The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-26


Sherman's army had been demoralized
by their course of life on the Southern
plantations. Those soldiers. when fight
ing between Dalton and Atlanta, could
not have been driven back repeatedly
by a fourth Of their number with a
loss SO utterly insignificant" Was it
Gen. Johnston's policy to retreat till
he had demoralized the enemy, and
demOraiized them by their course OF
life on Southern plantations? An easy
victory even at such cost would, in
deed, have been dearly bought.
do not wish to be understood as in
any manner questioning the courage of
this General. He would have led men
into action as gallantly as any soldier.
But leading men into action is one
thing, and ordering an army into battle
is another To issue an order of great
moment and simply to obey instruc-
| tons involve such different measures OF
| responsibility that a distinct degree Of
moral courage is requisite to fulfill eth
| Ell duty. Gen. Johnston has defended
himself by charging me with reckless
ness and exposure OF my troops to
useless butchery." / may therefore be
pardoned If I point out what consider
his main defects-the reason, in fact,
why his name is not coupled with a
single glorious victory in the annals of
our four years struggle. since it ia most
assuredly not because of lack OF per-
sona1 courage. 1t becomes necessary to
| express myself somewhat explicitly, in
order that no misrepresentation be en-
gendered.
Caution and boldness are the two pre-
dominant qualities which characterize
| all soldiers of MERIT mean the eau
| ton and boldness tempered by wisdom
which such men as Napoleon l., Lee,
Stonewall Jackson, Won MOltke and Sir
Garnet Wolseley have exhibited in so
high a degree. These soldiers have
! shown themselves gifted with that in
| tuition of the true warrior which rem
dered them bold in strategy, rapid in
| movement and determined in battle.
Observation has taught me that a COM
mander may acquire sufficient caution
acquire holiness. 1t is a gift from
Heaven. A soldier whose quality of
, caution far exceeds that Of boldness can
never be eminent in war. He cannot
overcome nature, and experience that
self-confidence requisite to order an
army into battle. If from pride or
wounded vanity he make the venture,
after long awaiting a more and more
| favorable opportunity, he will, as rule,
strike at the most unpropitiOus moment.
Herein lies the deficiency of Gen. john
| ston. He is man of courage and abil-
| fty and a fine organizer of an army for
| the field; but he lacks the bold genius
of Lee, and consequently will rarely. II
ever, see sufficient chances in his favor,
especially at the right time, to induce
him to risk battle. Seven Pines is, I
think, the only battle he attempted to
inaugurate during the war, although It
may be said that he commanded more
| men than any other Confederate Off
| Ger. In this instance he had received
| information that q small body of the
enemy had crossed the Chickahominy;
he attempted to crush it with his entire
force. and even then failed. He in
variably throws up Entertainments, for
| titles his line, and there remains in de-
| liberation upon the best means to de-
| feat the enemy without risking a gen.
eral engagement, when suddenly he
finds himself outflanked, and issues the
usual order for retreat.
| Defect in Division Commanders.
The same defect-want Of decision
| and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. itself emf
| nently in the lower grades of rank in
1 an army. Among 10 brave division
| commanders who, under orders, would
lead their troops anywhere and every
where, seldom will be found one who
in a position to act upon his own re-
sponsibility, will attack at a favorable
moment, especially when detached and
ordered to the rear Of the enemy. II
| the inquiry be made of any enterpris-
1 ing, self-reliant division commander
who has participated In many engage
ments as TO how often his request has
been granted when, heavily engaged
with superior numbers, he has called
upon his neighboring division COM
mander (whose troops were lying in
| active) to furnish him the assistance
Of brigade, he will reply that rarely
has succor been afforded. even in the
| most critical moment of battle. His
neighbor, albeit man who knows not
fear, was generally unwilling to act and
| give the necessary support without or
ders from his superior officer, because
of his acknowledgment OF caution and
| his deficiency in boldness-the counter
| balancing quality.
Again, few men are endowed with
| the capacity to execute such moves as
| those Of Stonewall Jackson at Second