The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-16

en- our men in confusion. and gave way
only along the small front OF GORDON
men as formed were standing on the
same general line of the enemy, whfch
extended unbroken on either side, max"
equally fatal. He saw and remedied
the situation INSTANTLY. Changing the
battle front of his brigade. by facing
his six are regiments o three s facing one way
and three the other, were back to back,
he was striking and driving the enc
my's exposed hanks IKE a hammer a,, on
tho situation developed No soldier
ever displayed higher genius or more
heroic qualities than did Gordon at
mists and fogs of the tangled woods,
amid the clamor of disaster and the
roar of victorious assault which had
ing down our lines, he struck instantly
with one brigade at a hostile corps to
gain time for the formation of the rest
OF his command and then having lifted
his men to an exaltation bordering on
Ifanaticism by his remonstrances to
Lee. who was ordered to the rear,
hurled his division. himself at the head
reversed the glory of the day. and saw
ed the Army of Northern Virginia. New
better adaptation Of plan TO time, place.
circumstances and means, or compre-
hension of the moral effects of attack:
than in the movement he advocated and
lied across the Shenandoah upon Sher-
idan's left on October 10th, 1854. No
commander ever displayed greater con-
fdence in himself and in HIS men than
did Gordon at Monocacy, when the cav
airy having attracted attention to his
dispositions while he was in the full
tide of a flank movement he found
superior numbers threatening his de-
structfon If he remained as he was, and
vet strongly posted above the stream
above. compelling him to attack them
fields studded with fences and shocks
OF hay, and make instant changes in
his plans, in the sight and under the
ceived and did What was best to do.
His rare faculty for handling and in
spring masses on the field and his lord
ers over all obstacles and drove Wal
lace back in defeat, though the Mon
acacy ran red with their blood, and a
wounded. Greater unseifishness and
higher moral courage to stake self, rep
utation, and command. on the hazard
Of the die for the good of his cause
has never been, than this young gem
by contrast with disasters through
which his corps had lately passed. pro-
posed to Lee, after both had agreed
that to stand still would be death, and
II would be only death If we fought
and failed" to find some weak point in
sault upon Ii in one last desperate ef-
fort. when the chances were as one to
five on the side OF defeat and that he
his name, IL he survived. with the mem
cries of a great disaster. His march
around Sheridan's army and assault up
flank attack he suggested and conIS
manded on the 9Th of May. in the will
derness. were. worthy counterparts of
nf la In
lwhelminE Hooker.
He had the sublime faith of Jackson,
the sound Judgment of Johnston, the
Isteadfastness Of Longstreet or Gle
burne. the genius of Forest. the bold
ness and dash of Stuart, the intensity
of Early or Davis, and was as unselfsh
swnyed Hearts of Soldiers.
No soldier who ever commanded Eng
lish- speaking troops, or led citizen sol
aesy OF ars Sny rs raGe k the better how to
upon the battle field. None excelled
him in feeling the pulse of the battle
or detecting the play of moral forces
woodsman, and took in as with the
glance of an eagles eye the advant-
ages OF position. His voice combined
the charm of flute with the clear
ness and volume of a trumpet. 1t was
worth the risk of battle to see him on
horseback. amid his troops. Major
Under Marse Robert" gives vivid pic
tues of Gordon in a charge: Gordon
was the most glorious and inspiring
ing a beautiful coal-black stallion, cap
tured at Winchester, that belonged to
ono Of the Federal generals in Milroy's
army-a majestic animal. whose neck
was clothed with thunder never saw
a horses neck so arched. his eye so
fierce: his nostril SO dilated. He fol-
lowed in a trot, close to the heels of
the battle line. his head right in among
the slanting barrels and bayonets, the
reins loose upon his neck, his rider
standing in his stirrups, bareheaded hat
III hand arms extended. and, in a voice
like a trumpet. exhorting his men" He
ALWAYS had crisp words to rouse the
aIdor of his men as his line moved into
faction. and If 1t was prudent to do so,
| he often told them what was intended
and what was expected of them. Some
o. his battle speeches were MASTER
pieces of emotion and oratory. No
leader of ancient or modern times has
excelled him in this respect. He was
not a raging. volcano in battle or time
| TO complain of his moods on the field
There was Just enough glow in acts
and speech to inspire confidence that
all was going well. while a battle look
Ibeamed on his face which spoke the
Joy of fight and unalterable purpose
tic conquer or die. 1t was almost i'm
or in the sound of his voice In battle
and then feel afraid. He knew what
ldetail and parts others could work out
better than himself. and was ALWAYS
ready to avail of such aid and to praise
it. He maintained discipline more by
love than by force. and yet on proper
ness. He thoroughly despfsed a COW.
ard and skulker. He seldom noticed
breaches of discipline, unless very
at the front. No skulker from the
ranks was ever slain by Gordon for
fleeing in battle; and yet most soldiers
had rather face a flaming battery than
incur his expostulation and scorn. His
relations with the officers and men I'M