The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-07-30
Our Defeat.

ouN DcaSo.
LIZ After we had gone to press on
Tuesday last, came the sad, depressing
intelligence that our army had suffered
defeat-disastrous humiliating defeat,
with the loss of thousands killed and
wounded and all of our artillery taken.
No words can express the depth of feel
ing produced by this news, in our COM
munity. 1t weighed down the hearts,
and shrouded in gloom the countenances
of all. Sorrow at the immense sacrifice
of life, humiliation at the iSnominous
panic that seized our troops, was felt by
everyone The hopes of peace, which
seemed SO bright, were overshadowed
and men were awakened to the fact that
we are engaged in dread struggle--a
life struggle for our country, our gov
eminent, and for the Republican idea.
But gradually the feeling of dependency
was dispelled, and in its place came one
of firm reliance on the Right, and a
stern determination to sacrifice every
thing in behalf of the cause. The next
dav brought better news, showing not
only that the report of loss on our side
had been greatly exaggerated, but taking
away, to large extent, the ignominy Of
the defeat. 1t then became apparent that
our forces had been immensely outnum-
bered, besides being compelled to with.
stand The great odds Of an enemy en-
,renched behind masked batteries. Our
soldiers had fought with courage al.
most unparalleled, doing deeds of daring
that are almost without rival on any bat
tie field The charges and the defence,
of the Fire Zouaves, and the Goth; the
steady courage Of the Massachusetts,
Michigan, and Minnesota troops, were
equal to the best fighting the world ever
saw. Whatever soldiers could do for
victory was done, They could not over
come the incompetency Of their own Off,
GERS, and an enemy double their number,
entrenched behind masked batteries Of
terrible cannon. Wherever they fought
they were Victorious, but when the re-
serve were struck with panic, and fled
in wild Gi5may, they fell back in order,
bringing away such cannon as still pos,
sessed horses to draw them, and resting
all night at Cenlreyile, only three miles
from the battle field.
Sill the disaster is a great one, and
whether to be attributed TO PATTERSON
or 10 Mcdowell, or TO subordinate Off
GERS on tie field, is most unfortunate
The peace which victory at Manassas
would undoubtedly soon after given US,
has been put off for months. The pres.
tige given to Southern arms by ii may
have effect upon foreign powers, while
The friends Of the Union at the South
may become discouraged and alienated.
But it will also, undoubtedly, do much
good. 1t has again fired the North with
energy and determination. 1t has reused
the powers at Washington to a just ap-
probation OF the cont test, and instead OF
begging at the door Of the war depart
ment for acceptance, as thousands upon
thousands Of our men have, they will be
welcomed and invited. The country
will now put forth its strength. and all
its resources with vigor. TO the more
prompt crushing out of the rebellion.
In the mean time, let those who are
able make preparations for giving them
selves aud their means to the govern.
nent. The hand Of slavery is upon the
throat Of Constitutional liber,y--ils grasp
is upon the vitals Of Republican irstitu-
tions-and it is clutching to drag in the
dust the glorious flag under which we
have gone onward so rapidly to prospect
ty and greatness. Let The harvest be
gathered, and then let every nan who
can 60 10 serve his country, shoulder his
musket and devote himself to her cause.
She has need OF him.
State Bonds.