Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-10-31
Anticipated Change in the AS
nAnnf nE hLha XXnn.

Ever since the stampede at Bull Run, now
over three months, we have been ou the eve
of "a decisive battle. Acco rding to the tele,
graph and the papers, great victory for the
Union cause, has been imminent nearly every
day and every hour in the day. So often had
the people been old this tale, and so repeat
edly had they been disappointed, that some
thing like impatience bealng ON distrust, was
beginning to manifest itself.
During the past three months, alternate
success and disaster have attended the
Union arms. Our forces, by some miscalcu-
latiOn or strange fatality, have frequently been
brought to face an enemy far superior in nun-
bers and appointments. Thus, our gallant
officers and brave men have been seemingly
ncedlessly slaughtered or made prisoners, to
say nothing 81 the arms ard military stores
that have fallen into the hands af the rebels.
These things have excited general feeling
of regret, if not OF Indignation, and loud
demand for more efficient and clear sighted
policy in the conduct Of the war. Probably
no man, or set ofmcn inpartcular, have been
to blame Tor this apparent general lnelhclency,
when all were more or less Inexperienced,
and had to take the first practical lessons in
the art Of war. But SIX months have now
elapsed, since our soldiers were first called
/ into the field and put in training, the people
have right to look for decisive, immediate
and successful military demonstrations.
Such, we nre happy to say, appear now 10
be making. Notwithstanding tow rcverses
that have belallcn our troops within lew
days, steady advances upon the rebels nave
been and arc now being made in every part OF
the country, which can be properly called
the "scat Of war'-in Eastern and western
Virginia, in Kentucky and Missouri. AS long
as the advances continue to be made, ana the
rebel forces arc driven further aud further
e.. Il Rll ~ IA
on our officers and Odicrs, though no decls-
i've engagement should take place. Our
troops cannot bring on great battle and
achieve decisive victory, unless tho enemy
will concentrate his force, make stand and
face them.
the rebels are determined to have nothing
bat sort OF guerrilla warfare, we must meet
them in that. In this ode of fighting, we
must expect an occasional disaster; Tor u Is
impr'cticable, while advancing into the enc
mys country, to guard against every possible
mode Of surprise, or be absolutely certain
that every scouting party shall have the nd
vantage over every opposing force 1t may
encounter. But steady and continued adj
vances into, and occupation of tho territory
held under the rebel jurisdiction, will be
more decisive Of the great controversy than
even pitched battles, whilo the inmcnS
slaughter Of the latter is avoided.
On nc WhOie, our h"llloh pcSlhs "
brighten and assume a more promising aspect
l 50 often have our hupes Of immediate sue
, ccs,nll results been disappointed, that W.
dare not count largely upon present antlci
u pations. Yet we think the expectation ma!
h be nationally cnt crtaincd, that, by tho time o
G the next meeting Of Congress, on the frs
), Monday OF DGccmher, the position of attur
win be 50 changed that the war will assume
u Instead Of merely defensive aspect,
5 decidedly successful offensive character
@ Statesman,