The National tribune., 1901-11-28


weakened, when he would strike like light
ming.
Gen Morgan was
BETTER sTRATEGIsr THAN TAcTIcIAE.
He exeelled in the arts which enable a
commander to make successful campaigns
and gain advantages without much fight
ing, rather than in skillful manuyering
in the field.
"The tactics he preferred, when he
chose to light, were attempts at surprise
ard a concentration Of his strength for
headlong dashing attacks. To this latter
method there were some objections. These
attacks were made with yig0r, and IN
spired in the men 4 reckless enthusiasm
which generally made them successful;
but il the enemy was too strong, or, hold
ing defensible positions, was Tesolute and
stubborn in resistance, and the iirst two
OF three charges failed to Griye them, the
attack was apt to fail altogether, and the
reaction was corresP ondent to the energy
Of the onset.
He did not display so much ability
when operating Immediately with the
army, as when upon detached service.
lie would not hesitate to remain for days
closely confronting the main forces Of the
enemy, keeping his videts constantly IN
sight OF cantonments, observing every
movement and attacking every detach-
ment and foraging pa ty which he could
reasonably expect to defeat. But when
a grand advance OF the enemy was com
menced he preferred making timely
and long retreat, followed by a dash in
some quarter where he was not expected,
rather than stubbornly contest their pro
gress. He could actively and efficiently
harrass retreating army, multiplying
and continuing his assaults until ne
seemed ubiquitous; but he was not equally
efficient in covering a retreat or retard-
ing an advance in force.
although by no means a caDricious
or inconsistent man, for he entertained
profound convictions and adhered to Opin-
ions with a tenacity that often amounted
to prejudice, he frequently acted very
much like one, those who knew him best
not being able TO calculate how unusual
occurrences would affect him, or induce
him to act.
"It frequently happened that men for
whose understanding and character he
had little respect, but who were much
about his person, obtained certain sort
of influence with him, but they could keep
it only by a complete acquiescence to his
will when il became aroused lie some
times permitted and even encouraged sug-
gestions from all around him, listening to
the most contradictory opinions with an
air Of thorough acquiescence to all. On
such occasions ii was impossible to de-
teJmine whether this was done to Halter
the speakers, to mislead as TO his real in
tention, or if he was in fact undecided.
"In his Judgment Of the men with
whom he had to deal he showed strange
mixture of shrewdness and simplicity. He
seldom failed to discern and to take ad-
vantage of the ruling characteristics OF
those who approached him, and he could
| subsidize the knowledge and talents OF
/ other men with rare skill. He knew eX-
/ actly how 70 appeal to the feelings of his
men, to excite their enthusiasm, and slim
ulate them 10 dare any danger and en-
dure any fatigue and hardship"
However, Gen. Morgan sometimes
| committed
GRAVE ERRORS
in his estimation OF Individual character.
He more than once imposed implicit con-
| fdence in men whom no one else would
/ have trusted, and suffered himself to be
| deceived by the shallowest imposters. He
! obtained credit for profound insight into
| character by his possession of another and
very different quality. The unbounded in
ilUence he at once acquired over alIiiJst
everyone who approached him, enabled
him to make men do the most nnehar-
acteristic things and created the impress
sion that he had discovered traits OF
| character hidden from others.
Gen. Morgan's kindness and easiness
Of disposition rendered it impossible fol
him to say or do unpleasant things, un-
less when under the influence of strong
prejudice or resentment. This tempera.
ment made him a too
LAX DIsCIPLISARIAE.
and caused him frequently to be imposed
upon.
Gen Morgan's personal appearane,
was striking and graceful His features
! were eminently handsome and adapted to
the most pleasing expressions. On foot OF
on horseback his figure was superb. He
was exactly six feet in hight and weighed
1S5 pounds. His perfect form was rare
combination of strength, activity and
grace. His constitution seemed imperyiou.
to the effects OF privation and exposure,
and ii was scarcely possible TO perceive
that he suffered from fatigue or lack Of
sleep. After marching for days and nights
without intermission, until the hardest
men in his division were exhausted.
have known him, as soon as halt was
| called, and he could safely leave his com.
mand, TO ride 50 miles to see his wife"
The bold riders OF the Border-land
| Federal and Confederate, and the West
ern infantry armies as well, will leave 10
their children many story of the andac.
ity and willy skill of Morgan, the famous
cayairyman.
/ 5usl peioIt ben- morgan started oil
what is popularIy known as the '.Ohic
Raid" the
MILITARY SITUATION,
June 10. 1868. was as follows:
Bragg's army was at Tnllahema, Nor
gan guarding the right front in NORTH
Central Tennessee, his regiments being ri
Alexandria, on the Lebanon pike, at Au.
burn, on the road TO Murfreesboro, and
between Auburn and S.atesyille, one regi
ment being stationed at the latter place
about midway between Auburn and Alex
andrie, headquarters respectively of the
two brigades composing Morganss Divi
sion, which, perhaps, had never before
been in as high . state OF discipline a