New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-09
General Lees Strategy
Blu Vernon Radcliffe

ter. for by quick and prompt action any gwen
unit could be overtaken and destroyed. nov
ever, as soon as Mcclellan maze ms htS'
move into Virginia Lee knew he nad pos
session of the plans; intuition told MIN ''a'
Mcclellan would not otherwise have attempt
ed the move Did Lee retreat-that IS u"-
dertake a purely defensive man9uvre, sure
ly justified by the situation? instantly ne
attacked-with what divisions he could as
semble. The surprise of Mcclellan was such
as to result in Lees victory at Antletan,'
victory which saved the army OF Northern
Virginia, thereby given time to reassempie'
1.-THE interesting fact about the battle OF
Bull Run has dropped out of history; II was
that Lee was particularly anxious TO Win
against General Winfield Scott, then IN SUI
preme command of the Union forces scout
had been Lees commander in the Mexican
War. and my general knew exactly what
Scott's strategy would attempt-an attack
on Richmond from three directions. And so
il proved. Scott began to move on Richmond
from Washington, through the Shenandoah
Valley. and through West Virginia. And
here we have illustration of the nam
feature of Lees characteristic defensive
offensive-a quick thrust by concentration OF
two armies upon one.
Mystery OF the tUeNpeNiSu
"From Washington to Richmond ran the
Orange & Alexandria NOW Southern Kali
way Lee chose 10 meet Scott at point
where another railway branched-the Ma
nassa Gap, running to Staunton. 1t was my
privilege TO ride with the party wnen the
battle site was chosen. Lees general,
Beauregard, was TO be opposed to Scott
general, Mcdowell. Scott doubtless eX-
pected a decision between Mcdowell and
Reaureeard on this Washington Richmond
line. and another between Patterson and Joe
Johnston on the Shenandoah Richmond line,
10 saw nothing of a third in West Virginia,
all of which would have made an orderly OPP
position much like that in the present war
I'm 10 now. But here is where Lees peculiar
tactics entered. Joe Johnston cluded Patter-
son in the Shenandoah by means of the Ma
nassa Gap Railway; indeed, his whole army
switched over suddenly 10 the support OF
Beauregard, thus forming double army
which surprised and overwhelmed Mac
dowell-Lee's mastery of the unexpected.
The full defensive offensive-to press imme-
diately upon Washington and along the Sus-
auehanna-was not completed because OF
President Davis's accession TO command.
Davis overruled invasion of the enemy S
territory, believing the war defensve-'of
our homes and states
IF know my old commander, his tactics
in the present war would be characterized
bv this sudden concentration OF armies for
some specific objective. There would be
brilliant unexpected advance. The most like
ly would be an Italian offensive against Aus
tria. Reinforced? Who knows"
The hvge Salonica army has been for a
long time inactive, though still maintained,
while the Italians have begun an advance.
The key to the general future may wei be
Lee. Particular interest attaches to Captain
Pages prophecy because the Confederate
Veterans are now converting for the first
time in history at Washington, with an ad-
dress by President Wilson. All honor to
Lees comrades! All honor to Captain VIII
Page, sole survivor Of his personal body
guard-scouts. guides, couriers, 39th Cavalry,
Army of Northern Virginia