Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-23
The Great Disaster.

Yesterday the community and the whole
country were startled by tho intelligence
Of an overwhelming disaster 70 the Grand
Uulou Army that vas moving upon Rich
mond.
The news was received By people here in
silent gloom. There was no confederation,
no excitement, but deep. all-psrvadiuE
sense OF modification and grief. The news
Of yesterday morning was SO encouraging,
tbings appeared 70 DO going on 50 success
fully aud swimmingiy. that the sidings Of
this % lden reversal carried pang to the
heart Of the nation such as this people and
the country never before experienced, and
such as We trust may nsvet be felt again.
The keenuess of this pang WAS intensified
by a Knowledge of the tremendous results
Involved in the first grand contest upon
the plains Of Manassas, between the Gov
erament aad the great conspiracy. Forty
hours ago the atrocious rebellion WAS Civ
ing way. Victory perched upon tie ban.
uers of the Union, aud the whole country
and the world looked forward to COM
plets and speedy vindrcatiou of the Gov
erumeut. Forty hours later where do we
stand. Two of the grandest armies ever
marshaIled on this continent closed at Ma
uSssAs with a shock that has shaken the
whole nation, and an army of the bravest
meu ever assembled, fighting in
cause the most glorious, the nearest
and dearest TO the hearts Of all who
have faith in humanity, are seized With
. panic, aud az. liks the veriest PoltrOon.
/. is suoush to make the uatiOn-Put on
mouruiug; and this is the irst thought, tue
irst feeling But success is not the touch
stons With men who are living to maintain,
aud ready 10 die defending a, great Prinei
pie. Disaster is not defeat. Aud though
the 6rst feeling may be dismay, the next
Is the Impulse that will thrOb ia every
heart from Maine to Minnesota to avenge
the disaster, and redeem, ten times over,
the lost positioa of our army and cause
before the eOustry. Defeat cannot demon.
aiiss Ihs sisneuts that are striving to res
cue the government. They are too entire.
" devoted TO that object. They may in-
car disaster to-day, bat for every fallen
hero ten will rise TO take bis place, and
they will rise uatil the rebellion Is driven
iat6 the Calf Last nightthere vas mouru-
Ing 10 Northera cities aad hamlsts, bat this
noralag was: ushersd Ia With the roll Of
drums aud tue ring Of STEEL and there is
now
INA faaItsrtaE Gaa4 dron and the elattsFing car,
roIrinE fyrvsEd Win inP:taoas peel.
Ana EWlftly fognlas In the Taaks Of war.
The eoatest must now come With Ms
Il begins with disaster; but::WhO that has
faith 10 boavsu OF eoS6dsNcO 10 the strong
aru OF right who eau douS' that it must
esd 10 victory.
From the lntslligeuee received up to
,SIs writing We ssnno, tell bow great Is
tbs defeat OF The danger that threatens
WashiuEtun. That Il l. thrsassasd 1o
canno,, bat believe. II our army Il 90
completely routed ~ represented, there Is
no COED rsassurW by, the rebel army should
not follow up It's success and Push upon
the very Capital itself. Bat we do not
know What they may have suffered them
SslTes. The accounts say the carnage
WAS trruendous on both sides, and their
effectiveness may be crippled as well as
ours. Be lhii uS It may nothing bat an
Instant attack on ths forti6eatious across
the Potomac would Be successful, for With
a few hours a rslntorce aad regain eous.
asuos, tsesS Eorti6eaiIoas eould be bala
a e