324 Southern Historical Society Papers.
soil. Our American transactions have been on so great a scale; we have produced so many great captains, that we often fail to realize the magnitude of our accomplishments and the greatness of our home-bred heroes. How great a figure would they fill in the world's eye, if they were celebrated as the older nations have celebrated theirs with titles and estates, and with artistic and literary monuments ? Wellington's generals in the Peninsula did real fighting. They would furnish the nearest resemblance to our own; but time forbids that I pursue the parallel with other English generals, and I leave you to pursue it for yourselves, confident that you will tarry a long time with Marlborough and Wellington, and will stand puzzled to answer my question, "Who next?" None, I will confidently say, that you will be willing to rank above Jubal A. Early.
SECOND TO LEE AND JACKSON.
I have said, and I have heard it said by one of the best officers that served under Early, that amongst our Confederate army com- manders he was second only to Lee and Jackson. And who I pray you, may dispute that precedence? We could not say Albert Sid- ney Johnston, for he never fought a single battle from start to finish; he fell at Shiloh delivering a well-conceived and brave attack; and victory passed from the field with his fall. He lived a glorious hope; he died a glorious martyr; he lives yet a glorious memory, but the deeds he might have done are not.
On the same principle, and for reasons, though in far less degree, we could not say, Joseph E. Johnston or Beauregard.
They divided honors in our first glorious victory at Manassas, and are entitled to the highest distinction therefor, Johnston manoeuv- red well at Yorktown, struck McClellan a parting blow with fine address at Williamsburg, and then, like Albert Sidney Johnston, at Shiloh, fell wounded, as he was pressing the enemy at Seven Pines, when opportunity vanished. For two years he was not again in battle; until 1864, when he took command of a defeated army at Dalton, and conducted a masterly retreat to Atlanta, fighting as he fell back at Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, and Kennesaw, and indeed, all along the way, with courage, skill, and effect. Unfortu- nately removed from the command, ere his plans matured, there was no chance to judge them by the event; and when he returned to a broken but undismayed army, and led it in its last gallant fight, at Bentonville, it was only the prelude of surrender.
