THE OPERATIONS IN VIRGINIA. 
249 
he found himself in front of an enormous superiority of force, and the 
surrender of some twenty-five thousand confederates and their illustrious 
leader to General Grant, on April 9th, closed the trying and terrible 
series of struggles which had for four years concentrated the attention 
of the civilized world on the theatre of war in Virginia. 
The lecturer concluded by referring to certain matters which will be 
found quoted from authorities on both sides, in the appendix, and by 
saying—Colonel Spragge and Gentlemen, I have tried to set forth 
the leading features in campaigns, which are full of most valuable 
lessons, not only to all students of history and, particularly of strategy, 
in every land, but in a marked and especial degree to the politicians 
and soldiers of England. This is not the place to dwell on the political 
lessons, except to say that once campaigns begin politicians should not 
interfere with strategy. All American politicians and soldiers alike 
now see the truth of this axiom. 
But for us, whose very regular army is composed of volunteers, how 
fruitful of instruction is all that pertains to the organization, supply, 
officering and training, equipment, and discipline of the 1,000,000 of men, 
who moved from their northern homes by rail and road to neighbouring 
battle-fields against people of their own colour, language, and race ; 
and, whether we approve of their principles or not, we must not refuse 
the meed of our admiration to the ardent courage of the 250,000 Con¬ 
federates, and the energy and skill of their illustrious generals. 
For our part we can do justice to both sides, and all parties in the States 
again united, are equally proud of the genius and devotion of Lee and 
McClellan, Stuart and Sheridan. 
It is only lately that some leading officers of our own army have 
paid generous tributes to the memory of Sherman. 
The generation that played its part on the battle-fields of Virginia, or 
from a distance watched the varying phases of the operations of the 
contending forces, is rapidly passing away, but few of them will regret, 
few even of the confederate soldiers now living, will regret that they are 
leaving the glorious American union intact in peaceful security behind 
them to be the hope of many a generation of their descendants. Let 
us apply the lessons of their experience to a far more ancient state, 
a still more glorious inheritance, the safety of which is committed to 
the charge of us all, and in an especial degree of the gentlemen who 
have so patiently listened to me this evening. To our own country, as 
well as to the United States across the Atlantic, we can apply the words 
of the American poet— 
“ Sail on, O Ship of State, 
Sail on, O Union, strong and great ; 
Humanity, with all its fears, 
With all its hopes of future years, 
Is hanging, breathless on thy fate.” 
The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer, 
proposed by Lieut.-Colonel Spragge and carried with acclamation. 
