The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-31
Another Incompetent General

The Cincinnati Gazette gives the following
statement of the manner in which Gen. Hill. OF
Ohio, exhibited his incompetency a, a military
| commander:
| At Grafton. Oh Saturday morning, Gen. Iilll
received notice from Gen. Mcclellan that Gar
netts defeated forces were in retreat for the
Cheat River Pass, and ordering him to intercept
them By the map it will be seen that the
Northwestern Virginia turnpike runs through
Grafton east to Romncy and that few miles
west of Grafton another road DIVORCES from the
| turnpike, running southeast through 81. George.
and then northeast until it joins the turnpike
again about thirty-iiyc miles east Of Grafton, III
the southwest point of Maryland. At st. George
| the point of widest divergence, these roads are
/ about eight miles apart. One of these roads the
rebels must take in their retreat east; aud I'M
less some obstacle interposcd, would naturally
| take the south one the nearest. a they did
probably. at st. George.
| The railroad runs north of both these roads
Oakland. Md. on the railroad, is eight miles
due north of Red House-the junction Of the
roads. At Red House. of course an intercepting
| force would bold the outlet east of both roads
Gen. Hill, with part Of his command. with or
ders for others to follow, took the railroad to
Oakland on Saturday, arriving at about nine
o'clock in the evening. \ march of eight miles
across to Red House would have cut off the re-
treat of the rebels. But Gen. Hill ordered Col
| Irvine across to West Union on the north road
seven or eight miles west of the junction. and
with the main body OF his forces took up hi
quarters for the night at Oakland. As the reb-
els were not retreating by the north road, the
strategic object of Col. IryIncs position there
is not clear.
Gen. Hill remained at Oakland, on Sunday
y. IL Il
told him that the rebel troops, numbering about
two thousand, had passed he Red House juno
ton at seven o'clock that morning. much dis
dressed and worn out by their rapid retreat
General Hill at once ordered his troops on thu
march, and such was the eagerness of the mel
that they arrived mt Red House 10y clever
o'clock, and from thence continued the pursui
east. overhaulins many of the rebels who had
| thrown themselves down by the roadside from
utter exhaustion.
After following them east from Red Hous'
about seven miles. the cavalry in the advance
brought back word that the rebels were only
about three miles ahead in full retreat. UpoI
this Gen Hill ordered halt and then a marcl
back to Red House. The only reason given wa
that the men were too much tatigued 10 contin
ne the pursuit. In this opinion be differed will
every one of the men. and their difference o
opinion was expressed all the way back in curse
and jcers. finally eXhau-ting themselves in tn
forlorn joke that il was all right, for the Gene
raj knew it was Sunday. though they had for
gotten it.
}, To rest bis men, too much fatigued to pursu
the enemy. Gen. Hill marched them back +
Red House. seven miles. Leaving them there
he returned the same day to Oakland whcr
other troops of his command had arrived. III
E remained at Oakland till Monday afternoon
when he again started the march in pursuit owe
the same route. but as. by this time. in order t
Overtake the rebels, it would he necessary t
continue the pursuit into the Valley of Virginia
, and as it ght interfere with Gen. SCOTS stra
:, egc plans to have General Hill carry ont sue
n campaign just at that time, it was considerc
best To restrain his ardOr.