The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-08-28
General Patterson.


returned soldiers, fully vindicates Gen. PAT.
TERsoN from the charges that have been
made against him in this locality:
And now in conclusion let me say few
words in behalf of our brave and skilful
commander, Gen. PATTERSON you have
all seen with what venom some of the news
paper Generals have been endeavoring 10
bring this noble soldier and patriot into dis
credit before the public Much has been
/ said about his tardiness in moving upon
: the enemy, and that had he pressed forward
and attacked the enemy in his strong hold
at Winchester, Gen. Johnson could not have
formed junction with Beaaregard, and the
| fate of Mcdowell would have been rever-
sed at Bull Run.
This looks all very well on paper, but
what are the facts in the case The news
paper heroes forget one thing that is very
important in his particular case; they for
get that the soldier iE order TO be efficient
must be well fed, how food is to bs obtain
ed and transported through an enemy's
country we are not informed, the cry is on
~ forward to Richmond forward to Ma
nassas and forward TO Winchester forgett.
ing those points are many miles from the
depots containing supplies FOR the army,
and making no provisions whatever for
bringing the same forward 10 sustain an ar
my that is moving 20 meet the enemy
It is well known 10 every soldier in the
1lth Regiment that our suPpIy-lrain was
not sufficient to keep the army in provis-
ions over three days. Now had General
Patterson attempted to pursue or haHass
Gen. Johnson on his march towards Man
nassas, it is very evident that our limited
wagon train could not have kept our force
in supplies for such an undertaking, besides
this we could not have spared forced suf
ficient from the main body to protect the
train, consequently it would have fallen an
easy prey 10 the enemy left at Winchester.
The wagon train once lost our army would
soon have been compelled 10 surrender at
discretion.
Again, suppose General Patterson, in
stead OF moving rom Bunker Hill 10 Charles.
Ton, had marched 10 Winchester, what
would have been the consequence think
il would not have required prophet to
have foretold the resnIt; the fact is, had we
marched upon Wine hester our army would
have met with signal defeat; at that place
the enemy was strongly posted, having for
tified himself with curtains, bastions, rifle.
pits and numerous heavy batteries, besides
throwing very formidable distractions in
our line of march. Every approach 10
Winchester was carefully guarded and de-
Tended by an abaiis and heavy artillery
This alone wonld have rendered it impossi-
bic 10 have made successful assault upon
the enemy's works at that time.
The enemy boastingly said give us fair
field and fair fight, It's all we ask. Gen.
Patterson offered hem fair field and free
fight at Hoke's Run Eie again offered them
a battle at Martnsburg, and also Bunker
Hill. He was ready and willing, nay anx-
ious, TO fight them even with an odds of
two 70 one against him, but the chivalry
had no stomach for a fair field or fair fight
Instead of meeting US on fair field for bat
tie they chose TO pursue cour Sc that would
inevitably lead 10 our destruction by mas
king mastery and precipiiats retreats the
enemy sought 10 lure us into the tolls he
had prepared for us. Now had we followed
the Rebel in his retreat from Bunker Hill /
am convinced we would nave been repuls-
ed with great loss but our noble. and pru-
dent commander was not so easily circum-
vented. He knew the object the enemy
had in view, ard also that their force was
double his own both in men ard artillery.
General Patterson therefore acted the part
of a prudent and skillfnl strategst by leaving
the enemy at Winchester 10 enjoy the fruits
Of his labors in the shape OF useless and
expensive baslions and redoubis. Our Gen-
eral has accomplished great deal, he has
rot only saved his entire army with all ihe
camp equipaee, artillery and arms, but also
returns about twenty thousand men who
have had the experience of three months
cam paign, and who are now nearly all ready
TO serve theft country again in The field, and
stand by her until peace is restored and our
Star Spangled Banner floats once more over
our glorious country.
Lo Am WITH YoU.-O! amid that pros
iration of earthly hopes, when unable TO
glance one thought on dark future, when
the stricken spirit, like wounded bird, lies
struggling in The dust, with broken wing
and wailing cry, longing only for pinions
10 fly away from weary world to the rest
and quiet Of the grave; in thai hour OF
earthly desolation, He who has the keys OF
death at His girdIe, nay. who has tasted
death himself, and better still, who hath
conqueredit, draws near in touching ten
deness saying, "Lo | am with you"
will come in the place of your loved ones,
l am with yon to cneer you, to comfort you,