Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-08-27

posing armies, transferring to the
Union troops the hitherto conf
dence OF the Confederate soldier
In dong this, Grant made certain
the ultimate downfall of the Re
belllon. Missionary Ridge con
frmed that confidence, notwlth-
standing the bIunders of the enemy
as much as the genius of the Union
General made that victory easier
than he expected. Donaldson,
vicksbnrg, aud Missionary Ridge
we're the chief laurels with which
Grant was crowned when he went
To meet Lee.
The war had been in progress
for year before Lee had done any
thing worthy of the public ex.
peciation of him. His West VIr.
gIula campaign against kOsecrans
had even damaged the reputation
he had gained 10 Mexico wears be-
fore. Bat the battle of Fair OAks,
in May, 1862, showed the Army
OF Northern Virginia that the loss
of Johnston was not, as :hey sup.
posed, irreparable. The seven days
of carnage ending at Malvern Hill
in which terrible battles, almost
unexampled IN history, one Is at d
loss which more 10 admire, the
heroism of the persistent attack or
the stubborn masterly defense aud
retreat-changed the hope of the
Southern soldiers Into enthusiastic
confidence in their new commander.
The second Manassas, in August,
qualified later by 4 ntletam, but
followed by Frederick in December,
closed campaign which left no
doubt of the extraordinary re.
sources and talents Of General Lee.
The victory at Chancellorsyllle in
the succeeding Nay was not for
gotten even in the great disaster
tbat followed so soon at Gettys-
burg. so that, when the campaign
of 1888 closed, Lee was universally
regarded as the ablest OF the Con
federate commanders. 1t must
however, be admitted that the
Maryland campaign which ended
IN the battle on Altletam, WAS
both a political and military blum
dea. The immediate retreat of the
Confederate commander across
the Potomac, after sustaining a
loss IN battle be could not afford,
was the first serious damper upon
the exuberant aud well-earned con
fidence in It's own invlnclble
prowess of the Army OF Northern
Virginia. Still more lndefenslble,
both from a political and military
stand. paint, and far more dlsas
trous to the Southern cause, was
the invasion of Pennsylvania, 50
suddenly and successfully arrested
by General Meade at Gettysburg.
which battle was a strate gic blnn
der on the part OF General LIE,
aud a real defeat, however leisure.
'y, mastery, snd successful his r.
treat. When he fOunl that the
Federal commander, frrm whateYer
cause, by whomsOYer's f4alt, had
with a superior force secured much
the advantage in position, he
should haYe withdrawn from
Gettysburg and awaited the attack
upOn more equal ground. as coun
seled to do by his ablest generals.
The third days battle there, In
which he vainly hurled his heroic
columns against HAncock's in
trenchmeUts upon Cemetery Hill,
aud sacrificed the flower OF his
army in a charge glorious and i'm
mortal as any thing in history, but
futile and fatal, will forever remain
a cloud on the military fame OF
General Lee, aud marked the turn.
ing point IN the Confederate cause.
Yet his conduct there was but the
exaggeration OF the very quality
which distinguished both Lee and
Grant, and made them great; that
is unwavering confidence, unfalt-
eriDg resolution, the one lndispen
sable quality, and always predomi-
nant in all the great captains OF
history. In battle the real con
uueror is without sentiment or pity,
aad knows that war is cruelty
persOnifieo: that success and sut
fering are leagued together. With
him the moral questions have all
been settled before he puts on his
sword. Lee saw and confessed the
mistake OF Gettysburg, and, in a
silent agony OF sympathy with hi:
brave men, took all the blame
They forgaye, trusted, and loveC
him still.
1t must be admitted that wheT
the two great captains met face Il