The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-03

iaults, and remember his great ability.
his stern patriotism. his unpurchasable
integrity, his love for truth his hatred
of skulkers during or since the war"
his unwayering devotion to the land ana
cause he loved so well. and his able
defence Of the truth Of Confederate his
tory, and manly virdication Of the name
and fame Of our Confederate leaders
and people.
One of the Ablest Captains.
Az a soldier. he was unquestionabiy
one of the ablest men we had
His service in command Of EwelTs old
Division at First Freder icksburg. Second
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the
Campaign Of 1864, from the Rapidan TO
Cold Harbor, and the ability with which
he handled a. l.. Hlrs corps when in
temporary command OF il at Spottsyl-
yalia Courthouse during the sickness of
General Hill, gave the army and
the people the highest opinion OF
ms ability as soldier, and there was
no surprise when It was announced that
General Lee had put him in command
OF Ewells corps (the old "Stonewauo
Cofps), and had sent him 10 meet Hun
ter at Lynchburg.
Had lie Fallen at Cold Hsrbor.
If General Early had fallen at Cold
Harbor in June "a. or I'm front OF Wash
ington. July Sth. ne would unquestionably
have gone down 10 history as one of the
ablest generals OF the Confo deracy. The
subsequent disasters i'm the Valley did
dim his fame. for the time at least. but
when the future historian comes TO scan
all Of the facts he viii do justice to this
able and sturdy soldier.
X. l.. Lees Estimate of Him.
I .f-
OF Early's ability. zeal, and devotion TO
the cause and OF "the fidelity and en-
ergy with which he always supported his
Uee's) efforts, and the courage and de-
votion he ever manifested in the service
of the country"
More than once / heard him express
himself in strong terms as to General
Early's ability as a soldier
Upon several occasions 1 heard Presi-
dent Davis speak Of General Early as
among the abest soldiers whom the
war produced, and there car be bul
little doubt that this will be the calm
verdict of history.
Certainly his old soldiers believed IN
HIM General Early WAS in the true sense
Of the term patriot True 10 the Union
he was true to Virginia, and true TO the
South, and while he refused 10 vote for
the ordinance of secession or TO sign il
until after the battle Of Williamsburg.
Re did believe in the right OF revolution.
and when the war begun he did not hesi-
tate to cast in his lot with his native
South, and from that day the cause of
the ConfederaCy had no truer. hrmer,
more devoted adherent than he.
IF there was "a class whom he heartily
despised IL was those men who were
t4lu
out of il when the war came.
An Original secessionisi.
1 remember TO have witnessed this
scene on one OF our marches We We're
passing through a certain village where
lived an original secessionist who had
denounced him as "a submissiOuist" in
the Virginia Convention. Riding up to
crowd on the street "Old Jube" inquired
where Mr.. - was. and what be was
doing and being told that he was absent.
he said: "l am very sorry, / would Ike
TO see him He Is the gentleman who
used 10 denOunce me as "a submlssOnist
I'm the Virginia Convention, who used to
say that he did not want .peaceabie se-
cession. that he wanted 20 wade through
seas of blood 70 independence / would
really like 10 see him. / want 10 see how
much blood he has on his breeches
understand ihae he noi1- hicn position
in the grand army of spectators who are
fighting us in the rear while We are at
the front defending his precious carcas."
II is related Of him that one night on
one OF his retreats mp the valley he was
riding with the great orator. statesman,
and soldier General John g. Brecknri1ge,
and broke a sad silence by suddenly ask
ing: "Brecknridgc what a. YOU think
tonight Of the 'Dred Scott decision and
of our right 90 carry our negroes into the
territories? ii looks very much as If we
were going 10 lose some Of them from the
States does it not?
General Earlys bold. able, and even
tender defence of the cause Of the Con-
federacy and of its leaders private sol
diers. and people from the close OF the
war 90 the time OF his death Is known |
and honored Of all men.
Thoroughly posted on all Of the details |
Of the war accurate in his statements,
and very able in his way Of putting things, |
his terse. vigorous. English, and keen, |
cutting sentences were felt far and wide |
and his military papers are among the |
most valuable that have been written.
His Memoirs Of tho War.
His "Memoir Of the Last Year OF the |
W AT rs very AdiAtHitf anu II - tNIFi- /
stood that he has left In manuscript his |
memoirs Of the whole war. which will |
De an, invaluable contribution TO our |
He guarded the name and fame |
IF General Lee with hlial tenderness, and |
affection, and his friendship for President |
Davis and his readiness 10 defend him |
against slander and yindcate his con-
iuct during and after the war, were
'eally touching
But he was equally ready TO do justice
% all OF his old comrades. and 10 the
private soldiers Of the Confederacy.
Seven Surviving Lieutenant Generals.
Our old soldiers are fast passing away.
IF the twenty-one Lieutenant Generals
by the Confederacy only
even Of them now remain; General James
Gainesville, Ga; stephen ID.
zee, Starkeville, Miss; a. T. Stewart,
Var Records Office, Washington, Wade
hampton. Washington; Simon B. Buckner,
kentucky; Joseph Wheeler House Of Rep
esentatives Washington. and John B. |
GORDON. United States Senate. But among /
hem all there was no truer patriot more |
leyoted soldier. or nrmer adherent to the |
ause Of the Confederacy than General
ubal A. Early.
Peace 10 his ashes
Honor to his memory!