Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/362

 352 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Saunders and Jackson, the unripe grain, And Taliaferro, stately as knight of old, A blade of steel with a sheath of gold. And Wright, who fell on the Crater's red sod. Gave his life to the Cause, his soul to God.

These are random shots at the field of Fame, But each rings out on a noble name. Yes, names like bayonet points, when massed, Blaze out as we gaze on the splendid past.

That past is now like an Arctic Sea Where the living currents have ceased to run,

But over that past the fame of Lee Shines out as the "Midnight Sun;"

And that glorious Orb, in its march sublime. Shall gild our graves till the end of time!

The Surrender of Vicksburg — A Defence of General Pemberton.

J

By Major R. W. Memminger, A. A. G. and Chief of Staff, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

[Written not long after the fall of the city.]

A sufficient time has elapsed since the fall of Vicksburg for the ex- citement caused by that event to have somewhat subsided. The judg- ment of the community was passed while this excitement was at its height, and when the public was comparatively unacquainted with the facts in the case. It would seem at least fair that this judgment should withhold its fiat until the friends of Lieutenant-General John C. Pem- berton can be heard in his defence. The Roman citizen could appeal unto Caesar, should justice not be meted out to him. The friends of General Pemberton appeal to the public, and only desire that a man be not condemned unheard.

In passing judgment upon Lieutenant-General Pemberton the peo- ple seem to have considered, not what he has done, but what he has not done. They say, "Why did he not provision Vicksburg," and not " Did he do everything that could be done towards that object ?" The army of Lieutenant-General Pemberton, numbering some forty thou- sand effectives, had to contend against the armies of Grant and Banks, the smaller of which nearly equalled his entire force ; the other was vastly superior — and these armies operating three hundred miles apart. In the campaign in North Mississippi, Grant was completely