File:Leading American soldiers (1907) (14598063520).jpg

Identifier: leadingamericanso00john (find matches)
Title: Leading American soldiers
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Johnston, R. M. (Robert Matteson), 1867-1920
Subjects: United States. Army Generals -- United States
Publisher: London : Archibald Constable
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
at flank movement designed to throwsome 60,000 men over 10 miles west of Fredericksburgand beyond the extreme left of the Confederates. Theother half of the army, of about equal numbers, was tomarch on Lees position behind Fredericksburg; the twowings were to press the Confederates as opportunity offeredwith a view to effecting a junction ultimately. As each ofHookers wings was approximately equal to the whole ofLees army, it was to be presumed that at one point or anotherthey would meet with slight resistance and so draw togetheruntil the enemy was finally crushed between them. Thiswas much better strategy than Brunsides; but in the carry-ing out it was found that Hookers courage in practice wasnot equal to his skill in theory. By midday of the 30th of April Lee had informationshowing that the Federal army was divided into two bodies.Not less than three corps were nearing Chancellorsville, 10miles to his left; while on his right some 30,000 or 40,000 men 290 LEADING AMERICAN SOLDIERS
Text Appearing After Image:
00 \ CO s^ ! _) 1 * 0 1 CO * ROBERT EDWARD LEE 291 were across the river in Jacksons front, threatening attack.Lee was now in one of those positions a correct descriptionof which depends on the talent of the general who occupiesit: if he is resolute and acts on the offensive he holds inte-rior lines and has victory within call; if he is prudent anddeliberate he is surrounded and threatened by disaster.Lee promptly seized the opportunity that gave him interiorlines. He decided instantly to concentrate on one of theFederal wings while they were still widely separated. WithJackson he reconnoitred the force which Hooker had sentover near Fredericksburg under Sedgwick, and came tothe conclusion that there was little hope of a decisive resultat this point in view of the Federal batteries on the northernbank. Orders were therefore issued for moving everyavailable man against Hooker in the direction of Chancel-lorsville. Early with 10,000 men was left to hold theFredericksburg positions as lo

Note About Images