The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-02-02
THE WAR OF 1872.
Until Jackson's Great Victory American
Reverses Were the Rule.

To the Editor Of the Sun-Sir: I'm letters
to the sun recently on the subject OF the
war of 1912, many points of interest have
been raised which will be much talked
about when tho hundredth anniversaryo Of
the war is celebrated.
1t does not matter greatly what the war
was about, what. the results were, or any
thing else now, but those who are inter-
esCed in history will lie able. to get some
accurate information and to correct some
popular misconceptions concerning the con-
| fict by reading The Military Policy of
the United States" compiled by the late
general Emory Upton and left by him AS
"a legacy to his country" and published
by the War Department of the United
States at the request OF General W.. L.
Sherman, who read and approved it."
The accuracy of the statements made in
it cannot therefore be impugned. l con-
dense a few of them:
1912. When wal was declared June 49,
the total Of the British troops in Canada
was less than $500 electives, mainly old
men and invalids. The Uuited States re-
gular army, numbering on paper $4,000.
was actually but GA strong. In July Cen
eral Hull crossed from Detroit to Canada
with 1900 men. Without inflict'ng any
damage he suddenly retreated to Detroit,
where August 16) he was besleged, and
without firing q shot he surrendered his
entire force to the British, numbering 1920
including 600 indians.
On October 10 1000 Kentucky mounted
militia who had marched against Indians
on the Wabash became scared by a prairie
fire, abandoned their General and diSpers-
ed to their homes.
November 2S General Smyth, having
raised $500 militia for a month, started
to invade Canada, but returned the same
afternoon. On December he crossed again
went q quarter of a mile and returned.
His army then disappeared.
General Dearborn assembled another
invading army Of 5,737 men to capture
Montreal, advanced as far as Lacolle River.
captured a blockhouse, and then w:nt into
winter quarters. Nearly all the militia
refused to cross the line.
During the year 5S,1S7 United States
troops, including $4,000 regulars, accom-
plished nothing against 5000 British.
1913. At Fort Meigs, where 1900 Ken
lucky militia were sent to the support OF
General Harrison, the whole Of them were
routed, only $50 escaping.
May 81. At the successful rcpulse OF the
British at Sacketts Harbor the United
States militia ran away after firing one
volley.
At General Wilkinson's attack on Mon
trcal $4,000 United States troops, includ-
ing 5000 recruits, were beaten back by
1900 British.
Writing on January 12in regard to the
destruction Of Buffalo by the British, Gen
eral Cass said; Il am satisfied that not
more than $50 men landed at Black Rock
TO oppose these we had from $500 to 5000
TO 5000 militia. All pXcepta few Of them
behaved in the most cowardly manner.
They fled without discharging a musket."
1914. During this year we called out
38,lSG regulars. 1877, 653 militia, u total OF
235, 1899. against 1880 British. The utmost
strength We could show in the shape Of al
effective force i'm battle wa 3.000a at Lundy's
Lane.
1915. General Jackson's victory at New
Orleans, largely due to The wonderful
craftsmanship Of his Kentucky and Ten,
nessce troops. wound up a disastrous and
humiltating war ina blaze OF glory"
A great many-crrOneouS ideas exist in
regard to American success in the war
fare on land during the war of 1912. A
great majority Of the people of this coun-
try who have been educated in American
schools are thoroughly of the opinion that
this war was on land and sea a screS OF
magnificent victories won by inexperienc-
ed American citizen soldiers against sup
erior forces of veteran British regulare.
The nlain, unvarniShcd truth is that the
campaigns on land were with very few ex-
ceptions a series Of humiliating disasters
for the United States.
The Capital at Washington was taken
and sacked, and this country was com
PEELED to sue for peace and to accept it in
a treaty in which our righteous grievance
for which we had taken up arms Was not
even mentioned. Nerophlagia.
Seneca Falls, December 10th.