The sun., 1897-12-05

rely on him TO mako logical abatement or 20 sxer-
else any independent command.
OF steeIe'a Brigadiers. Col. Woods euninentiy de-
serves promotion. A Hercules In form, In energy,
and In pertinacty, he II both safe and aure. Col.
Manter OF Missouri Is onicer; Col Farrar
of Missouri 10 OF no account Gen Thayer Ia fair,
but not firs,-rate of1cer.
Frank Blair Is about the samo an oflcer that he
ia as politician. He Is Intelligent, prompt deter
mined rather nclinIng TO disorder poor discipline
rian but bravo fighter judge that ho will soon
leave the army and that ho prefers his eeat In Con-
Kresa to his commission.
In Frank Blairs division thero arc two Brigadier-
Generals, Ewing and Ltghtburn. Ewing seems to
possess many OF the qualities OF his father whom you
know better than do. suppose. Lehtburn has not
served long with this army, and have had oppor
tunity Of learning his measure. Placed in command
during the siegc where Gen. Sherman himself directed
what was to be done. he has had little to do. He
seems to belong to the heavy rather than the rapid
department OF the forces.
Col Giles Smith Of the very hest Brieadiors in
shermans corps perhaps the best OF all next 70 Col
Woods He only requires tho chance to develop into
an oficer OF uncommon power and usefulness There
are plenty OF men with Generals commissions who.
in all military respects, are not t to tie his shoes
OF Gen. Tuttie, who commands sherman's Third
DIVISION I have already spoken. and need not hero
repeat IT, Bravery and zeal constitute his only quail
ncations for command His principal Brigadier is
Gen. Mower, a brilliant ofilcer but not of largo
mental calibre. Col. Woods. who commands another
of his brigades is greatly esteemed by Gen. Grant,
but do not know him; neither do know tho com.
mander OF his Third brigade.
Three divisions OF the Sixteenth Corps have been
serving in Grants army for some time past. They
all commanded by Brigadier.Generals, and the
brigades by Coones. The nrst OF these divisions to
arrive before vicksburg was Lauman's. This Cen.
eral got his promotion by bravery in the field and
Iowa political influence. He is totally unnt to
mand-a very good man. but q very poor General.
His brigade commanders none OF them above
mediocrity The next division Of the sixteenth Corps
to Join the Vicksburg army was Gen. Kimball's He
Is not so bad commander as Lauman. but he ia bad
enough; brave OF course, but lacking tho military
sinct and the genius of generalship. don't know
any OF his brigade commanders. The third division
OF the Sixteenth Corps. vicksburg, is that
OF GEN w. s. Smith. This is Of the best officers
in that army. rigid disciplinarian. his divis-
ion is always ready and always SAFE A man
OF brains. q hard worker. unpretending, quick.
suggestive. he may also bo . little crotch
ETY.. for such 10 his reputation, but judge that
he only needs the opportunity to render great
vices What his brigade commanders worth
can't say, but am they have Q frstrate school
master in him.
now come to the Seventeenth Corps and TO its
most prominent division General, Logan. This Is q
man OF remarkable qualities and peculiar character
Heroic and brilliant. he Is sometimes unsteady. In
spring his men with his ow on tho field
Of battle he 10 splendid in all its crash and
tou but before begins he is doubtful OF result
and after it fearful e may yet be be aten
man OF instinct and OF reflection his judgments
are often absurd, but his extemporaneous opinions
very apt to be right Deficient in education de-
clent. too. in nice and elevated moral sense he 10
fu OF generous attachments and sincere amin
On the whole. few the cause of tho country
more effectively than ho, and mono servo It moro
faithfully.
Logan's oldest brigade commander 10 Gen. John d.
stevenson of Missouri. He is person OF much talent
but grubler. He was one OF the oldest Colonels In
the volunteer service. but because he had always
been an anti-slavery man all the others wcre pro
NOTED before him. This still one of his grounds foI
discomfort, and In addition younger brtgaders have
been put before him since. Thus the world will no,
70 TO suit him. He has HIS own notions, too Of wha,
should be done on the field of battle, and Gen. Nc
Pherson has twice during this campaign had to re
buke him very severely for his failure to como tc
time on critical occasions.
Logan's Second Brigade is commanded by Gen. Lot
gett OF Ohio. This ofcer has distinguished himself
during the siege, and will be likely to distinguish
himself hereafter. He possesses q clear head, aI
equable temper. and great propusive power over hi
men. He is also hard worker. and whatever h,
touches goes easily. The Third Brigade Of this Di
vision has for short timo been commanded by Col
Force only know that Logan. Mcpherson, ant
Grant all think we'll OF him.
Next In rank among McPhersons division General
IS Macarthur. He has been in tho throughou
the campaign. and has had little opportunity o
proving his metal. He is a shrewd. steady Scotch
man. trustworthy rather than brilliant. good hard
knocfs but not great commander. Two of hi
Brigaders however. have gained very honorable
:inction In this campaign namely. Crocker who com
manded Quinby's div laion at Port Gibson Raymond
Jackson. and Champions Hill, and Ransom. Crocke
was sick throughout and as soon as Quinby returne
| to his command had to go away. and It is feare
may never be able to come back He Is a
| onlcer OF great promise and remarkable power
| Ransom has commanded on McPhersons righ
| during the siege, and has exceeded ever
other BrIgader In the ZEAL intelligence and eicienc
| with which his siege works were constructed au
| pushed forward. At the time OF the surrender hi
trenches were well completed that the engineer
agreed that they offered the best opportunity in til
| whole OF lines for the advance OF storming co
| umns. Capt Comstock told me that 10000 me
could there be marched under cover up to the yer
| lipo NJ thn In tbo Of oo d