May 20, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)
RICHMOND, Saturday, May 16.
So far as I can learn, the fall of Jackson is based on a private telegram received yesterday from Mobile. The wires to that point have been cut, and the War Department professes ignorance. The greatest apprehensions are caused by the universal want of confidence in the tenacity of purpose and judgment of Lieutenant General Pemberton. That he is zealous there can be no doubt. That his air, bearing and prompt address are military is unmistakable. That he is busy and brave is certain. But of his mental calibre and moral firmness it would be idle to say there are not the gravest misgivings. He has the reputation of a strict disciplinarian and of being devoted to his profession. As an executive officer simply, he would do well. In the field, under orders of such men as Lee, Johnston and Beauregard, and not in too high a position, he would probably be very useful. But the verdict of the country is that he is narrow and vacillating and unfit for any such important posts as Vicksburg and Charleston. After the gratuitous abandonment of the Stono River, thus inviting an attack on Charleston, he officially advised the dismantling and destruction of all the forts in the harbor. Charleston was saved by the decided and emphatic disapproval of this extraordinary recommendation by General Lee and the President, and by the heroic conduct of the feeble and exhausted force left at Secessionville. Yet the author of such a proposition, who was not near Secessionville, upon removal from Charleston was promoted and put in charge of Vicksburg, instead of in the field, under Lee, as was expected. Johnston may retrieve Pemberton’s asserted errors; but the fear is here that he reached Vicksburg too late to be able to make the needful repairs. He was in Montgomery last Sunday. Grant is an able and persistent man; there are grounds for apprehensions.
Yesterday an accumulation of military talent in this city gave rise at once to the story of a great council of war and mighty things to be done forthwith. The fact is, Generals This and That have come down to take a peep at their families and refresh themselves after the bloody week’s work in the Wilderness.
Meagre accounts of the enemy’s force and operations at West Point come to us. He is said to be digging furiously. Opposition, you know, is never made to a thing of this sort, although Doodle generally remains a fixture wherever he is permitted to stick a spade. Should an advance from West Point be attempted, it will be apt to meet with some opposition. Every one is convinced that the enemy will push his cavalry raids, and bother us not a little to repel them.
Adjutant Stuart, of one of the Mississippi regiments, lived long enough to certify that himself and a brother officer had been bayonetted after surrendering their swords. Hence no prisoners were taken by Mississippi troops when Fredericksburg was recaptured.
Seen against the background of blue sky, as it floats from the top of the Capitol, the new flag looks really beautiful, and grows in favor every day. The first correct flag of the new pattern ever made draped the coffin of Stonewall Jackson.
A letter just received from Baltimore states that Mrs. General Foster, at a dinner, some week or two ago, displayed a set of magnificent diamonds. Glancing complacently at the brilliant cross on her bosom, she said: ‘Some of the spoils of war, sent me by the General.’ Some one intimated that the General was no better than a common rogue, whereupon the lady burst into tears, and left the table in a huff.
HERMES.