The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-16
SUNDAY. APRIL JIG. 1899.
GEN. sHERIDAN's IDEA or WAR,


The promise which General p. II. Shorl-
dan. u. s. A. made to General Grant in
1854 that ne would so devastate the Val
lev of Virginia that "a crow would have
20 carry his rations i'm flying across it,
defined I'm a measure that Generals idea
OF war. His views on the subject are.
however. further illustrated I'm an uneN-
pected way by his opinion expressed TO
the German officers ga the Franco-Prus-
elan war. The New York Journal OF
Commerce. quoting from Mr. Gibson
Bowles. NJ y. in the Contemporary RE
View. says
The idea that war is a duel between the
armed forces of two nations in which the
civilian populations take no part except
10 pay taxes he regards as absurd. and
he quotes General sheridan as saying 20
German generals during the war with
France THAT NOTHING SHOULD BE
LEFT To THE POPULATION or AN
INVADED COUNTRY EXCEPT THEIR
EYES To WEEP WITH
Mr. BOWles argues with apparent plau-
sibity that war should Doe made as de-
structive as possible that it may sooner
end. and that the civil population ought
90 be made 60 feel the horrors of war
that IL may apply pressure 10 its govern
ment 90 end the state Of hostility This
IS precisely the idea of war that was held
by the ancients and is stl held by tribes
that We call savage.
II war ia 10 be made as awful as DOssi-
bic that its duration may b. abbreviated
why should prisoners of war De taken2
They are often great inconvenience and
1xrr ltHF
oueror. and II they were butchered. the
enemy would find 10 more dincult prob
ably. 20 recruit his ranks Why should
the population of an invaded country
have their ewes left 90 them n they have
nothing else? Where supplies are likely
20 fan into the hands of an onemv's
army. and are therefore carried OF or
destroyed tho situation is little die
ferent II the people are 20 have nothing
left but their weeping eyes iu order 20
terrorize the enemy and hasten the end
Of the way 70 would be more effective and
more mcrciful 10 put the population to
the sword than 70 leave % 20 die Of star
walton and exposure Mr. Bowles' Nnd
General Shcrdan's-Edl idea Of war
would he realized by poisoning wells 10y
the torture of prisoners. bv tho dostruc-
tion 81 an cities and villages that are
captured
IL IS hard 20 eNalt into greatness man
who would conduct war in such manner
and it IS impossible Tor Southern people
ever 20 feel anything but detestafon 10Y
The author Of the atrocities wreaked upon
their homes and families.
When General Lee invaded Pennsylva-
MIA he absolutely forbade any trospass
whatever on private property that was
not necessary.
Victories should he over men-not over
women and children.
To the eternal glory Of The women Of
the Valley OF Virginia. they were defiant
70 their enemies. faithful TO the cause and
ever willing 10 share their last crumb
with a Confederate soldier TO the bitter
end.
Their eyes were not given over to weep
ing. but were used diligently 10 repair
the damage done 10y their rcmorseless
enemies and 10 help their defenders.
How much glory and honor attaches 10
the baTbarous in War IS well cxempndcd
by the esteem IN which General Sheridan
is he'd.