The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-16 00:00:00

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

(From the Times' Correspondent.)
NEW YORK, Jan. 27.

The beginning of the end draws near. There is a
break up of the ice. The debacle has commenced.
There are sounds under the frozen waters that in-
form prudent men of the ooming peril, and warn
them to get out of the way. The unloosened stream
is about to burst from its winter bondage; and if it
overflow the banks, carry away the bridges, and
submerge the farms and tenements within a wide
district on either side, no one ought to be surprised
at the outbreak. The patience of the people is well
nigh exhausted. They have long been disgusted
with the war and the Administration. The disgust
has communicated itself to the army. Confidence
exists nowhere. Even the Exterminators and the
Abolitionists have begun to despair of their cause,
their President, and themselves, and see before
them not only the dismemberment of the Union
into North and South, but into a third Republic of
the West, accompanied by the utter prostration of
credit, if not by a crowning act of national bank-

raWes.

The recent failure of thoarmy of the Potomac has
brought matters to this crisis. After floundering
in the peculiarly tenacious mud of Virginia for a
few hours, General Burnside resolved to lead his
dispirited and insubordinate army to the attack,
unaccompanied by the artillery, which he found it
impossible to move, arguing that the storms which
had done him so much damage had done as much to
the enemy, and that if they could fight without
cannon so could he. At the council of war called
to consider the matter General Burnside found none
to agree with him. Hesitating under such circum-
stances—as well he might—to assume the respon-
sibility of continuing a movement so inauspiciously
begun, so certein to be inefficiently supported by his
reluctant subordinates, and so likely to lead to the
capture or annihilation of the whole force, he re-
signed himself to his fate, countermanded the move•
meat, left his horses, his waggons, and his guns in
the mud, marched his troops back to their old can-
tonments, and proceeded to Washington, determined
to resign his command. The President did not wish
to accept the resignation, but General Burnside was
peremptory and would listen to no advice or per-
suasion. The result was that on Saturday morning
he ceased to be commander of the Army of the
Potomac ; and that General Hooker, the " fighting
Joe" of the soldiers, was appointed to his place. For
some reasons not yet explained—perhaps from the
appointment of a junior over their heads, perhaps
from disapprobation of the unconstitutional acts of

the Government, perhaps from dissatisfaction with

the continued interference of the President with mi •
litary matters, which he does not understand, and
perhaps from despair of achieving any good with the
Army of the Potomac, Generals Sumner and Frank-
lin—old, experienced, and trusted soldiers—have
also resigned. The distrust and demoralisation are
widely spread. Mr. Raymond, of the .N etc York
Times, reports that in a visit to the camp, amid the
exciting scenes of last week, he heard of one corps
of 15,000 men, which, on arriving to take part in
General Burnside's projected movement was found
to number but 5,000. In other words, the remaining
10,000 had severed their connection with the Army
of the Potomac by the simple act of desertion. At
the present time this once noble army is little better

than a mob. Whatever patriotism may have once in

1/ Davis and the Southern people maintain that
l they can carry on the war against all the force
which the North can oppose, they will throw them-
selves on the side of the South. The z•ubject is
keenly debated among them, together wi h the cog-1
nate questions of Fiee Trade and the Tariff. Chica-
go, by the voice of a public meeting, declares that
Mr. Lincoln (of Illinois) has neither "back bone nor
grit," and that if the war is to be prosecuted for the
extermination of the Southern people the cowards
of the army must undertake the job, for the brave
men will not do it. The Chicago Tribune declares
that " if in the changes and reorganisation that are
possible it is necessary for the West to choose where
she will go, she may not become an appendage
either of the middle States or of the South, but may
declare her independence of both ; and in the heart
of the continent, the possessor of the finest soil and
the best climate in the hemisphere, with more than
10,000,000 of people, and the prospect of a rapid in-
crease, may organise an empire that will dominate
over all other sections of the republic." Indiana is
equally dissatisfied, and swarms with democrats,
who make no secret of their enmity to the Federal
Government and their sympathy with the South.
There is naturally much disquietude in Washington,
when such facts as these and many others not pro-
mulgated to the public are made known to the Ad-
ministration by its avowed friends or secret agents;
and hence arises some portion of the frantic desire
of the Federal Government that a bold stroke
should immediately be made on the Mississippi.
The Southern Government knows well what is in-
tended; and in his recent tour in the south-west
Mr. Jefferson Davis took especial pains to impress
upon the people the paramount importance of de-
fending to the last extremity both Vicksburg and
Port Hudson. Under the pressure of this idea the
Federal Government is prepared, especially after
the failure of Burnside's movement, to allow the war
to languish for a while in Virginia. Gen. Halleck
and others speak of the possession of Richmond as
if it were not worth further effort; and even go so
far as to express the opinion that the army of the
Potomac should be sent to Vicksburg to co-operate
in the reduction of that fortress. The rise of the
waters in all the navigable rivers that flow into the
Mississippi and the Ohio renders available the great
naval resources of the North, and points to a spring
campaign, in which the Federal Government will
put forth its whole strength to regain the wanting
confidence of the Western and North-Western
States by the conquest and control of the Missis-
sippi. Vicksburg, therefore, and not Richmond,
promises to be the Armageddon of the war. The
only obstacle to the abandonment of the campaign

a Virginia is the danger that would threaten Wash-

ington if any large portion of the army of the Poto-
mac were withdrawn—a danger that seems to be
ever present to Mr. Lincoln's mind, and on which
it is difficult, if not impossible, to reassure him. He
cannot forget either Stonewall Jackson or General
Stuart, or the possibilities of evil that may wait
upon their separate or combined daring. He can-
not, for dignity's sake, abandon Washington and
take refuge in New York, and has no inclination to
be carried as a captive to Richmond, to experience
the fate of John Brown, of Ossawattomie, so re-
nowned in the songs of the Massachusetts Volun-
teers, and in the execration of the South. As the
only alternative he insists upon the safety of Wash-
ington, and keeps two armies to secure it.

Mr. Simon Cameron, ex-Secretary of War, seems

spired it has oozed or been beaten out of it. The
discouragement began by the removal of General
APClellan, was followed by the proclamation of
emancipation, and lastly by the non-receipt of its
long overdue pay and allowances. Under these com-
bined agencies officers and soldiers alike have lost
faith in the influences which affect to control them,
and, if something be not immediately done to restore
it to obedience and reanimate it with faith as well
as courage, the army will not survive the winter. It
is not only melting away, but what remains of it
cannot again be brought up to the fighting point—
not if IM'Clellan himself were to take command of
it. Mr. Raymond states to-day, and puts his signa-
ture to the allegation, that " the officers are demo-
ralised in every sense of the word, and that they are
a source of discouragement, discontent, and dis-
heartenment to the soldiers," and does not hesitate
to add that " the failure of General Burnside's move-

ing an offer that he might betray the offerer. In order
that he might not afterwards be accused of having
had a real hankering after the money, he previ-
ously communicated his plot to several of his col-
leagues init he Legislature. This done, he commenced
operations. The trap was set and baited, and Mr.
Cameron began to nibble. A person in the ex-
Minister's confidence sought an interview with the
corruptible legislator, and, after a little dexterious
dalliance, made him an offer of 5,000 dole. for his
vote. The sum was rejected as not sufficient to repay
the risk or gild the disgrace, and the negotiator
withdrew. On the following day Mr. Cameron
himself appeared on the scene, and doubled the
bribe. Mr. Boyer, however, was not to be purchased
at so cheap a rate; and in subsequent interviews
the premium or, his virtue advanced in successive
and easy leaps to fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five
thousand dollars. At the latter point it rested, Mr.
Cameron being unable or unwilling to bid any higher.
The bargaiu finally closed at 25,000 dollars, and a
deposit of one-fifth was offered in proof of the
validity of the transaction, the remainder to be paid
spirit. on the day of Mr. Cameron's election. Mr. Boyer,
Scarcely anyone anticipates that General Hooker however, refused to touch the money, and in due
will be able to make anything of the instrument on time recorded his vote against Mr. Cameron, who
which it is his ill-fortune to be called upon to play. thereby lost his election. Mr. Boyer has published
Wall-street certainly is not of opinion that he will in the Philadelphia journals a long statement, of
draw much melody out of it. He may strike up a which the above are the principal points, and has
bold and martial strain, but the pipe is out of tune offered to substantiate them upon oath. A com-
and will never discourse the music of victory, how- mittce of the Lower House of the Pennsylvanian
ever lustily he may blow. The news of Burnside's Legislature has been appointed to investigate
mishap sent gold up to 50;4; his resignation sent it the matter, with power to call upon both parties
to 52; and te-day the general aspect of affairs and to give evidence before it; and until their
the all but hopeless condition of the army which was decision be rendered the President is urged not to
once the pride of the republic have raised it to the permit Mr. Cameron to return to St. Petersburg.
alarming figure of 5.5. People ask what is to be done, This is clearly a case of Greek against Greek. No
and no one can answer. Were there a general who one will have much sympathy with Mr. Cameron
had pluck and audacity enough to put himself at the if the ease be proved against him, as it promises to
head of the still considerable number of the army be—but quite as certainly no one will have any
which is fretting, fuming, and mouldering away on with Mr. Boyer. Detestation of the acts of the
the bank of the Rappahannock, and march, not to criminal does not necessarily cause the spectator of
Richmond, but to Washington, to re-enact the part the punishment to have any fellow-feeling for Jack
of Cromwell or Napoleon, there is little doubt that Ketch who officiates, the more especially if Jack
the people would wish him God speed, and rally to be a volunteer, and ties the noose and lets fall the
his standard as the forlorn hope of the Republic drop out of sheer love of the ungentlemanly office.
But there is no such man. Or, if there be, he has Political corruption is bad, but it is scarcely worse
lost his chance. The noblest ship of modern times than political treachery, It will surprise no one if
—the American Republic—is drifting against the some other person than Mr. Cameron be deputed
rocks for want of a captain and a pilot—almost to represent the Federal Government at the Court
certain, if she do not founder, to split herself into of the Czar, and if Mr. Boyer be rejected the next
pieces against obstructions which the most ordinary time he offers himself for a seat in the Legislature;
seamanship would have enabled her to avoid. but it will assuredly both scandalise and surprise
Nor is it only the disheartening failure of the the public, should the case be proved, if Mr. Lin-
Army of the Potomac and the universal distrust coin persist after such an exposure in nominating
with which the policy of the administration and the Mr. Cameron to any office of trust or emolument;
personal action of Mr. Lincoln are regarded that least of all to an embassy.
inspire alarm. The West is becoming clamorous, if The recent turmoil and excitement in Albany
not rebellious. To such an extent has the discontent consequent upon the election of Speaker of the
been carried that the jocular President, the hilarious Rouse of Assembly have created considerable
Secretary of State, the somnolent Secretary of the scandal. Mr. Callicott, the successful candidate,
Navy, and the whole personnel of the Administra- was originally a Democrat; and it is alleged that
tion and the Senate are for the first time seriously
he corruptly sold himself to the opposite party.
alarmed. The rough and ready population of the Hence the hubbub of the past fortnight in the legis-
Western and North Western regions declare that lative capital. As parties are very easily ba-
they are fighting and have fought for the Unibecause they were of opinion that th on, lanced, and the Speaker will probably have the
e free naviga- casting vote in the election of a Senator for
tion of the Mississippi could best be secured and New York to the Federal Congress, which
perpetuated by the restoration of the Republic one
is to take place next week, the struggle was
and indivisible. 'They deny that they have ever
to fight for the abolition ofof more than usual importance, involving not only
fought or intend slavery, the triumph of the Republicans in the compare-
their lands
sympathy with the negro, either free
They have no sy tively small matter of the Speakership, but in the
deny him access to
or enslaved. They far greater question of the Senatorship. Were the
and all political rights. They think that his proper Senator elected by universal suffrage, as the repro-
piece is in the cotton, rice, and sugar fields of the sentatives are, there is no doubt that the Democrats
y jy—
Sonth, and that his proper status is slavery. The
would carry their man b a large ma orit but
elected by • edict of emancipation, a Legislature in which both parties are
inoperative as it has been,
equal that one vote may decide the issue,
has made them bitterly hostile to the Government so nearly
which issued it, and has set them calculating whe- not surprising that the Democratic made an ob-
ther the freedom of the Mississippi is likely to he jstinate fight on the Speakership, though it is to be
most speedily express their disgust at the con-
assura under the auspices of the regretted that they
Seutheen or the Northern Federation. If they once duct of the renegade member of their party in terms
decide that the Northern Government is not in a which are neitherParliamentary,nor gentlemanlike.
position to open up that great artery of internal Another little circumstance, which has excited
commerce, and allow them to discharge the contents some commotion during the week, deserves men-
of their overflowing granaries intothe hungry cities tion, even amid the greater affairs of the war, as
and plantations of the cotton-producing States in showing the strength of the principle of States'
1e33 than the 20 years during which Mr. Jefferson rights, which the Federal party affects to ignore,

to have stuck as deeply in the mud as the army of
the Potomac. He is involved in a score—or perhaps
thrice a score of lawsuits commenced against him
by persons whom he wrongfully ordered to be im-
prisoned in Forts Lafayette and Warren; and,
having left his embassy at St. Petersburg, to mix
himself up in the local politics 3f Pennsylvania,
with the view of being elected to the Senate of the
United States, he has been ignominiously defeated
and rejected. But this is not the worst part of his
manifold distresses and humiliations. AR unscru-
pulous member of the legislature of Pennsylvania,
named Boyer, having heard, or had reason to sus-
spect some days prior to the election, that Mr.
Cameron was Rot only willing but anxious to bribe
any one who would vote for him, and knowing more-
over, that one vote was all that was required to turn
the scale in the ex-Minister's favour, treacherously
and maliciously placed himself in the way of receiv-

ment was not so much owing to the storm and the
mud as primarily and mainly to the insubordina-
tion of the generals, who, in the presence of infe-
rior officers, of newspaper reporters, and of all who
chose to listen, denounced the movement before it
took place and while it was in progress." Yesterday
the special correspondent of the World, writing be-
fore General Burnside's resignation was known,
declared that the troops had lost their confidence,
and that the soldier no longer thought it an honour
to belong to the Army of the Pomtomac. Such facts
as these have long been whispered in private, but
the newspapers hesitated to give them publicity
lest they should be accused of treason, and lest Mr.
Stanton, in a sudden fit of renewed activity, should
have revived for the especial behoof of their editors
and correspondents the ancient, but not altogether
unexploded, terrors of Forts Lafayette and Warren.
Now they are blazoned abroad in every sheet that
is published, and read by camp fires in the mud and
rain, increasing the dissatisfaction which they nar-
rate, and flattering insubordination and mutiny
with the polite euphonisms of patriotism and public