Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-12-26
VIRGINIA. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26 1894

I
the 10Th of February, 1865. extended his
command TO embrace the Department OF
West Virginia and East Tennessee, pre-
viously commanded by Gen. John {.
Breckenridge, who had now become the
Secretary Of War. This brave and ex-
cellent officers service under Early had
famiiarized him with his merits he had
testified to General Lee in high terms of
his capacity and energy and of his excel
lent disposition of his troops, and to Ear
ly's critics Lee had responded in language
| have already quoted. See War Rec
ords, :. 81, p. SO6.) But Early had now
to accept the fate Of war, for public opin-
ion, unadvised Of his difficulties and ex-
tTemities, cIamored for a new leader
Lee himself bad seen and felt its frequent
injustice, and has stated that public opin-
ion is more likely to be erroneous on mil.
itary affairs than any other because Of
their secrecy preventing complete knowl-
edge.
at clamored against him when he did
not win victory in West Virginia against
Jackson before the Valley campaign
against Albert Sidney Johnston before he
fell at Shiloh it demanded Joe John
stoD' 5 removal when he retreaIed before
Sherman, and as loudly demanded his
restoration when Hood advanced and fail
ed. On the other hand, when Thomas
was defeating Hood at Nashville the mes
sage was on Its way to supersede him for
not fighting and was drowned out in the
shouts Of bis victory. While he yielded
to the current Of opinion respecting Ear
ly's operation, General Lee in addressing
him The letter relieving him from duty,
on March 80, 1865, declared therein his
own confidence in his ability and zeal
and devotion to be unimpaired, and con-
Guiding with an expression Of thanks for
the fidelity and courage with which you
have always supported my efforts and foT
the courage and devotion you have always
manifested in the service Of the country"
Senator Daniel, in speaking Of the rank
which Early deserved i'm the list Of Con.
federate generals, said
Il have said, and have heard it said
by one Of the best officers that served un.
der Early, that among our Confederate
army commanders he was second only TO
Lee and Jackson. And who, pray you,
may dispute that precedence We could
not say Albert Sidney Johnston, for he
never fought a single battle from start to
finish he fell at Shiloh delivering well
conceived and brave attack, aud victory
passed from the field with his fall. He
lived a glorous hope he died glorious
martyr; he lives yet glorious memory,
but the deeds he might have done are
not On the principle, and for reasons,
though in far less degree, we could not
say Joseph Z. Johnston or Beauregard.
They divided honors in our irst glorious
victory at Manassas and are entitled to
the highest distinction therefor John
ston msneuvered we'll at Yorktown, struck
Mcclellan a parting blow with fine ad-
dress at Williamsburg, and then ike Al
bert Sidney Johnston at Shiloh, fell
wounded as he was pressing the enemy at
Seven Pines, when opportunity vanished.
For two years he was not again in battle
until 1864, when he took cammand Of a
defeated army at Dalton and conducted
a mastery retreat TO Atlanta, fighting as
he fell back at Dalton, Resaca, New
Hope Church and Kenesaw, and indeed
all along the way, with c5urage, skill and
effect Unfortunately removed from CON-
mand ere bis commands matured, there
was was no chance to judge them by the
event aud when he returned t. a broken
but undismayed army and led it in its
last gallant fight at Bentonville it was
only the prelude Of surrender"