Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-16
A VERY INTERESTING RETRO
sPECTIVE GLANCE.
THE ON TO RICHMOND.
COMPARISON or THE STRENGTH OF
TIE ARMIES.
WILDERNESS AND SPOTSYLYAEIA.
THE FEARFUL SLAUGHTER AT
SECOND COLD HARDOR.
A Critic Torn to Picccs-The Tribute
OF Lord Wolselcy to the Confede-
r,tc commnnder-our Dead Mt
Camp Chnse--An Appeal.


Camp Chase--An Appeal.
c. E. Sears writes to the courier-JouT-
nal:
The dedication OF Grants tomb on
Tuesday was properly made the oc-
casion for a grand and patriotic as
play OF gratitude and admiration ana
has called forth many just tributes 10
the ability and achievements Of mat diS-
tingulsaed soldier. 1t is gratifying 100
,hat the Confederate veterans and their
sons volunteered TO participate in the
MAGNIFICENT and memorable demonstra-
ton. whatever difference OF opinion may
exist in regard TO Grants capacity as
general 10 intelligent or just person at
all familiar with the circumstances or
Lees surrender at Appomattox Court
house and OF Grants subsequent con-
duct toward his defeated enemy Will
deny the generosity and nobility OF the
victor. lie not only granted the most
liberal terms Of surrender, but supplied
the haif-starved legions OF Lee with
rations. offered them free transpor'@-
ton 10 their homes wherever It was pos
slble TO furnish H.; but. after the assdA-
eination OF Lincoln, when the CaDine1
az 1vasbinetou demanded the trial, con-
domination and execution OF Leo pS
court-rnartal he appeared before them,
declared that Lee had surrendered ana
bol been paroled by him; had not violated
his paroio and that II hair OF
his head was touched BY any sucn pro-
cess he would break his sword ana throw
fl At their feet. one must recah me luIy
OF the passions aroused BY the ghasuy
traredv 10 appreciate the courage ana
firmness which Grant olsplaye9 Oh '""'
critical occasion.
unfortunately, however, both for the
memory OF the dead general and the
cordial ana mutual fellowship when eA-
isto among the survivors Of both armies
the ceremonies IN New York have SUM-
mated "A small. though, happily dec!eas-
Ing. class Of writer's ana SPEAKERS
not only TO exaggerate his Skin as
general. but TO depreciaie that OF inc
great commander VINO opposed MN.
Whcther this Is the result OF marrow
ana biroted partisansnip, OF ignorance or
the fscts. or whether II IS mere device
FOR attracting attention which could not
o+rervrtss be secured. matters not. II
A. ana both TO the memory Of the dead
on each side. and TO the truth or MS
tory. that the facts be preserved ana
perpetuatci. ..os
General Grants career does not heel
tho distortion and Misrepresentation OF
those stirring events when ials1u nm
from cbscurity TO grandeur, ana "A.Cn
now impel his cOuntrymcn 10 honor MS
sahes aud his memory. Were he awe
RS conceded mo1esty and sense OF JUS
fieo would revolt az tie CctracuOh OF
his bcrol. adversary and cause MIN 10
turn away from those foolish races OF
unmcri.eI aluaticn.
From time 10 time Mr.. Leslie ]. Perry,
ora Of this class of writer's, has been
making some extraordinary ccntuDItions
10 the history of the war through Inc
columns OF the New YORK sun; and as
mlcht have been expected, he mas louhd
in the recent occasion en- excuse Tor sup
plying more history end for a still poiaer
ana loftlor fight Of his unwearied ana
incxhaustb'e Imagination. II was sup
,oecd bv those familiar with the records
~ The war that the articles recently
pubiished I'm the Century, entitled. cam
naicning with Grant" were sufficiently
extravagant and misleading TO SATISFY
the narrOwcst prejudices and the most
ignorant partisans'iD; but MI. Perry
seems more ambitious for distinction IN
the same direction and even less tram
,rcUed by the restraints of generally ac-
ce,fe1 facts. lie has discovered that
Grants place in history is that OF the
abiest. most cOmprehensive' general OF
tho war: that he gained a great victory
3n the battle OF the Wilderness because
he "dld not cose his head and rush OF
in retreat under the sudden impulse OF
fear that an was lost" and that no
such series OF rapid and able manoeu-
yros as those around Spotsylvania were
seen on any other field Of the war. Inc
vcry toreencgs with which the heretofore
aaehing Coaifodoratos Rugged their covers
WAS evidence" ne adds. "that they were
cowed and dlsmayed by the new order
OF warfare"
COMPARATIVE FIGURES.
Now let us take glance at few
facts and figures furnished not only by
the Confederate war records. but by
members Of Grants staff and other dis
tfnguishod Federal officers who were in
positions which afforded them opporinni-
ties for knowing what actually occurred
Oar superior 90 those possessed by Mr..
Perry. but who. unfortunately for Mr..
perrv's reputation az n historian. were
suided In their statements by what they
saw and knew more than by their wishes
and imagination.
There Is some difference OF opinion IN
regard 20 the number of troops which
Grant led across the Rapidan TO attack
Lee. General Badeau. IN his Military
History q II. s. Grant" a work prepared
by Grants authority. and. bvieye. under
hs supervision, puts the ex'ct number
rs follows:
Army of the Potomac ........,........ .l.2lS
Ninth Corps ........ -. ................ zz.'Vo
TOfol ........s.s.. s's..s.'s''. '.'fff-'''o'
Grants artillery numbered 3ib cannon.
The Secretary Of War however In his
report 20 the Thlrfy-ninth Congress- estl-
mated The army ~ 1870 men. The read-
or may form his own conclusions from
these two estima.fs--both beng from
hiyh Federal authority. The very morn
Ing OF the movement across the Eapidan
river General Gfant with his bOylO0t