The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-05
Campaign Histories.

Campaign Histories
One mans opinion is of little conse-
Quence. but the history of the processes
by which that opinion was formed pos
sesses at least psychological value, and
suspect that as it is with me so it has
been with some millions of Americans
read the history of the first campaign
around this city as it was unfolded
daily in 1862, and in 1854 read of the
second as the irregular mails brought
the daily history to our camp in Ala
hama. but this time a personal grief
was the greatest element in my dejec-
ton, for i'll the assaults on the bloody
angle four Of my former classmates at
Ann Arbor were killed and my young
est brother. aged but z and sergeant in
the First Michigan sharpshooters, re-
ceived his mortal wound Ever after
until this year I never could summon
the patience to read a detailed history
of it. although I did read Grants and
Mcclellan S personal accounts, neither of
which do I dignity with the name Of
history.
Thirty three years after Mcclellan
and 81 after Grant for the mere tourist
to give a detail of their movements
hereabout would be objectionable. The
most to be expected is that he should
note the local features and present to-
days conditions and notice especially
the wonderful contrasts in many re-
spects and the still more wonderful
sameness in others. Nevertheless some
bits of history will be necessary to the
understanding even of mere notes of
travel. Nature of course remains almost
unchanged. The Chickahominy is still
the same long swamp with a narrow
channel of sluggish current in the ecu
ter forming a splendid wet ditch de-
fenso exactly far enough in front of
Richmond The region through which
Mcclellan made what he called a
change Of base and his critics call re-
treat may lie described in three sections
first. the Chickahominy swamp aud
densely timbered highlands soath of it
! second. the great wLite cak swamp with
occasional low ridges Of solid land. and.
last, the open. half prairie country
about Malvern hill AS McClellan's
main line of march was almost exactly
straight south and as the roads from
| Richmond run east. northeast and
southeast like the spckes of n wheel. it
is plain to the reader without map
| that the CorfederateS at each successive
| point could strike tie Federals in flank
| Now. when this is remembered and we
consider in addition that the Federals
made the march perfect success. saved
every one Of their 5000 wagons and
$500 beef cattle and in every battle
Inflicted far more loss than they suf.
| fered. surely we must conclude that
the generalship was brilliant. It was.
however. chiefly the generalship of the
| corps commanders.
Losses In Battle.
read, as aforesaid. the history as it
unfolded and the personal statements
of the two Federal commanders, but
| during these two months of tramping
| have read two alleged full histories. and
I am happy to say that any reader can
get any kind Of history to suit his pol
itics or old time prejudices For an ex-
| IRENE pro- Mcclellan history that gen
erals own narrative will do, for an ex-
IRENE anti Mcclellan narrative the best
is found in Nicolay and Hays Life of
! Lincoln" and for a tolerably fair and
| impartial account Swinton' s book will
do. or at least will pass for good effort
in that direction. At this point curl
Gus discrepancy must be noted in the
/ Eo-roe which pprport fa ha ofieial