American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-10-19
ARNY OF TEE PoTo4AC.
Sept p, 1851.


AR2TT or TIE PoTo3AC,(
Near Fairfax, Vs..
Sept. p, 1857
Nine weeks ago. yesterday, The battle
of Manassas was fought. The Confeds-
rates won the victory; but where are It's
fruits? Has the Government-has the
commanding General---dons the best
that could be done? II they have. then
the country ought to be satisfied. If they
have not, the, country may overlook.
though it will not forget. the short coming
Our effective force here is very little,
if any, greater than it was two weeks al
ter the battle. The number Of regiments
is considerably larger. but owing 10 sick
ness, it may vel be doubted whether the
number of fighting men is much greater
Our means of transportation have been
increased, and The CommissaTiat depart
ment is somewhat better supplied. Our
supply of ammunition IS ample, and q
number of field batteries have been CT
organized and brought into service. An-
other object of great importance, which
it would be imprudent TO name az this
time, has been accomplished. Mean
while, the moral effect Of the victory n
the United States has been most benef-
cial, while its political effect in Europe
has been all We could desire. 4 whole
some lesson has been administered to the
enemy, and European nations have been
taught to look upon the Confederate Gov
eminent as a fixed fact-a power IN the
earth which will make itself felt and re-
spected. This much, at least. has been
accomplished.
On the other hand, time has been Civ
en- the enemy to supply the places Of his
retiring regiments, TO re-organize Lis de-
moralized forces. to recruit his broken
columns, and to recover. in part. at Least,
from the panic with which he was ssizs q
at Manassas. He has had time. a'so.
to surround his capital both on the Yir-
GINA and Maryland sides. with defensive
works of the most formidable character.
and 10 accumulate vast amounts OF pro-
visions, clothing. ammunition and stores
of every kind. 1t may be doubted whelh-
err the works this side of the river can BE
carried, except at a sacrifice Of life too
great for the object to lie accomplished.
No apprehensions need be entertained as
to the result Of conflict on the open
field Behind entrenchments. however,
and protected By Notifications. the enemy
may stand his ground against equal num-
bers and infict heavy loss. But should
our men ever get near enough for him
to see their cleaning eyes, neither his
breastworks nor the Potomac River viii
be sufficient to stay bis flight.
Such is the debit and credit account OF
the battle Manassas. The reader mus:
decide for himself upon the wisdom Of
the policy that has been pursued Ths;
we could and should have entered Wash
ington ten days after the battle. Is row
conceded upon all sides. Indeed. il has
seemed to me that the way has been lefi
open to Us at any time since the els.
July. If Napoleon had been az The bead
Of our forces, or any other commander
who possessed their COINCIDENCE. and m
derstood the aggressive spirit Of the vol
unteer. the Army Of the Potomac would
to day have been laundering at the gate.
of Philadelphia and New York And
yet, do not wish TO be understood a
finding fault with Johnston and Beaure
gard. The latter yielded up the com
mand the day after the battle. and zinc'
/ that time Johnston has had the dirscfiol
of affairs. lie is believed to be gOOS
strategist. and he certsinly possesses
\ great GOODNESS and courage He knows
4 too. that the Government Is IN rs infane,
that, ike a child beginning 70 walk
We are just taking our first steps amOns
the nations Of the eaTth-that the Who'll
world looked upon Us with more or les
distrust. and that many of our own peo
PIE even felt some misgsiving as tO-the r.
suit. In view OF these facts. and Known.
how much depended upon success II Gu
first endesvcrs, be may have felt that b
could not be TOO cautious. and that evel
where the chances were in favor OF sue
cess, it was hazarling too much % max
J the attempt unless be were dOubly sure c
victory. An empire is the stake, and h
happiness and liberties Of unborn genera
! tinn. frannh he In he hslanras VI