Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-18
COL. LAMB ON GEN. EARLY.

Col. William Lamb has written the
following letter in relation to Senator
Daniels late eulogy on Gen. Early:
It is very painful to me to feel
obliged, in defence of confederate COM
rades, to say aught OF General Jubal A.
Early, save in praise, now that he has
been gathered to his fathers, but the
extravagaut claim of Senator Daniel
that, in the art of war, he surpassed all
of our great Confederate generals save
Lee and Jackson, seems such travesty
on historical facts and such reflec-
ton on the brave men who lost all con-
fidepce in General Early as command
er, that | cannot refrain from making a
short protest in the interest of the truth
of the history of Che war between the
States. ] would call attention to the
letter of General Robert E. Lee to
General Early, dated headquarters,
Petersburg, September 9th, 1864, (see
Longs memorial of Lee, appendix p.
$500. In it Lee thus criticises Early:
GAS far as I can judge at this dis
tance, you have operated more with di-
visions than you have with your con-
centrated strength. Circumstances
NAV have rendered it necessary, but
such course is to be avoided if posi-
ble.'
GLOW absurd to claim for any gen.
eral such an exalted position whenever
great Lee thus mildly reproves him.
General Lee continues in the same let
ter: The men are all good, and only
REQUIRE instruction and discipline. The
enemy's force cannot be so greatly SUI
perior to yours
Imagine Napier or Wolsely being re-
minded by their commander of the ne
cessity for instruction and discipline of
their men! And this want of general
ship showed itself in the disastrous de-
feat at Fishers Hill in less than
month after General Lees letter was
written, when q Confederate victory
was converted into defeat-infantry OF
the army of Northern Virginia, in
spite of entreaties, threats or appeals,
deeipg before the federal cavalry.
"Can any one say that this panic was
not caused by want of confidence OF
the Confederates in their commander?
And can any one be classed as great
general who fails to inspire his men
with a belief in his invincibility? But
General Early sought to excuse his
lack of generalship by cruel reflections
upon his subordinates. for in his ex-
planatory report to General Lee
New Market, October 81, 1864
he saws: THE truth is, we have
very few field and company officers
worth anything, most of our good offl-
GERS having been killed, wounded or
captured, and it is impossible to pre-
serve discipline What commentary
on his own inefficiency, with the ma
terial at hand to make the best officers.
"Lastly, let the student of history
read General Lees letter to Lieutenant
General J. A. Early (Franklin Court
house, Va, from headquarters Con-
federate States armies, March 30, 1862
| accompanying his order relieving
General Early from command. General
Lee says:
"'Your reverses in the Valley, of
which the public and army judge it titiy
by the results, have, 1 fear, impaired
vour influence, both with the people
and the soldiers, and would add great
" to the difficulties which will, under
anv circumstances, attend our military
operations in southern Virginia :,
GLOW far personal friendship will
blind an intelligent mind is illustrated
in Senator Daniels preposterous claim
that General Early ranked with your
greatest confederate generals"