor
federacy and the collapse Of its finance
had changed the face of affairs. wit
Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee
| overrun, tho Trans Mississippi cut fToi
us, and the lower basin useless, IN
enemy could concentrate at VIII agains
our forces in Georgia ard Virginia.
Second. the Valley was Il garden and
granary when Jackson fought Earl
fought In a desert, where the crow fiyin
over ii would have TO carry his rations.
He had TO practice the arr of Napoleon
| scatter to subsist, and concentrate lo
| battle. He had men Selling and Brindln
stacks of wheat while battle ragged abou
them. What shall we eat and wherewith'
shall we be clothed was the problem {
his men. and II they plundered battle
fields il was hunger and nakedness tina
prompted them.
| Third, Jackson's cavalry was not over
| matched by the enemy's, as Early's wa!
three to one The Valley, now denude
| of fences and swept by fire. was a spler
did field for cavalry operations; an
| Early felt and expressed his sense of Dc
ficiency in cavalry His own was NOR
| overnumbered than any other arm c
| the service; IL was terribly overworke
| and overstrained-for instance, Payne
| Brigade was under fire every day for
month before the battle Of Viii
| chester. The Federal Government sur
| piled its troops with good mount
| and bountiful forage, while our cavaIr
had to make-shift to get horses as bes
| they could. many being absent at q
| times in search for them. When they &c
them, 1t was equally difficult 20 fee
them; and more than once brigades wei
| disbanded to get horses, while their rem
nants fought dismounted. When Sherida
| mustered a cavalry corps that reporte
| over sixteen thousand for duty. mel
mounted and equipped. with sabres. pi'
| tolls, and repeating rifles, our trooper
had to procure any kind OF weapons the
| could, while their half-famished steet
reminded us of the poor Jades Of HenT
the Fifth at Agincourt.
THE gum down roplng from their pal
dead eyes.
, And in their pale, duh mouths the gimm
bit
Lies foul with chewed grass, still al
motionless;
And their executors, the knayIsh crow
: fly over them
| All impatient for the hour"
1t must be remembered that Early
first chief OF cavalry, General Robe
Ransom. was compelled to retire from
health. and that he also lost the valuah
services of General Fitzhugh Lee by h
wound at Winchester. That Rosser al
: Lomax, McCausland. and their 81
bordlnates did so well under u
circumstances Is wonderful, and
wish had time to refer mo-
at length TO their various exploits. Ro
, ser's movements at New Creek and BE
! erly-where he lit up the closing seen
|! OF disastrous war with signal victories
! deserve especial mention.
Many splendid deeds and names ha'
I left out OF my recital which well d