The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-23


stead. congratulate you on the victory
which is due to your skill and energy
jackson said when this was read to him;
Better that ten Jacksons should fall than
one Lee" Afterward. when II was reported
that jackson was doing well, General Lee
playfully sent him word: you are better
on than am, for, while you have only lost
your left. have lost my right arm. Then,
hearing that jackson was worse, Lee said:
Tell him that am praying for him as be-
heve have never prayed for myself To
one OF his officers after Jaokson's death,
Lee said: Il had such implicit confidence
In Jaokson's skill and energy that ] never
troubled to give him detailed instructions.
The most general suggestions were all that
he needed" The trust was reciprocated.
jackson said OF Lee, when 1t was inttnated
by some persons at the time when the latter
took command of the Army Of Northern
Virginia, that he was slow; He 10 cautious.
He ought to be. But he 10 not slow. Lee
Ia q phenomenon. He 10 the only man
whom could follow blndfold.'
Writing to his wife from near Hagers-
town. Nd. on July IL. 1858. Leo said: 'You
will learn before this reaches you that our
success at Gettysburg was not so great as
reported-in fact, that we failed to drive
the enemy from his position, and that our
army withdrew to the Potomac. Had
the river not Unexpectedly risen. all would
have been we'll with US; but God In his all
wise providence wiled otherwise, and our
communications have been interrupted,
and almost out off," In 1858, In letter
addressed by Lee to Major W. M. Mcdonald
OF Clarke county, Va. who had requested
some information, appeared the following
reference to tho great action on which
the fate Of the Confederaoy hung: AS to
the battle OF Gettysburg, ! must again
refer you to the Official account. It's loss
was ocoasioned by combination Of circum-
stances. It was commenced In the alb
senoe of correct intelligence. It was con-
tinued In the effort to overcome the diff
culties by which we were surrounded, and
it would have been gained could one de-
termined and united blow have been de-
livered by our whole line. As it was, victory
trembled In the balance for three days.
and the battle resulted in the infection OF
as great an amount Of injury as was re-
oeived. and In frustrating the Federal
campaign for the season.
Writing to the Quartermaster General
at Richmond, In October. 1858, after his
movement around Gen. Meade's right to
Manassas, Leo notes how he was ham
pered In his movements by the deficiencies
existing in the quarternaster' and COM
missary departments. "The want" he
said. of supplies Of shoes, clothing and
blankets is very great. Nothing but my
unwillingness to expose the men to the
hardships that would have resulted from
moving them into Loudoun In their present
condition induced me to return to the Kappa
hammock. But was averse to marching
them over the rough roads OF that region,
at q season, too when frosts are certain and
SHOWS probable, unless they were better
provided to encounter them without suffer-
ing. should otherwise have endeavored
to detain Cen. Meade near the Potomac,
II I could not throw him TO the north side.
In another letter Of Lees Of the same period
to the Confederate Secretary Of War. we
read: II Gen. Meade Ii disposed to remain
quiet where he La, 1t was my intention,
provided the army could be supplied with
clothing, again to advance and threaten
his position. Nothing prevented my con-
tinuing in his front but the destitute con-
dition OF the men, thousands Of whom are
barefooted. greater number only par
TALLY shod and nearly all without over
coats, blankets or warm clothing. I think
the sublimest sight of the war was the
ohssrfulness and alacrity exhibited by this
army In the pursuit OF the enemy under
all the trials and privatons to which 1t
was exposed
Throughout the winter and early spring
OF 1884 every possible exertion was made
by Lee to increase the strength Of his army
and to improve Its efficiency. He knew
we'll that the enemy was getting together
an enormous force and that his vast re-
sources would be put forth to crush the
Confederates in the spring. His letters
Secretary Of War show how keenly alive
he was to the difficulties Of his position
Gen. Long bears witness, however. that
in none Of them does he show a symptom
OF despair, or breathe thought Of giving
I'D the contest. To the last he remained
full Of resources, energetic and defiant,
and ready to bear upon his shoulders the
whole burden Of the conduct Of the war;
The author Of this book does not attempt
to describe the campaign Of the Wilder
ness which has been thoroughly discussed
by representatives Of both sides. He saw
his father only once or twice to speak to him
during the thirty odd days which elapsed
between the battle OF the Wilderness and
the arrival Of the Union army before Pet
ersburg but he says "In common with
all Lees soldiers, felt that he was ever
near, that he could be entirely trusted
with the care Of US, that he would not fail
us, that it would all end we'll The feeling
OF trust that We had in him was simply
sublime When say We mean the men
Of my age and standing, officers and pri-
Yates alike. Older heads may have begun
to see the beginning Of the end,' when they
saw that slaughter and defeat did not deter
our enemy, but made him the more de-
termined In his hammering' process but
1t never occurred to me, and to thousands
and thousands like me, that there was any
occasion for uneasiness. We firmly be-
lieved that 'Marse Robert as his soldiers
lovingly called him, would bring us out Of
the trouble all right Our author adds
that, when the soldiers learned that Gen.
Lee was ill-confned for day or two to
his tent, at the time he was confronting
Gen. Grant on the North Anna-the ter
rible thought forced itself upon them
Suppose disease should disable him, even
for q time, or. worse. should take him for