The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-10
BULLER AND SHERMAN.
[From the Chattanooga Times

lfrOm the Chattanooga Times.
Buffers task, the relief of Ladysmith
and the capture of Pretoria, is in re-
spect of some of the conditions, much
like the one Sherman confronted when
in early May, 1864, he left this city with
Johnston's army of nearly 10000 men in
front of him, his objective being At
lanta. Shermans route was through
narrow valleys, across rivers, over
foothills and mountains Buffers line
of march for hundred miles and more
north of Colenso is across the Drakens-
burg range, mountain chain not I'M
like our Appalachian. Johnston's first
faced about in a strong position near
Dalton. He was fianked by Shermans
23d corps, Gen. Schofeld, and had
barely time to pull back his left to
Reseca to check the federal thanking
column and fight it until his transpor-
tation could be moved toward Kings
ton. The confederate general made no
serious effort to again check his antag
onist until he reached Altoona. There
he was again f1anked and the next
halt he made was on the high slope of
Kenesaw and the foothills extending off
to the west of that peak. Sherman
fought his enemy with two corps and
sent third around to the left, forcing
Johnston back to Atlanta. Johnston was
too wise a general to attempt holding
river lines, after the ancient style of
grand tactics. Modern methods of
crossing large bodies of men over
streams quickly have made them of
small account as distractions against a
larger army.
Sherman's last strategical move was
in front of Atlanta, after Johnston was
relieved and Hood placed in command
of the confederate army, and it has
been held by competent critics as the
finest thanking movement of the civil
war. Some have ranked this specimen
of grand tactics as quite equal of the
best generalship displayed by Napoleon.
If Butler has men enough to keep his
enemy busy, with a strong division to
spare for thanking, he can and will re-
peat Sherman'S campaign of the sum-
mer of 1864. Assuming that Joubert
falls back from LadySmith the British
general will have the railway from
Durham behind him open. 1t is 40 miles
from Duran by rail to LadySmith.
That place is we'll fortified, an excel
lent sub-base of supplies. Away in the
north by west lie johannesburg and
Pretoria, $50 miles by rail- nearly 300
to Kruger's capital. as the crow flies.
But Butler will not be the whole
thing" in the aggressive campaign.
Kitchener is rapidly organizing big
| corps, made up of infantry, mounted
troops, artillery, a brigade of naval
batteries. This force is being put into
shape at Cape Town. 1t will soon be
on the trek to relieve Methuen, who is
/ backed up to Orange river near Hope
Town besieged by Cronje's Free state
| army. This latter wing of the Boer
! army must be strengthened or Kitch-
ener viii have it his own way and beat
! Butler to the objective. From Coles
/ burg to Pretoria is 500 miles. The rail-
road is almost a bee line A dash on
! Bloenlfontein. the Free State capital,
/ would force the abandonment of the
| siege of Kimberley and Mafeking.
! To oppose the converging British col
umns, starting from points separated
| by 400 miles of South African mountain
and veldt, and moving to the meeting
! point, Pretoria, of two great railway
| lines, the Beers have probably 10000
men fit for duty. The British now have
about 81, 900 in South Africa or in tran
! sit, and $4,000 in reserve at Aldershot
| or in more temporary home camps. 1t
| is plain the campaign can have but