The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-05-08

CnanC, Dy Il JapdHcsc Claih vi 4uHd-
tic, is said to have modified the intense
war spirit of the japanese, and not
only hastcncd the treaty of peace, but
abatcd the terms and conditions con-
tcmplated by the victorious japanese.
Many of you doubtless recall the
graphic description given by Victor
Hugo of the Battle of Waterloo in his
marvellous book 'Les Miscrablcs.
He represents the French Emperor
Napoleon as having impressed a Bel.
gian peasant Lacostc, as a guide, and
kept him by his side strapped to his
horse. But the crises of this great
historic battle on the result of which
hung the fate Of Europe Napoleon is
said to have asked the peasant guide
a question, to which he nodded assent.
Thcrcupon the Emperor ordered that
celebrated but fatal charge of the cnri-
assiers, the miscarriage of which turn
cd the tide of battle against him.
The inference was that Napoleon ask
ed the unfriendly guide if the ground
was suited for cavalry manouvrcs and
the guide answered in the Affirmative,
knowing the contrary to be true, inten-
tionally leading Napoleon into blum
der, at vital crisis.
Of course, allowances must be made
for the embellishments of novelist,
but, believe the facts he states arc
substantially correct, and Victor Hugo
draws the conclusion from them, that
not only was the Battle of Waterloo
decided, but the map of Europe
changed "by the nod of a peasant" !"
After the battle of williamsburg,
Johnson's retreat into the fortifica-
tions around Richmond, the invest
ment of that city by McClelland, the
battle of Seven Pines, the wounding
of Johnston, and assignment of Lee to
the command of the army, the san
culinary seven days fighting at Me-
Gainesville, Frasier's Farm, Gaines
Mill, Old Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill,
McClelland' discomforture and retire
ment to his gun boats on the James
River are matters of history.
There was one manouvre in those
series of brilliant movements about
which have felt anxious to procure
correct information without success
whether Johnston before he retired
from the command of the army, or
Lee after he assumed command, con-
ceived the strategy, by which Jackson
crossed the mountains from the valley
and struck McClelland such a terrible
blow on his right flank at Mechanics
Vile and doubled it back on his CEN
ter. Either of these great generals,
both masters in the art of war, were
capable of the brilliant conception,
but doubt if another living soldier
could have executed it as did the i'm
mortal Jackson. My rank did not
entitle me to the confidence of those
entrusted with the conduct of military
operations, but I remember the gossip
in the army decided that Jackson was
being greatly reinforced from Rich
mond to enable him to cross the Pota-
mac and strike Washington in the
rear. What must have been our sur
prise then. and what the surprise Of
the Federals, when Jackson appeared
suddenly and hurled his terrific thun-
derbolts against McClelland' right?
I do not recall any strategy of war,
or of any war, more brilliant in con-
ception or more splendid and brilliant
in execution.
McClelland has been charged with
having been slow of movement, over
cautious, wanting in boldness and
audacity, but he was great soldier, a
profound student Of the art of war,
great in organization, discipline and
perfection of his plans-actiye and in
itiative in their execution. 1t is no
disparagement to the greatest soldiers
on either side to say, in many respects
he was the equal of the greatest Of
them.
It behooved him to be cautious and
wary in the presence of such military
giants as confronted him, and he fur
nished the best evidence of his high
soldierly qualities, by the manner in
which he extricatcd himself from the
clutches Of Lee and Jackson in the
seven days fighting, preserving the
morale of his army under the terrible
pounding of Lees legions, always pre-
senting fierce, fighting line Of battle,
whenever the guantlet was thrown
down.