Part 45 (1/2)
HON. GEORGE W. RANDOLPH:
_Dear Sir_,--At the risk of seeming tedious, permit me to say that my impression that you were mistaken last night in your recollection of the extent to which Louis Napoleon used railroads in transporting his army into Sardinia is this morning confirmed by a gentleman who is a most experienced and well-informed railroad officer, and is also the most devoted student of geography and military history, with the most accurate and extraordinary memory for every detail, however minute, of battles and all other military operations that I have ever met with. He is positive in his recollection that not less than 100,000 and probably more, of that army were gradually concentrated at Toulon and sent thence by sea to Genoa, and the rest were during some weeks being concentrated at a little town on the confines of France and Italy, whence they were transferred, partly on foot and partly on a double-track railroad, into Sardinia. The capacity of a double-track railroad, adequately equipped like the European railroads, may be moderately computed at five times that of a single-track road like those of the Confederate States. For the sudden and rapid movement of a vanguard of an army, to hold in check an enemy till reinforced, or of a rear guard to cover a retreat, or of any other portion of an army which must move suddenly and rapidly, and for the transportation of ordnance, ammunition, commissary and other military supplies, railroads are available and invaluable to an army. And when these objects of prime necessity are attained, they can advantageously carry more troops according to the amount of the other transportation required, the distance, their force, and equipment, etc. But to rely on them as a means of transporting any large body of troops beside what is needed to supply and maintain them, is certainly a most dangerous delusion, and must inevitably result in the most grievous disappointments and fatal consequence.
Very respectfully and truly yours, etc.
P. V. DANIEL, JR.
P. S. As a railroad officer, interest would prompt me to advocate the opposite theory about this matter, for troops const.i.tute the most profitable, if not the only profitable, part of any transportation by railroads. But I cannot be less a citizen and patriot because I am a railroad officer.
”Good! good. The next, Jarrow.”
”Copy of resolutions declaring the sense of Congress.
”Whereas the United States are waging war against the Confederate States with the avowed purpose of compelling the latter to reunite with them under the same const.i.tution and government, and whereas the waging of war with such an object is in direct opposition to the sound Republican maxim that 'all government rests upon the consent of the governed' and can only tend to consolidation in the general government and the consequent destruction of the rights of the States, and whereas, this result being attained the two sections can only exist together in the relation of the oppressor and the oppressed, because of the great preponderance of power in the Northern section, coupled with dissimilarity of interest; and whereas we, the Representatives of the people of the Confederate States, in Congress a.s.sembled, may be presumed to know the sentiments of said people, having just been elected by them.
Therefore,
”Be it resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America that this Congress do solemnly declare and publish to the world that it is the unalterable determination of the people of the Confederate States, in humble reliance upon Almighty G.o.d, to suffer all the calamities of the most protracted war--”
”Just so. That will do for this packet. Now what have you there?”
”These are genuine soldiers' letters, sir--the usual thing--incidents of battle, wounds, messages, etc. They are all optimistic in tone, but for the rest tell no news. I have carefully opened, gone over, and reclosed them.”
”Good! good! Let Robinson, there, take a list of the names. Lieutenant Willis, you will see each of the men and tell them they must rewrite their letters. These were lost. Now, Jarrow.”
”These are the ones to the point, sir. I had two written this morning, one this afternoon. They are all properly addressed and signed, and dated from this bivouac. The first.”
MY DEAR FATHER,--A glorious victory yesterday! Little cost to us and Banks swept from the Valley. We are in high spirits, confident that the tide has turned and that the seat of war will be changed. Of late the army has grown like a rolling s...o...b..ll. Perhaps thirty thousand here--
An aide uttered a startled laugh. ”Pray be quiet, gentlemen,” said Jackson.
Thirty thousand here, and a large force nearer the mountains.
Recruits are coming in all the time; good, determined men. I truly feel that we are invincible. I write in haste, to get this in the bag we are sending to the nearest railway station. Dear love to all.
Aff'y your son,
JOHN SMITH.
”Good!” said Jackson. ”Always deceive, mystify, and mislead the enemy.
You may thereby save your Capital city. The next.”
”From one of Ashby's men, sir.”
MY DEAR SISTER,--We are now about thirty companies--every man from this region who owns or can beg, borrow, or steal a horse is coming in. I got at Staunton the plume for my hat you sent. It is beautifully long, black, and curling! Imagine me under it, riding through Maryland! Forty thousand of us, and the bands playing ”Dixie”! Old Jack may stand like a stone wall, but by the Lord, he moves like a thunderbolt! Best love. Your loving brother,
WILLIAM PATTERSON.
”Scratch out the oath, Jarrow. He is writing to a lady, nor should it be used to a man. The next.”
MY DEAR FITZHUGH,--Papers, reports, etc., will give you the details.
Suffice it, that we've had a lovely time. A minie drew some blood from me--not much, and spilt in a good cause. As you see, I am writing with my left hand--the other arm's in a sling. The army's in the highest spirits--South going North on a visit.