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The Advance--the Defeat

The Advance--the Defeat image
Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
July
Year
1861
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

■The Causes. The army of the Potomac made an adrance last week iü answer to the demrmd of" Forward to Riclitnoud." The encmy feil back from Fairfax Court House without firiiig a gun, and also from Centerville. The Union forces flushed with anticipated victory pressed onward, and on Thursday a scvere engagement oceurred at ]3ull's Run, three miles frem the enemy's intrcDched camp at Manassas Juuction. Thissevere engagement was participated in by tho brigade of Col. liichardson which is reported as having lost twenty men. On Sunday a general engagement took place, our troops advnncing and attaeking tha enemy's camp cnrly in the moruing. The battle lasted all and reports say was part [eipa ted in by 22,0)08 of our force. Sevcral of the encmy's battcrics were carried, when our troops were driven back, a stampode created, and a disorderly and disgraeeful retreat nnsuod. It ' is Sfiid that the stampede was caused by a charge of 30,000 uien nnder Gen. Johnston ; again that it was induced by the hurriád movement of the caissons to the rear to procure ammunition for the batterics; and again that it was produeed by a charge of cavalry upon the teamsters and civilians who had intruded themsclvcs upon tbc battle field. It is certain that itoecurred, and not in the most orderly manncr. All accounts concur in stating that up to tlio time the stampcdo oceurred our men had all fought bravcly ; but thcy succumbed to permanent battories and a greatly superior force - ft force 1 ed, too, bchind permanent works. Our los is variously cstimated at from G0O to 1000, while the loss of the enemy is not known. We cannot give details, but in our news columns will be found some of the most important incidents of the day. It is quite certain that this advanco was made in opposition to the better judgment of Gen. Scott, and contrary to his advice ; iu fact it is asserted that it was made against his carnest protest, and only when the President had yielded to the clamor of the leading journals and Congressional influences semi officiallv brought to bear, aud ordered it. If so this lessou should be learned, that the President and the War Depariment should horeafter seck advico from tlic military men in whoin they must confide to execute tlioir plans, and frora no other sourco ; and they should disregard the clamors of unmilitary editors, unmilitary Congressmen, ancl an uumilitry public, and foarlesa of publio opinión prepare for Üíc contest beforc again ontering upon it. If the President has confidonce in the j:idgmeut aud abllity of Gen. Scott let liiin licrcaf(cr bc adviscd byjhim; if not, let him in tin name of humai.ity be superseded by soine military man i;i wbom iinplkttt oonfidenee oan be roposed, and let Congrcssmen, and Editora, and the public ïuind their own business. - Wc liave f.iith i ft Gen. SCOTT, and tlnnl; tbe campaign sefer i:i kis hands iLan in the hands of politieiáns, Edilors; ox CongrpssniQn. One o the Ubsbn siiould be leanicd, tliat it is tio mark of wisdom to underratc tiic eneiüy. J t is dcmouslratud that the rebela have an army, and that the inen coinposïng it wil! figltt. It is demonstrated that they have experieneed offieers, and all the appointments of an army, including cavalrj, artillery, and general munitions of war; and that wíth a few inexperienccd, lialf drilled regiments ofj men we cannot overrun thè South. - ! These are the lessons the recent defeat j tcaeh, and well will it bo if the goverunient and all our pooplo proüt by them. In this way oalj' can this most unwelcoino deftat be turncd to good accouut.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus