Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-10-29
WHY NOT STRIKE


The Washington lntsligeneer contains a capi- |
tai letter, written from that city by "an eminent
gentleman of Ohio" to Western journal. From
the letter we take The following extract. 1t an
sweIs at once the many questions which are
daily put, in reference to our army move
ments;-
Some think We should attack the Southern
states at different points, and by our doing this
they would be led, in self-defenoe, to draw away
their troops from before Washington. Suppose
all this should be done, what would be gained
Would the number Of the enemy be any less
Would they have less materials OF war? Would
il be easier for us TO fight aud overcome them
divided among the different States, than il Is TO
fight them all gathered at one point in one State
aud near usG Surely, if we cannot overcome
them where they are, aud where our army is,
and the chief of our materials of war, We cannot
follow them into different States, transporting
our Amy in divisions and our war materials
hundreds Of miles through hostile country, aud
tnen 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,
aud various hiding places Nothing has induced
valor, their under. estimate Of our courage. md
their desire 10 take possession OF the Capital Of
the Nation for the purpose Of inducing foreign
nations to acknowledge their independence. Iu
coming here to fight us, surely they give us
great advantage. Though appearances would
indicate that they have now given up tue idea o
taking tue Capital, yet they cannot retire in th,
face Of our army and watchfu Generals withou
losing much OF their material of war, demoraliz
| hair Ivtub
their retreat.
have noticed a growing impotence to hav
Mcclellan take the offensive aud attack tn
enemy. Let us look at this matter calmly
Remember that il is only little more than tw
months and half since the battle of Bull Ru
was fought and he was called to this command
lie found this city without a single battery 70
its protection on the east and north side of lii
Potomac, and those on the Virginia side far froi
being perfected or properly manned. He foun
beaten, demOralized, and, might truly say
! many cases, disbnnded and lawless soldiery-
Many Of these were three months men, who,
time had expired, or was about expiring.
8 the remainder and such new recruits as could
r gathered in, he had to form new army in Il
:, face Of victorious enemy. He had to impro
the morale of these troops, instll into them
martial spirit, and bring officers and men und
i, strict discipline. lie had to build forts. pla
marching foe, flushed with victory. The Capt.
IN Of the country and the immense materials DO
,e for the army and the navy gathered here had
be saved at all hazard. He called for troo
III from all parts-North, East, and West, and I
r. country responded nobly to the call By
10 knowledge, his skill, his incessnut labor Il
Ia indomitable energy, and the cooperation Of I
Government aud the people, he has brought
" der out Of chaos and made the Capital safe
| nf nn1u brt i.
l. assumed the offensive, and. moving on careful
but steadily, occupies important positions frC
+ which the enemy has retired at his approach.
Of Yesterday he offered the enemy battle, but
- did not feel disposed to accept
He Will continue to move forward, and d
cisive battle must, in oil probability, be
r result. That battle fought, If the enemy be d
l. feated. as il is hoped and believed he will be,
will not be difficult to clear Virginia, Kentuck
and Missouri of the rebels, and enter Easte
% Tennessee with victorious army. The easi,
If aud best way TO whip the enemy in these Stat
- is to gain victory over the enemy before Was
e ington.
e Many have been disposed to critoise Al
grumDle at Gen. MeClellan's movements here
Some, in their great wisdom and assumed III
piFage, have not hesitated to pronounce senten
= Oh condemnation They were filled with asto
e ishment when he permitted Munson's Hill to
g occupied by the enemy. They exclaimed wi
N horror at the reported close of the navigation
. the Potomac When the enemy came up with
chip on his shoulder and dared Mcclellan
q knock it Of, they wanted him to knock it off nj
/ knock him down at once. They wanted him
Il assume the offensive sooner, and now that
- has assumed il they want bin to move on mo
speedily. Did these men know where Munson
IS Hill is, and Of how little Importance was
possession by the enemy either to them or
u Mcclellan? No. Do they know now The uui
er ber 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 as bet
:, capable of judging of what Gen. McClel
'e should do, when he should march, when, whe
nd and how he should attack the enemy, than G
EAR Scott, Gen. Mcclellan AMI all their officers, h
his at the fountain of information, with all tn
=. military knowledge and experience.