New-York tribune., 1901-04-03
THE CIVIL WAR.
GENERAL KEIFER's REcoLLEcTIoNs.

liticai History of slavery I'm the United States;
battles OF The cy M War in WHICH a rr the KSihGr ifsq
eKef RooK MsioroSieneTal Of Volunteers, exspeaker
OF the House OF RepresentatiTss. =. 3 a. ana
iis;yrsteS In Two Volumes octave, pp xii 324:
tx, $50. G. r. Putnam's Sons
The historical account Of slavery in the United
States with which General Keifer's book opens |
is less important and interesting than the per-
sonsl narrative OF Civil War experiences which |
fills the succeeding chapters IL Is difhcut-to
say the least-to add materially 10 our knowl- |
edge of the growth Of slavery, and to the agita-
ton for its abolition; the historian can. at most
n,aoe a few of the facts in a new light or draw
new differences from them. General Keifer has
attenopted TO do neither the thing nor the
other-neither to add 10 the facts TO discuss
Them from novel points of view. He has con-
tented himself for the most part with the mere
statement Of the known facts presenting them
as raw material from which generalizations
NAV he formed" by the reader. The account of
the Civil War. which forms about three-fourths
of the book is Of a different character. II is.
as has been said, very largely a record OF per-
sonal experiences. written with intelligence and
revealing considerable acuteness OF observation,
and as such it has distinct historical value.
The part which General Keifer played in the
conflict though not conspicuous was highly
creditable He enlisted. on the first call for
volunteers as a private; elected and COM
rnissioned major of the Sd Ohio Volunteer In
fantry in April. 1861; served under Mcclellan.
and later in West Virginia: took part in the
campaigns Of the Western armies; won distinc-
ton as a division commander under Sheridan
sn the Shenandoah Valley, and fought valiantly
before Petersburg and in the closing battles OF
the war. Service so continuous and so varied
furnished abundant opportunities for the study
slna Io- v-rpd ham n
good account these volumes show. They abound
in interesting details and in comments that are
often penetrating and almost always just.
General Keifer naturally devotes considerable
space the first battle in which he was en-
gagged, that Of Rich Mountain, and his account
OF ii viii be read with interest. In itself the
affair was OF small importance, but the little
campaign had one momentous resut-the pro
motion of Mcclellan TO the command of the
Army OF the Potomac. The Union success in
the battle such as it was. General Keifer at
tributes entirely to Rosecrans. Mcclellan was
little than an inactive spectator OF the
affair; in fact he was so far away from the
scene of the action. and had completely lost
track of Rosecrans's movements that although
he could plainly hear battle raging, he did
not learn its successful result until fifteen hours
after il had ceased" He was not slow, how
ever, in claiming credit for the victory. and no
doubt felt that the extraordinary reward Inal
came 20 him as a result of it entirely de-
served 1t throws flood Of light upon the
mental makeup of the man. that although he
had actually led no troops in battle. he could,
on July 21 write TO his wife that he did not
feel sure that the men would fight very well
under any but himself" General Keifers
own opinion Of him is expressed in no uncertain
\ terms IN dismssng him from this narrative"
[J he says. Il desire 10 say that I wrote TO
friend in July. 1861. opinion TO the
pacity and character Of Mcclellan as a military
leader which ] have not since felt called upon
10 revise. and which isl one generally
accepted by the thoughtful men of this country.
Mcclellan was kind and generous, but weak.
and inordnately vain that he thought IL
necessary TO accept the judgment OF men OF
higher attainments and stronger character.
Even now strong men shudder when they recall
the fact that George B. Mcclellan apparently
had, for time. in his keeping the destiny Of
the republic" Upon Rosecrans he passes diff
ferent Judgment. Notwithstanding some mis-
takes" he says. his character a great SOL
der and commanding general will stand the
severe scrutiny Of military critics. He a
man OF many attainments, a fine conversation
alist. and a genial gentleman who drew 10 him
many devoted friends"
OF the later events Of which General Keifer
writes as a participant. the most important was
the battle of Cedar Creek He commanded the
third division and TO him belongs very
siderable share OF the credit of keeping the
Union Army in fighting condition up the hour
OF Sheridan's arrival. His division was fercely
engaged all the morning, but time
driven by the enemy. 'Au changes Of position"
he says were made under my orders and after
the enemy had been repulsed in his direct at
tacks." Other parts Of the army were less
cessful in their defence; the several divisions
were more or less isolated and a great deal Of
ground was lost: but General Keifers account
OF this early stage of the battle does not present
a picture Of Generalization When Sheridan
arrived upon the scene, he says he ap
palled by the sight Of some demoralized SOL
diers, camp followers and baggage and suter
wagons in great confusion. hurrying to the
rear" But, he adds, such scene, in greater or
less degree. may usually be witnessed in the
rear OF any great army IN battle. The common
false reports of the army being all overwhelmed
and in retreat proclaimed by these flying
men as justification of their own dsgraceful
conduct. Sheridan, Notwithstanding his
perience as soldier impressed with the
belief that his whole army was defeated and in
retreat He formed, while riding through these
people. erroneous impressions OF what had taken
place in the morning battle which were never
removed from his mind. The steady roar of
guns and rattle OF musketry should have told
him that some organized forces were at least
barring their breasts bravely TO the enemy, and
standing food for shot and shell In one
rather important particular. he corrects the ac-
count Of the situation given by Sheridan in his
Memoirs" The latter says that returning