New-York tribune., 1909-05-09
> cAnglo-American Memories
tcopyrieht. 1909. by George ". snauey.1
WITH THE CIVIL WAR ARMIES.

had already been issued Unlike Mcdowell
Pope looked a better soldier than he was His
six weeks generalship on the Rappahannock
ended with the Second Bull Run, which there
no Billy Russell to describe in words
that blstered, yet were honest words-and with
ChaltiIly. The West suited Pope better than
the East and to the West he returned. But in
these SIX weeks he had made nothing but mis-
takes and achieved only defeats.
Personally, General Pope was pleasant to deal
with It was while he commanded the Army OF
Virginia that Stanton, or perhaps General Hal
leck, issued orders for the expulsion Of all cor
respondents from the armies in the field. Gen
eral Pope sent for me and told me of the order.
Impressed at that time with the sternness Of
War Office rule. I answered meekly that
supposed I must go. said Pope, This is not an
official interview. ! imagine you needn't so till
you get the order" A battle was thought to be
imminent: any respite was welcome. 1 thanked
him. went back to my tent. took what most
needed. and rode off to outpost, where had
a friend. The official notification may have
been sent 10 my tent, but never reached me-
And so il happened that 1 saw such fighting as
there was on the Rappahannock. and at the
Second Bull Run better called Manassas. In
teresting to a student of war; not inspirting to
a patriot. and not now to be described, even
in the briefest way. Ny only aim is to give the
war correspondents life in those days was Ike.
one incident I may note, an example Of
what may happen TO a general who neglects the
most elementary rules and precautions of war
AT tile end OF a days march, at sundown but
the heavens still light, General Pope bethought
himself that he should like to see what the coun-
try ahead Of him looked Ike. With his staff
and a bodyguard of some sixty sabres. he rode
up low hill with broad crest, open ground
about It for a hundred yards. and beyond that
in front a thick far spreading forest line. Gen
eral Pope and his staff disTnounted. The cav
airy we're ordered TO dismount and loosen their
saddle gfrths. Just as this operation had been
completed there came from the wood beyond the
open ground a rife volley- As We stood between
the sunset and the enemy were a pretty fair
target There was no time for orders. Every
body scrambled into his saddle as best he could,
and away went.
But The firing WOKE up the advance guard OF
our army, and they also began firing II soon
appeared that General Pope had unwittingly
passed outside his own lines, so that. as we RODE
away from the fire of the Rebels, we rode into
the fire Of our own troops. 1t was hot enough
but luckily did not last long. The hill partly
protected US from the sharpshooters in gray,
and our fire was snesced after a moment. But
the horses were well frightened. It was iTnpos-
sible TO pull up We scattered and the horses
went on for mile OF SO. I never before so
much respected the intelligence Of that animal.
There was nothing to do but sit down in the
saddle hut the horse never made a mistake at
fun speed over an unknown country, stin with
fences ard brooks. and nobody came 70 grief
nor, which seems more wonderful was anybody
hit by the bullets. good many remarks were
made which nit General Pope G W :