The National tribune., 1906-06-21

US to inflict such punishments, except
for enormous offenses against the law
| Of Nations" (Vattel, B. III. Chap. 3,
Sec. 173. Incorporated by Halleek.
Laws OF War, Chap. 10, Sec. 24.)
When Gen. Lee entered Pennsylvania
with his army. he gave strict orders %
destroy no property, and to pay for all
provisions obtained from the enemy.
Marshal SOult was likewise magnani-
nous in his conduct. after he had been
not only compelled to storm the de-
lenses OF Oporto, but to fight from
a surrender. Napier states that, the
French found some OF their comrades
who had been taken prisoners, "fasten-
ed upright and living. but with their
eyes burst, their tongues torn out and
| their other members mutilated and
gashed." This CHASTITY sight notwith-
standing, many Of the French soldiers
and officers endeavored, at the risk of
| their lives, to check the vengeance of
their comrades. Soult did not, even
after this fearful resistance and these
examples Of barDarOus cruelty, send off
the women and children, the in
firm and the sick and then burn
their homes; on the contrary (Na-
pier, Peninsular War, B. vi, Chaps.
4 and -. recovering and restoring a
part OF the pfunder. he caused the in
habitants remaining in town to be treat
ed with respect; he invited. by procla-
nation. all those who had fed to re-
turn. and he demanded no contribution;
but restraining with a firm hand the
violence OF his men, he cOntrived. from
| the captured public property, to sup
port the army, and even to succor the
| poorest and most distressed Of the popu-
| lation."
Although 1t Is customary. previous to
| a general assault of a fortified town OF
4 III
| been rejected, that the commanding Off
Ger give warning Con account of the
extraordinary sacrifice Of life to which
his troops must necessarily be subject,
| ed that he will not be responsible for
| the lives of the captured. as did Lieut.
| Gen. Lee<fn my name at Resaca no Off
Ger should allow his soldiers to burn
and piifage after victory has been Sc
| cured.
/ After Atlanta WHAT
1 After the fall of Atlanta this mos,
serious question presented itself for So
luton: In what manner, and accompa-
i MED with the least detriment to effect
i the riddance of q victorious foe, VIII,
| had gained possession OF the mountains
/ in our front. and planted his standard
In the heart of the Confederacy In
order to compass this end either the
! Federals should be. forced back b,
II
1 defeated in battle and finally driver
northward. or an attempt be made tC
/ defeat them upon their march forward
after Sherman had been allowed full
time to rest his troops, make prepare
i tons and receive reinforcements, for
in the meantime. 1t would have beer
rashness and folly. In view of our in.
ferior numbers. to have attacked the
enemy whilst under the protection OF
the breastworks of Atlanta. This grave
and momentous question presented the
same difficulties which had risen before
Gen. Lee when Grant crossed the Rap
pahannOck, and the battles OF the vii.
derness, SpOtsylvania Court House
and, finally, the surrender at Appomat
tox followed. Our great chieftain we!
knew that he would be forced to aban.
don Richmond or surrender his army
unless he beat his enemy in battle, ant
drove him back. as he had done In
previous instances. So paramount die
he consider this necessity that he Gu
roads through the Wilderness, in order
TO get at the Federals while his owI
army was in best condition for battle
He possessed. for the execution Of nis
purpose. body OF troops which ha(
been trained and handled in such q
manner as to render 1t impossible e
find its superior in the history OF Ma.
tons Moreover. he was not confronted
0y a victorious army, but by one he had
driven back more than once from the
same line then occupied by Grant.
The difficulties which surrounded me
even at the outset. when I assumed
command OF the Army OF Tennessee
and after the fall OF Atlanta, when e
recurrence OF retreat was brought about
with Its train OF former evils. were more
nernaaxanx than those which beset Gen