The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-03

ADMIRAL DAHLGREN.
and the capture of Wagner has fairly
earned the title of " The Fort Smasher. -
Through these operations he was
pitted against the ablest Engineer Of the
Confederates, Gen. p G. 7. Beauregard.
When, in the flank movements of
Gen. w. I. Sherman,
SUMTER WAS EVACUATED,
Gen. Gilmore was once more in COM
mand Of the Department of the South.
In January, 1860, he moved directly
up the channel without encountering
any accident or obstruction of note, and
his vessel was laid alongside the wharves
of Charleston.
In February, 1864, he organized an
expedition Of 5000 men, under the COM
mand of Gen. Trueman Seymour, to
take possession of jacksonville and GER
tain territories In Florida. Seymour
pushed forward towards the interior and
was defeated by Gen. Finegan at
Olustee, with a loss Of 1000 out of
5000. The movement was in direct
violation of orders.
Gilmore was now ordered with the
Tenth Corps to report to Gen. Butler at
Fortress Monroe and move up the James
River against Richmond, in order to
cooperate with Gen. Grants advance
through the Wilderness. On the 9th OF
May the lines extended from the James
to the Appomattox.
Gen. w. f. Smith was cooperating
with Gilmore; dissensions arose with
Butler as to the movements, and Gill
more was relieved from duty in this de-
partment.
Many experienced soldiers assert that
when Butler first landed at Bermuda
Hundreds he could have marched,
WITHOUT FIRING GUN,
10 the city of Petersburg by Swift
Greek, or by the movement which Gems.
Gilmore and Smith suggested.
On the 18th they were confronted by
Beauregard at Proctor's Creek. On the
10Th the rebel Generals had made such
a concentration Of troops that all chance
Of success was lost.
On the Goth Gillmore's pickets were
driven in and his rife-pits taken.
On the 9Th of June be was ordered to
make a reconnaissance Of Petersburg.
Butler was dissatisfied, and ordered Gill
more TO Fortress Monroe.
1t was evident from the experiences
Of our late war that engineer officers
were too cautious. 1t is their study to
make war on certain assumed data, with
q preponderance of elements Of SUCCESS in
their favor, always wishing to make as
surance doubly sure. They are not will
ing to hazard any risks, and their ten
denotes are TO check rather than rush On
any aggressive campaign.
Warren at Five Forks. Mcpherson at
Resaca, Wetzel at Fort Fisher, Halleck
at Corinth, Mcclellan at Richmond,
Gilmore and Smith at Bermuda Hun
dreds, and in numerous other instances.
the Judgment OF the people Of the United
States contrasted these Generals most
disadvantageously with such soldiers as
Sheridan, Grant, Meade, jackson, John
ston, McLaws, Longstreet, Hancock,
Grierson, Forrest. Dick Taylor, and
Others. No ones historic record can 90
beyond what the voice of the people
will accord him.
In his legitimate province as an en-
gineer and artillerist he was noted for
the
ORIGINALITY AND THE BoLDNEss
of his projects. He revolutionized the
science Of attack on permanent foltifca-
lions and staked bis professional reputa-
tion on the grand operations based upon
his new theories of gunnery, and among
recent engineers in military science Gill
more ranks as peer Of the renowned
Todleben Of Crimean fame.
Gen. Gilmore was most ably seconded
by Gen. John w. Turner, that renowned
artillery officer, who rendered such valu-
able service in erecting and arming the
batteries for the reduction of Pulaski,
Wagner and Sumter, and was the able
Chief of Staff in the Department of the
South in 1863,-64
The u. S. Engineer officers were Mai.
J.W. Albert, c. B. Reese, p. s. Niche,
and {. r. Suter.
Even the Confederate soldiers were
Impressed with a high admiration for
Gen. Gilmore, which they have ex-
pressed as follows:
"Outfought We were not, but we were
outwitted and outgeneraled by the Yam
KEGS. Our garrison never exceeded ! 900
men, but had withstood the thoroughly
equipped command of Maj.-Gen. Gill.
more and the feet commanded by Ad.
miral Dahlgren.