The National tribune., 1904-04-28
HIGH TIDE OF THE REBELLION.

n sweeps Northward with Mighty Powe
Great csvsTy Fight a at asstyaaMn s1anay ssstionn
Hooker Uncertatnty-Cross-Pur will
Wasnington..Hallec Interference-Hoo
Soldier Who Had crown Up with the Army
On the Eve of Gettysburg.
In the minds of that group of able and
sagacious men that at Richmond controlled!
the course of the mighty experiment of
war, there had early grown up a theory
of military conduct that was undoubtedly
the best adapted to the circumstances
and, indeed, is the only theory on which
a defensive war can be maintained with
any hope of success.
1t is now generally conceded that n
Power that either voluntarily or by COM
pulsion allows itself to be reduced to a
purely defensive attitude is certain to be
compelled, sooner or later, to succumb. On
the other hand. military history affords
many memorable illustrations of the mar
velous results that may be accomplished
by nations that. forced to the defensive
by the superiority of the assailant are
yet able at the oppOrtune moment to as
sumo the offensive, and inflict blows as
well as receive them. 1t was by acting en-
this principle that Frederick the Great, in
that everlasting model of defensive cam
paign, the Seven Years War, was able to
make head against the seemingly over
whelming combination brought against
him; and that Napoleon, in 1914, in that
Jther bright exemplar of the defense of q
country by boldly taking the offensive,
was able to confront the invading Allies
and at length make them pay so dearly for
the capture of his Capital
Such was the principle Of action early
adopted by the Confederate leaders; and
the course of this narrative has already
set forth the bold and successful manner
in which it was more than once carried
out. 1t was in accordance with this pol
Icy that Gen. Johnston. after falling back
from Yorktown to the front of Richmond.
turned upon Mcclellan astride the Chick.
ahominy. and dealt him blow which but
for accidental circumstances should have
terminated the campaign-a result that,
indeed, was accomplished. when Lee, con-
tInuing the conception of Johnston, seized
the initiative and hurled the Union army
back TO the James River. And it was in
following out the same line of action that
he was able. by threatening the tanks and
rear of Pope. to drive back that General
to the Notifications Of Washington. and
transfer the theater of war to the trans
Potomac region.
LEE FELT THAT HIS ARMY WAS THE sU-
PERIOR.
1t seemed that an opportunity for a new
and bolder offensive than had yet been at
tempted now presented itself. Twice the
Army of the Potomac had crossed the
Rappahannock, and on each occasion il
had been driven back in disaster. Fred
ericksburg and Charlottesville had raised
the morale of Lees army to the highest
pitch. While the experience of these bat
ties had inspired the Southern troops il
had given Gen. Lee himself sense OF
confidence and power he had not before
felt. And now to this fact of the mora
condition of the Confederate army. SO ia
vorable to bold enterprises. was added an
other incentive, in its condition of matera
ct nth hn -
force by the extensive administering OF
short-term troops1) was we'll known
and to this relative increase of Lees army
was now added positive increase by q
large force of conscripts. and a more i'm
portant reinforcement by the two divi
siOns of Longstreet's Corps, which, hav
Ing been operating south of James River
at the time of the battle of Chancellors
vile, were Immediately thereafter recalled
to take part in the meditated movement
II Hooker's force of infantry was at thi.
time reduced. as he declares, to an effec
tive OF $4,000 men,t2) there was now les
dispropOrtion between the twonrmies thar
generally obtained. for at the end of May
Lees force had reached an aggregate o
6S,OOO infantry and considerable bod,
OF cavalry.(3 The Confederate army had
moreover. been lately mobilized and in
creased in efficiency by it's reorganization
into three corps d'armee. under Gems
Longstreet, Hill, and Ewell-three able
energetic. and trusted lieutenants. In re
spect of transportation. equipment, an,
clothing though not in respect of supplies
the Southern force in Virginia was in bet
ter condition than at any previous time
And IL its cOmmiSsariat was deficient, tn
rich granaries of the North lay open-th
inviting spoils Of successful blow. (4)
LEE DETERMINED UPON CONQUEST.
Thus prompted, the Confederate leader
resolved uDOU movement that chouI,
not only have the effect of causing tn