The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-03-16


human nature is different in individual
cases
II remember asking General Hooker
one day during oar maTvh through
Georgia, said General Sicklcs, what
he considered the most enjoyable TO-
ment OF the war. Campaigning in
the enemys country, he replied.
General Hooker was remarkable
man, absolutely without fear and al
ways sclfcomposed. At the height
of battle, with shells bursting on every
side, he was at his best. The more
excitement and the greater the danger
the greater was his self possession.
He was one of those men you read
about who find enjoyment in battle.
lie was natural warrior. 10 the su-
prcmc moment Of danger and crisis he
saw clearer than any other time, and
never lost his hea d.
Custer was an ideal picturesque
soldier who apparently enjoyed dash
ing on the enemy regardless of consc-
IucEccs and capturing oolors and bat
tcrics. Sheridan was brave, impctu-
Gus and a great general Grant, be-
yond all question, had the qualities of
the gencralship that wins great battles
and the respect Of mankind. In my
opinion his Judgment was superior to
Sherman y"
General Stewart l.. Woodford, for
mcr Minister to Spain: 81 cannot
understand how any thoughtful or
conscientious man can experience joy
in going to battle. Either he has no
idea of the vast suffering around him
or he is not conscientious. War at
best is only justifable homicide and
should never be undertaken except for
justifiable cause.
II remember we'll when l first went
under fire, and l must honestly say
there was no JOY about it. 1t was my
duty to be there and to do the best
could with my men, and l tried to do
my best. Of course after men get
into the thick of fight and their pas
sions are excited the sense of fear
passes away, and comes physical exul-
tation as is the case among young men
at football or running race. Still, I
confess l do not understand how q
thoughtful man can rush joyously into
fight"
Another authority says the ancients
differ from modern people in their
fondness for warfare. This is shown
in the writings Of the historians aud
the songs Of the poets, from Homer to
Virgil. They went to war because it
was the fashion of the day. No man
could hold up his head in society and
claim recognition, without military
record, just as in certain sections Of
mountainous countries a bandit who
has not killed his score Of men is
driven out of influential circles and
neither the police nor the leader Of
fashion has any respect for him.
An eminent American general and
diplomat says that in his experience
he found the best fighters among the
half shy, modest men of intellectual
attainments and generally of business
interests, who ordinarily would volk
miles rather than participate in qusc-
rel. Yet when it came to fighting for
principle on field of battle neither
cavalry charges nor bursting shells
seemed to have any terror for them.
It is admitted that General Sheridan
was an exception to most military
men. General Grant repeatedly called
him the greatest general in the world,
and said that if an emergency came
his estimate would be found true.
During the famous Warren investiga-
:;on CT Governors Island regarding
the charges by Sheridan that General
Warren did not do his duty at the bat
tie of Five Forks leading Generals
were put on the stand to testify.
It was shown that General Warren,
q commander of infantry, should not
be compared with General Sheridan, q
dashing, natural leader Of cavalry.
Both were good men in their respec-
tive spheres, but their ideas and
methods Of fighting differed. To
blame him for his temperament would
be like disparaging a draft horse
because it could not keep up with
trotter.
Some Of the Confederate Generals
who testified at that investigation said
that General Sheridan, during that "a
nous battle, did not seem like a hu.
man being. Bareheaded, with face
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