The National tribune., 1906-04-26

correct, proves that the soldiers of Gen.
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 n 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
demoraliZed them by their course of
life on Southern plantations? An easy
victory even at such cost would, in
deed, have been dearly bought.
i 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-
tions involve such different measures of
responsibility that distinct degree of
moral courage is requisite to fulfill eth
eI 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 / point out what l 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 il is most
assuredly not because of lack of per-
Sonal 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 merritt 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
by receiving hard blows. but he cannot
acquire boldness. 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-coniidence requisite to order an
army into battle. If from pride or
wounded vanity he make the venture,
after long awaiting Il more and more
favorable opportunity, he will, as a rule,
strike at the most unpropitious moment.
Herein lies the deficiency of Gen. john
ston. He is a man of courage and abil-
ity and fine organizer of an army for
the field; but he lacks the bold genius
of Lee, and consequently will rarely, if
ever, see sufficient chances in his favor,
especially at the right time, to induce
him to risk battle. Seven Pines is, /
think, the only battle he attempted to
inaugurate during he war, although 1t
may be said that he commanded more
men than any other Confederate Off
Ger. In this instance he had received
information that n small body of the
enemy had crossed the Chickahominy:
he attempted to crush it with his entire
force, and even then failed. He in
yariably throws up intrenchments, for
tifies 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 outfianked, and issues the
usual order for retreat.