Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-09
From the Nr,c York Elprcss.


than Of a battle, beyond the Bulls Run bat
teries-and the record is the most painful
we have ever had to make in our long life,
Of editorial experience The loss of life
must be deplorable, as we'll as the loss Of
war materal-and when we received the
details, we fear they will be agony to fam.
lilies and friends. The public affliction,
however, is now so great that private grief
is all absorbed in the great calamity.
The 'On 10 Richmond nonsense we have
been having from campaign editors, in their
sky-high attics and closets in New York
has doubtless stimulated the President and
his Cabinet, never so deaf as they ought to
be to their own party journalism, to urge
on General Scott to march before he was
ready. Ills plan Of marching in COM
mon onset the three Generals, Mcclellan,
Patterson and Mcdowell, has failed from
the haste in Which Mcdowell has been driv-
en- on to the attack by 'publick Opinion
made in New York city by Republican
journalism, and these operated upon the
Government at Washington.
McDowell's force, it would seem, has
been put to panic and fight by the convic-
ton of his men that Gen. Johnston was
co operating with Gen. Beauregard, and
that it was a fight of one against two, the
two having the protection Of hidden bat
eries pIantedwhcrc foliage and leaves could
cover them. Hence, inexperienced and, in
gool'degrce, uudrilled volunteer troops
we're seized with panic, and, in consc
quence of that panic, artillery, baggage
trains, almost everything, seem to have been
lost, as but few infantry were left to protect
horses or Wagons or teams, or the men in
authority over them. The enemy's cavalry,
Of which we are destitute, doubtless added
to the confusion and the slaughter; and
hence the deplorable tale we read.
This defeat, however, will in no degree
weaken the Northern country or the
Northern people: but, on the contrary, will
arouse them to unparalleled exertions, and
call forth their full strength. 1t is very
true that it will highly encourage the
Southern people also; but the North has
not yet begun to put forth its strength,
while the South is stra inel to the utmost.
From The New York Post.
The rebel force was too great to with
stand, and Gen. Mcdowell has fallen back
upon his entrenchn,ents al Alexandria. The
junction Of Johnston with Bcaurcgard it
was General Patterson's business to pre-
vent. 1t is not right to blame comman-
der without knowing all the circumstances
Which controlled his actions. and we must
remcmtct that all blame of subordinates
falls at last upon the commanderin chief.
Nevertheless, it is impossible not to see that
the army corps Of Patterson has not per-
formed its very important share in the gen.
cral attack, and that in this way only is the
temporary retreat OF our main army
brought about.
Meantime, in the general anxiety we
must remember that the strong Notifications
which Gen. Scott wisely erected opposite
Washington will give our troops rsllyipg
point, where they will make a stand.
OF one thing we may be assured, that
even if, our retreat is rout, it is an impor.
, tant advantage for our troops to have drawn
the rebels out Of their strong positions, ant
placed the onus Of attack upon them
We may now ct oose our own battle-ground
where no masked batteries can annoy US
and, with the reserves, our force will b.
quite sufficient to meet the enemy ant
overcome them.
}, From tie .NeD York World.
The disastrous result of the action was
perhaps, lnevitable-even though no panic
} bad occurred al the close from tbs three
Causes against which the nobfest soldierJ
can never successfully oppose their daring
First, the enemy's force has been largely
underrated, aud nearly doubled our ewp in
number; second, the onus Of ths attack
rested entirely 'upon US, and the natural ant
scientific defences Of the rebels made theil
position almost impseguable; many Of ou
8 leaders displayed famentable want Of mil
itary aknoslsdge. There was little rsa
generashiPT the field. There was no on
to organize our Regiments in strong, swift
d moving columns, and hurl them. powerful.
l. against the foe. Nor wereaha generals q
: division more competent @ stbeir work
9 They exhibited personal. bravery, bat ad
It vantageS gained; were. potseepred; :, impor
= tant points were abandouedaas, ,sooa. as scss
O., ried, aud reckless, fatigaiug pursuit pre-
Q ferred, Unit! psauregard and Davis, ,@wh
Is commanded 10 person, led us on to positior