Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/250

 238 Southern Historical Society Papers.

was returned again to the Valley On rejoining Early, Kershaw's men were impressed by the loss of confidence in him among his troops. This seemed as severe and unreasoning as the demorali- zation incident to it was surprising and unprecedented in the Army of Northern Virginia. But it did not infect Kershaw's division.

GENERAL LEE's HIGH ESTIMATE OF GENERAL EARLY.

That General Early's unpopularity and loss of confidence was due to repellant manner and the foment of personal ill-will, more than military mistakes or lack of capacity, there can be no doubt. In the month between, his Winchester and Cedar Creek defeats oppo- sition to him took shape in an effort for his displacement from com- mand of the Valley forces. This was urged upon General Lee through Governor Smith, who had commanded a brigade in Early's division. The correspondence between them appears at page 893, etseq., Part II, Vol. XLIII, Rebellion Records. The Governor bases his request for Early's removal from command of the Valley army on "a letter from an officer who has my entire confidence." The following is quoted from the letter:

" General Early's appearance along the line of march excites no pleasure, much less enthusiasm and cheers. No salute is given. He is not greeted at all by private or officer, but is allowed to pass, neither receiving or taking notice. The army once believed him a safe commander and felt they could trust to his caution, but unfor- tunately this has proved a delusion and they cannot, do not, and will not, give him their confidence. He was surprised at Winchester. He did not expect a general engagement that day. This destroyed the confidence in him, and Fisher's Hill was the terrible sequence."

General Lee replied, asking the name of the officer quoted that justice to General Early required that he should be informed of the accusations against him, and the name of his accuser. This, in a second letter, Governor Smith stated he did not feel at liberty to furnish. But he resumed the request for a change of commanders and rehearsed the charges on which the request was based at much length. In General Lee's response he defended General Early with vigor. Of his conduct at Winchester he said: " General Brecken- ridge, who was present on that occasion, informed me that, in his opinion, the dispositions made by General Early to resist the enemy were judicious and successful until rendered abortive by a misfor- tune which he could not prevent, and which might have befallen any other commander. He also spoke in high terms of General