The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-11

ertia,r point blanc refused to execute
those orders. and the only thing to show
on our side Is the Incompatible achieve
ment Of Pickett's Division.
Stuart rode around Mcclellan on the
Chickahominy; and beat back Hookers
cavalry sent to assist that chieftain's
ION to Richmond" Wheeler rode around
Rosecrans' army at Chattanooga, de-
stroyed his wagon train of LOCO laden
wagons and shot the 1000 mules that
drew it: went nearly to Nashville. de-
stroying depots Of supplies all along nus
route and shooting army mules-a rae
OF the Confederate cavalry leader Whlch
resulted in the immediate removal OF
Rosecrans. Forrest, with 4,5Q0 men un-
der him about Tupelo, Miss, found ~
600 cavalry in his front brought out
from Memphis. He telegraphed Gen.
Maury at Mobile that he stood no chance
against such host in the open field,
but If AIaury would consent he would go
behind them to Memphis and destroying
their stores there, compel them to re-
treat. The gallant Maury replied: GO,
but don't be gone long! Forrest LETT
1900 men to play upon the TANKS OF
Dodge's 10000. He took 5000, and, start
ing at gallop. kept his gait up. he
halted to build three bridges over sWol-
len streams on his line of march, but in
and at daylight the second day out rode
into the office of the Gayaso Hotel, Mem
phis. Dodge was upstairs asleep. For
rest got his uniform from his chamber.
Washburn remarked on the event that he
had been removed because he couldn't
keep Forrest out of Tennessee, but his
successor couldn't even keep him out of
his bedroom!
Col. Moseley's generalship in command
of 300tmounted men is the most wonder
full tale of the war Beauregards de-
fence of a long line of seacoast by land
forces only, the chief feature being Col.
Rhett's defence of Fort Sumter, has no
thing in the literature of war to rival II.
Joseph E. Johnston's generalship In or
dering Pemberton not to fall back into
Vicksburg after he had marched out to
fight Grant at Bakers Creek, but to
abandon the fortified position complete
ly surrounded by land and naval forces
of the enemy and move northward to
join him, was gcneralship indeed 1t re-
quired a moral courage that was sublime
to adopt such strategy In the face of the
terrible disappointment of the people at
home, the army and the President. we
see now how superb the genera1ship was.
The Secretary of War, politician, coun-
demanded the order of the commanding
general direct TO Pemberton, and we know
eminent and obtain slight clew to the
cause of our ultimate ruin.
/ do not find the statement in any bfoS-
raphy of the actors, but l am IN search,
and hope The Times will aid me, of the
truth in regard to an alleged proposal
made by General Lee to the President to
the effect that while he retreated before
Grant from the Wilderness toward the
James, the Government should abandon
d no 11hi of q
Ordnance Department, archives, ETC.,
ahead of him. That having been done
he would continue his retreat slowly,
weakening Grant as he forced him to
lengthen his line, and ultimately call
ing Gen. Joseph e. Johnston, then re-
treating before Sherman, into reach
the two united Confederate armies would
destroy both Grant and Sherman. This
is profoundly important inquiry into
the military ability of Gen. Lee: lie must
have known In advance that an attempt
to defend Richmond as late as the winter
of 1SG4-'G5 was a military solecism. The
effort was out of date and hopeless Lee
certainly approved the generalShlp OF
Johnston in his Georgia campaign.
Why could he not see that campaign
of almost Identical conditions had been
forced on him? If he was compelled to
fail back from the Wilderness to Pe-
itless resources at a moments command,
while every man who fell out of his own
ranks was gone forever and none to be
found in his place. If the retreat from
the Wilderness to Petersburg was mill
tary necessity, what were the changed
conditions to arrest at Petersburg the
policy of retreat and pursuit OF the same
two armies? Did not Gen. Lee see that
the defense of Petersburg for few
months must terminate In the destruc-
ton of his army? Did he not suggest to
the Government n true military avoid
ance Of such a catastrophe by pursuing
with the army of Northern Virginia the
same general strategy that Gen. john
ston adopted with the army of the Ten
nessee? put the plain question to Vice
President Stephens, while he was de-
Tending Petersburg in view of Johnstons
retreat before Sherman, namely, WHO
of our generals is the greatest in your
eyes?" The reply came promptly: Il
am decidedly of the opinion that Cen
eral Joseph Johnston has the clearest
understanding of any Of the military
policy necessary to final success. In
this prefer him." I have always re-
GREETED that opinion of Mr. Stephens be-
cause have never been content to be-
lieve that the defence Of Petersburg was
the lship of Lee as feature OF his
strategy.
When we come to institute parallels
between the generals of our armies
one in Virginia and the other in the more
Southern States-we encounter the re-
sistance of President Davis or his gov
eminent to all. That feature of our his
tory is, for sentimental reasons, thus far
suppressed. Gen. Lees greatness is APP
parent in the fact that whatever his
grievance he never permitted the civil
government to become opcnlyat war with
him. The two Johnstons. Beauregard,
Hardie. Forrest, etc, and nearly all the
civil leaders. Stephens, Toombs, Yancey.
Wigfall. Rhett, etc. were far from terms
of peace with the President or with the
War Department.
JOHN 'WITHERSPOON DU BOSE.
Wetumpka, Ala.