The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-27
on to Richmond.

VII w
San Antonio, Texas, August Ca very
good citizen, who came south after the
war, asked the writer II Richmond present
ed great natural defenses, or was difficult
of approach for an army. This must have
been present query with all inqulring
minds who have meditated upon the
length and intensity of the great war.
The capital OF the Ccnfederacy was city
OF, say 10000 souls. p is the head OF
navigation OF the James river. Like Rome,
pestles upon her seven hills but to the
north stretches plain OF open, cultivated
lands Offering no natural obstruction to an
invading army. The same may be said as
well TOWARD the east, where the sluggish
Chlckahominy, about seven to ten miies.
describing the arc Of circle from the CEN
ter OF the city, the brush and forest OF It's
sWamry ground bottoms, are the only oh
stEcle to the approach OF en- army. Gen
eTal Johnston regarded Richmond as a
bad selection of the Confederate chieftain
such Il must 10 the scientific military
man rs General Johnston was; and hence
General Johnston was always full of fore
bCdings, considering the numerical advan-
tages Of the invading army.
Johnston was gloomy at Centervllle all
the fall aud winter OF ls61-62. He grew al
most frantic at the suggestion when he
begged Richmond for more troops TO send
him some unarmed regiments as the very
best that could be done In November 1861
Don't send unarmed men to be in my
way. showing that as military man he
had too much learning" What would FOR
rest that untutored soldier. have said?
The question carries with II the ready an
swer This was not intended FOR crlti-
cism OF General Johnston (but We privates
always indulged), but the retreat from
Centcrville on the 9th Of March, 1862. was
a surprise to General Mcclellan. who at
that time was getting together his trans
boats--to so TO his fnvorite
base OF operations" the Peninsular At
Centerville he was a menace to Washing
ton. After Johnston's retreat Little Mac
was provoked when Lincoln stu required
an army OF 10000 men to garrison Wash
ington Well. after the Confederate army
had exhausted retreat" and the army OF
invasion camped on the banks OF the
Chiokahominy, still Little Mac seemed TO
expect nothing but to walt patiently. and
Richmond would fall without hght. But
General Johnston was wounded In the arm
at Seven Pines. which was a battle brought
about by General Johnston on account Of
q heavy rainfall May 30, he taking advan-
taec as he thought. Of divided army,
by part being on one side OF the chicka-
hominy land which was a mistake In the
river being at all swollen to give such
advantage and II miscarried)
Not until the Goth OF June was the mo-
notony stirred--of seeing the big balloon
going up anily on the other side, then the
fight was by attack by the Confederate
army under General Lee, who had taken
after General Johnston was
wounded.
on the evening OF the Goth OF June. 1852.
Jackson. within hearing having rapidly
from the valley OF the shenan-
doah, heard the booming OF d. II. Hills
artillery at Mechanicsyille, This was Nc
right. within six miles of Rich.
mond 10 this little village was turnpike.
over a level country, crossing the Chicka-
hominy. where Il was In summer time a
mere branch. Hin turned this wing OF the