Weekly Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-01
Mi 4
WHY NOT STRIKE


The Washington Inteiligencer contains capt
al letter, written from that city by san eminent ,
gentleman Of Ohio" to Western journal. From
the letter We take the following extract. 1t an
ssers at once the many questions which are
daily put, in reference to our army move.
IL w faf H
Some think VIC should attack the Southern
States ut different points, and by our doing this
they would be led, In aelf-defence, to draw away
their troops from before Washington. Suppose
all this should be done, what would be gained
Would tho humber Of the enemy he any less |
Would they have less materials OF war? Would |
IL be easier for us to fight and overcome them
divided among the different States, than II is to
fight them all gathered at one point in one State
and near us Surely, il we cannot overcome
them where they are, and where our army is,
and the chief Of our matefials of war, We caunot
follow them into different States, transporting
our amy in divisions and our war muterials
hundreds Of miles through hostile country, and
teen fight and whip them among their own peo-
pie, in their own climate, and at their own
doors. We should rejoice that they have gath
cred their hosts together where they are, instead
Of compelling us to transport our troops to them
and hunt them up in their swamps, mountains,
and various hiding places. Nothing has induced
them to do this but their over. estimate OF their
vaor, their under. estimate Of our courage, and
their desire 10 take possession OF the Capital Of
, the Nation for the purpose Of inducing foreign
nations to acknowledge their independence. In
coming here to fight US, surely they give us
great advantage. Though appearances would
Indicate that they have now given up the idea u
i taking the Capital, yet they cannot retire in til,
9 face OF our army aud watchful Generals withou
losing much OF their material OF war, demoraliz
! ing their troops, aud riskiug n battle while OF
l., their retreat.
have noticed growing impotence to hay
o Mcclellan take tho offensive and attack thi
a enemy. Let us look at this matter calmly -
Remember that it is only little more than tw,
months and a half since the battle of Bull Hui
was fought and he was called to this command
He found this city without single battery foi
its protection on the east and north side of the
Potomac, end those on the Virginia side far from
: being perfected or properly Manned He fount
= beaten, demoralized, and, might truly say il
n many cases. disbanded and lawless soldiery.-
Many of these were three months men, who's,
time had expired, or was about expiriaE. u
Is the remainder and such new recruits as could b,
r gathered in, he had 10 form new army in The
. face Of u victorious enemy. lie had to improve
" the morale of these troops, instill into them
martial spirit, and bring officers aud men under
a strict discipline. He had to build forts, plan
e batteries, and station troops to resist m onwart
marching foe, flushed with victory. The Capita
n Of the country and the immense materials bltt
a for the army and the navy gathered here had t,
y be saved at all hazard lie called for troop
c from all parts-Norih, East, ami West, aud til,
r, country responded uoby to the call By iii
, knowledge, bis skill, his incessant labor, an,
indomitahle energy, and the cooperation Of til,
" Government and the people, he has brought or
y der out Of chaos aud made the Capital safe be
yOnd contingency Not only so, but he hl
, assumed the offensive, and, moving on CAREFUL,
= but steadily, occupies important positions from
+ which the enemy has retire ut his approach -
Of Yesterday he offered the enemy battle, but h
- did not feel disposed to accept.
- lie will continue to move forward, and a lie
L cisiye battle must, in all probability, he III
lr result. That battle fought, II the enemy be de
l fcated, MS it is hoped and believed he will be,
will not be difficult to clear Vrginia, Kentucky
and Missouri of the rebels, aud enter Faster
TO Tennessee with victorious army. The easios
of aud best way to whip the enemy in these State
he is to gain victory over the enemy before Wash
NV ington.
he Many have been disposed to criticise nm
grumble Mt Gen. McClelans movements here-
ID. Some, in their great wisdom aud assumed ur
pirAge, nave not hesiated tn pronounce sentenC
rt, of condemnation. They were filed with nsloi
The shment when he permitted Munsons Hill to /
ing occupied by the enemy. They exclaimed vii
In horror at the reported close of the navigation
thN AptviHhus hntt llt cuVlfy chule up WIN
chip on bis shoulder and dared Mcclellan
knock it Oh, they wanted him TO knock it off nj
on knock him down at once. They wanted him
~, assume the offensive sooner, ard now that
"" has assumed il they want him to move on mo
speedily. Dld these men know where Munsol
vas Hill is, and Of how little Importance was
possession by the enemy either to them or
OF Mcclellan? No. Do they know now The nui
der her of the enemy's troops and their cannon,
the enemy's position? No. Can they even t.
the number Of our own troops, or how equippe
or how advanced in military discipline N
.,. And yet these men set themselves up ms bett
bile should do. when he sboulj marcel whom Who,
md and how he should attack the enemy, than Ge
car Scott, Gen. Mcclellan, aul all their officers he
lis at the fountain of information, with all thu
us military knowledge and experience.