hich reached the field in time to share in
the first day's success. Now, it nowhere appears in Lee's report of
Gettysburg that he ordered Longstreet to him or blamed him for
tardiness; but his report admits errors, and quietly takes the
responsibility for them on his own broad shoulders. A recent article in
the public press, signed by General Longstreet, ascribes the failure at
Gettysburg to Lee's mistakes, which he (Longstreet) in vain pointed out
and remonstrated against. That any subject involving the possession and
exercise of intellect should be clear to Longstreet and concealed from
Lee, is a startling proposition to those having knowledge of the two
men. We have Biblical authority for the story that the angel in the path
was visible to the ass, though unseen by the seer his master; but
suppose, instead of smiting the honest, stupid animal, Balaam had
caressed him and then been kicked by him, how would the story read? And
thus much concerning Gettysburg.

Shiloh was a great misfortune. At the moment of his fall Sidney
Johnston, with all the energy of his nature, was pressing on the routed
foe. Crouching under the bank of the Tennessee River, Grant was
helpless. One short hour more of life to Johnston would have completed
his destruction. The second in command, Beauregard, was on another and
distant part of the field, and before he could gather the reins of
direction darkness fell and stopped pursuit. During the night Buell
reached the northern bank of the river and crossed his troops. Wallace,
with a fresh division, got up from below. Together, they advanced in the
morning, found the Confederates rioting in the plunder of captured
camps, and drove them back with loss. But all this was as nothing
compared to the calamity of Johnston's death.

Educated at West Point, Johnston remained for eight years in the army of
the United States, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the details of
military duty. Resigning to aid the cause of the infant Republic of
Texas, he became her Adjutant-General, Senior Brigadier, and Secretary
of War. During our contest with Mexico, he raised a regiment of Texans
to join General Zachary Taylor, and was greatly distinguished in the
fighting around and capture of Monterey. General Taylor, with whom the
early years of his service had been passed, declared him to be the best
soldier he had ever commanded. More than once I have heard General
Zachary Taylor express this opinion. Two cavalry re