Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-09-20
From, the Chronicle.

mayed! O! shame, shame
From the Chronicle.
Messrs EDIroRs-The var in which
the United States are now engaged, ex-
traordinary in its commencement, has
been hitherto equally so in It's operations.
Sumo Jealous for hostilites, early an
neunced, that the war would be emerge.
tic and of short duration THAT as soon
as the standard of the United States was
reared within the territory of the enemy,
the inhabitants of the country would
flock to it THAT both the Canadas
would be soon conquered. But, alas !!
we are now far advanced in the secand
campaign, and are not yet, that l know
of, in possession of one foot of either OF
the Canadas, except Fort George, and
narrow vicinity. But we have lost one
territory and one whole array, besides
several severe losses in killed aud pri
soners in different detachments. A
war in detachments, ruinous in its ma
ture, seems to have been adopted BY our
armies. This mode Of warfare, tends
to sacrifice the flower of an army, to but
little purpose the brave and enterprlz-
ng, in undue PROPORTIONS, press to be
actors. A brave PIKE was lost at the
bead Of a few hurdred men, when his
bravery and abilities might have con-
Quoted full brigade into the bowels OF
an enemy's country. Many public stores
and property ave been lost and destroy
ed in places easy OF access to the enc
my, aud the want Of a proper defence
for their ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and p1b
lie property are always an object to the
enemy, and he will seize them if posi-
BILE they should therefore be deposited
in places out of his reach. or sufficiently
guarded when within. When near tn,
enemy, the magazines should be IN the
rear If in the front, IN the first re buff
they are lost, and although superior
force is soon collected, and the enemy
are driven of, the public property is
destroyed. The army is supplied by
contract, in which it is stipulated, tina:
such supplies as are taken and destroy
ed by the enemy shall be paid for by
the United States The contractor mus,
deposit such quantitie. of provisions, and
at such places as the commander directs.
If o,oeo rations are deposited, and the
enemy take them, the contractor loses
nothing he has another 10000 rations
to supply, but the public have 20,ooer a
tons to pay for. Hence the commander
of he army should exercise great skill
and Judgment in designating the proper
places of deposit, and adopting proper
measures for security.
II has been noticed, that in several &C
tons which have taken place during the
present war, that eur troops have been
surprized, or have fallen into an bus
cade The fault should be corrected
1t happens from neglect. A brave and
good officer may be overpowered and
defeated, but if he has correctly dene his
duty, his character will not suffer but
he Who allows himself to be surprizcd,
through neglect of the proper precau
tons for his security, his character (.a,s
great military writer) "n irrefrieua-
BE-" There also seems Frequently to
have been deficiency in centinels and
pat, oles. When near the enemy, Can
ger is always to be apprehended sup
posed security dweIls nert door to rum.
The greatest temptation to an enemy to
undertake an enterprise, is the careless
ness and supposed security OF his oppo
nent.
Some late public papers have an
nounced that the northern armies are
now commanded BY The a6lesf Generals
in fhe United Sfafts Time and their
conduct mast prove the truth ct the as
seItion. The whole community must
be convinced that the present condition
of our country calls, and that loudly. for
the united AID and erertions OF her ablest
sons, in every department.. Ii will be
remembered, that there is wide differ.
ence between carrying on war in on
own, and in an eneny'.. country. A
great General and King once said-"Ii
l was solely attentive to my own glory,
l would always make my own country
the theatre of war;" and subjoins ms
reasons for It, some of which are cogen'
But the prosperity Of every country, u
directly opposite to it. Heaven gran
20 ours, a Speedy, just and honora6''
PEACE. We need no additional ter