The National tribune., 1901-11-28

GEN. JOHN h. MORGAN, THE +
following the Southron from the Cum
berland, a long and devious way, until
victory complete perehed upon the Federal
standard and disastrous, overwhelming
defeat was the fate Of the aGventuresome
cavaliers from Dixie, marching north OF
La Belle Riviere, greeting the sons of the
morning with a strange new flag
Before the bugle sounds marching or
ders" perhaps it viii be well to note the
PERSONNEL AND CHARACTERISTICS
of Morgan and his men, bold, rough
riders from the Southland. | can best do
this by quoting the language Of Gen.
Basil w Duke, than whom there is no
better authority, he being Gen. Morgan's
brother-in-law and second in command:
while ciTcumspeet and neglectful of
10 prseaution 10 insure success or avert
disaster, Gen. Morgan was extremely bold
in thought and action UsIng every
means 10 obtain extensive and accurate
information, attempting no enterprise Of
Importance without il, and careful in the
consideration Of every contingency, he was
yet maryelonsly quick to combine and to
resolve, and so rapid and sudden in exc
cGtiou, as frequently to confOund both
friends and enemies; and, shove, all, once
convinced lac never hesitated TO act, back
ing his Judgment against every hazard,
and with every resource at his command.
s'Whatever merit be allowed or denied
Gen. Morgan, be is beyond all question
entitled to the credit Of having discovered
uses for cavalry, or rather mounted in
fantry, to which that arm had never be
fore been applied. While other cavalry
officers were adhering 20 the traditions Of
former wars, and the systems OF the
schools, however inapplieable to the de-
nands of their day and the nature of the
struggle, he originated and perfected, not
only a system Of tactics, method Of fight
ing, and handling men IN the presence OF
the enemy, but also a strategy as effect
i've as if was novel. An imitator in moth
ing, self-taugbt IN all that he knew and
did, his success was not more marked
than his genius.
''rhe creator and organizer OF his own
little army--a force that at no time
reached 4,000-the author Of the far
reaching raid SO different from the mere
cavalry dash, he accomplished with his
handful OF men results which would 9th
erwise have required armies aud the cost
ly preparations of regular and extensive
campaigns.
HE did not seem to reason like other
men; at least, no one could discover the
logical process, if there was one, by
which his conclusions were reached. His
mind worked most accurately when il
worked most rapidly, and sight or sound
We're scarcely SO swift as were its opera
tions in an emergency. This peculiar
faculty and habit OF thought enabled him
to plan with a rapidity almost iHconceiva-
BILE Apparently his combinations were
instantaneousiy commenced and perfected
and, If provided with the necessary in
formation, he matbred an enterprise al.
most rs soon as he conceived it. His
language and manner were often very ex.
pressiAe OF this peculiar constitution OF
mind. In consultation with those whom
he admitted 10 his confidence ne never
cared to hear arguments; he would listen
only to opinions. In stating his plans hs
entered into 40 explanations. and hrs ex
pressions Of lis views and declaration oil
his purposes sounded ike predictions. Al
such times his speech would become hur
ried ard vehement. and his manner ex
cited hut remarkably expressive Advice
volunteered, even by those he nlost iiket
and relied on. was never wen received
and when he asked counsel OF them n,
required that ii should be concise aBt
definite, and resent d hesitation or eva
sion.
without being, ia iae ordinary sens'
OF the term an exe client Judge uf char
acter. he possessed. III a greater degrel
than any Of his military associates, thi
faculty Of judging how various circum
stances would effect other men. and o
anticipating in all contingencies fhei
thoughts and action. He eoali certainly
with more accuracy than others, divini
the plans aud wishes of an enemy, Thi
was universally remarked. and he exhib
u>ited IL, not only in correctly surmisinI
intentions OF his own iirInediate an
lists, but also IN the opinions whirl
e regarding the moFeiaents of th'
&ruies. lie sought ali the infor
which could, however remotely