The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-05
BuLLER AND SHERMAN.
A Comparison Drawn between the
Tasks of the Two Generals.

Buffers task the relief OF Isadysmith and
the capture Of Pretoria. IS. in respect OF
some OF the conditions. much like the one
Sherman confronted when, In early May.
1854 he left this city with JohnstOn's
army OF nearly 1000 men IN front OF him.
his objective being Atlanta Shermans
route was through narrow valleys, across
rivers over foothills and mountains Bull
lers line Of march for a hundred miles
and more north of Colenso IS across the
Drakenshurg range, mountain chain not
unlike the Appalachian. Johnston first
faced about in strong position near Dai-
ton He was fianked by Shermans Tween
ty-third corps, Gen. Schofeld. and had
barely time to pull back his left column
and fight IL until his transportation could
be moved toward Kingston. The Confed-
crate general made no serious effort TO
again check his antagonist until he reach
ed Altoona There he was again fianked.
and the next halt he made was on ths
high slope OF Kennesaw and the foothills
extending OF to the west of that peak.
Sherman fought his enemy with two corps
and sent a third around TO the left, fore.
ing Johnston back TO Atlanta. Johnston
was too wise 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 ohstrue-
tons against a larger army.
Sherman's last strateEical move was In
front Of Atlanta. after Johnson was re-
lieved and Hood placed In command Of
the Confederate army. and IL has been held
by competent critics as the finest Ranking
movement OF the ciyil war. Some have
ranked this specimen az grand tactics as
quite the equal Of the best generaiship
displayed by Napoleon.
II Butler has men enough to keep ais
enemy busy. with strong division 10
a.. .els4s4 assI ssraf ont
sheridan's campaign Of the summer OF 1854
Assuming that Joubert fails back from
Iadysmlth. the British general viii have
the railway from Durham behind hiln
open. IL "a TO miles from Durham by rail
to Iaaysnith. That place Is well fortified.
an excellent sub-sase % supplies, Away
In the north by west lie Johannesburg ana
Pretoria. so miles by rail nearly sa 70
kruEers capital. as the crow Ties.
But Butler win not be the whole thing
IN the aggressive campaign. Kitchener ls
rapidly organizing big corps. made up OF
infantry. mounted troops, artillery aud .
brigade Of nRvas batteries. This force Is
being put into shape az Cape Town. Il
viii soon be on the trek 70 relieve MethueH,
who IS backed up 90 the orange river
near Hope Town. beseged by CronJc's
Prev state army This latter wing % the
Boor army must be strengthened or kitc8-
euer win have 81 hts own way and heaf
Butler 90 the Objective, Frem Colsgbeng
20 Pretoria 4 $40 miles The railroad 10
almost q hoe Inc. A dash on Blaemfon-
teln. the Free State capital would force
the abandonment o. the siege % Kimber-
ley ard % Mafeklng
To oppose the ccnyerElnE British col
umns starting from points separated ~
80 miles Of South African mountain ara
vside. ard moving 90 the meeting point.
Pretoria. ~ tive great railway lines. the
Hoers have proaably 5osp men ~ for duty.
The British now have about y uo In south
Africa cf IN transit, and ss,o19 On reserve
at Ald~rshot or IN more temporary home
CAMPS * u plain The campaign can have
but enc eul u tae British ere "a deter
mined as ever % prosecute the war 90 3
'aatisfActnry conclusion"
B.it u VIII take gfFne. u; f. no small un-
aerg&klug Sherman left his CAMS snath
of Chattanooga about Stay g. fIe f3rtaa
she Confeaerates hack 20 Auan1s By July
Is. and they ahann1onoi fho eity 80 Sep
tetuhsr /. after lunicsinr terrttse i1seea ard
DAMAGE. oa The federal fcFeas
Baler az Lads smith is nearly fauF lines
zs far fruu Pretoria aa sherman was from
Atlanta whsn ne started 30 nee, Jofinstoa
40 Dalton. and Kitchener wiu he almost
sfs tnnaa the distance frerl DaitUn fq A.
lau3a f he finally conctutrates rls army
on lire drawn eaat and west w4thia stYlk-
lng asRanre SCOTIA ~ orange river. --S,aas-
1AaEn.M Elules4