The national Republican., 1861-07-31
MILITARY HISTORY.

MILITARY HISTORY.
The Boston Journal, of July 25 publishes
the first Of series Of papers wtten in this city,
under the caption of "the Administration and
its Detractors," and evidently by some person
having access to many Of the military facts
which will constitute the history Of the present
war. The Journal announces this series Of
papers in the following way
I'VE call particular attention to q series oi
probably three letters, in explanation of the war
| policy Of the Government, the first Of which we
| publish to-day. They will be found very inter.
esting at this time, and, what is better, strictly
reliable. 1t will be seen from the statements Of
the writer, that his relation with members of the
Cabinet and other members of the Government
enable him to speak intelligently upon the i'm.
portant topics he discusses, and to bring out
much information that is new to the public
mind. We can guaranty his integrity in all
that he assumes to report, while the importance
Of his views and the ability of his arguments
| speak for themselves
The first of this series of papers is dated here
on Thursday, July ls, being the day following
that on which the advance commenced. The
writer says:
Patterson is reputed to be heavy and slow.
He was SO in Mexico. He has a bad prestige.
Up to Tuesday last, he was detained from ad.
vancing by positive orders. Since then he has
been master of himself and if he prove incom.
petent, the same true devotion to the country's
interest that has hitherto kept him back will not
hesitate to supersede him.
1t was, of course, known here that General
Patterson had been acting under the immediate
orders of General Scott, and that these orders
had restrained him from engaging the enemy
down to very late date. If this writer is to
be relied upon, the precise date at which Gen.
erai Patterson was allowed liberty to act, was
Tuesday, the 10th of July. According to this
version, he vas, at that time, merely authorized
to act Extensively, and not positively ordered to
do so, as has been represented in some reports.
Which is the true version, we dc not affect to
know.
This writer says further:
But now the causes of delay are over. The
armies are provided for. No necessity will exist
for halts, waits, retrogrades, The magic word
Fortoard! has issued from the lips Of the Lieu.
tenant General; and our brave thousands have
SaEctiy SWcpt OuWdEu W tue SEebt COutcSt WIN
the traitors to their country. How puerile, as
we'll as base, in view of this grand advance-the
evident elimination of long cherished and earn
est plans, initiated at the first favorable mo.
ment-do the denunciations of the Administra.
ton appear! What an imposing strength, an
irresistible momentum, glorious prestige, is as
sociated with vast army, that moves, like this
one, thoroughly prepared! We shall conquer,
because caution that has had no slightest in
fusion ofincompetence, or pusillanimity, backed
up by the consummate bravery, the sense of
right, and the prompt intelligence of our sol.
diers, has organized victory! There may be
great bloodshed-there may be partial disaster
with raw troops and raw officers reverses must
occasionally be anticipated. But the end will
be overwhelming victory. And in that day the
sterling common sense and justice of the people
will mete out 10 a competent Administration
and Commander who are devoted to their in,
| terests, the applause they merit, and visit on
the heads Of their detrsctors the retrbution Of
contempt and scorn!
This extract co nfrms the belief, that the
military authorities here did not move until
they considered themselves fully prepared
The confusion Of statements on this point,
has resulted from confounding two things en-.
ehSiJ uioe'hSt thc huNduCc upOu nlch-
mond, and the lighting Of this particular battle
| Of July Il.
General Scott was notorously opposed to the
advance upon Richmond, and in that particular
| he had been overruled By the President. But
| the advance being ordered, its conduct was in
trusted to the management of General Scott,
and he was not restrained by superior authori.
ty, either as to attacking Bull Run at all, or as
to the time of attacking it.
1t is thus by separating things improperly
confounded, that the country will arrive at q
correct idea of the history of events and of the
proper responsibility of official persons.
That for the intended advance upon Rich
mond, rests upon the President and the politi
cal Administration.
That for the battle of July 81, rests upon the
military authorities, who took their own time
and manner, and were not interfered with, in
nny way or degree whatever, either by restraint,
or precipitation.
A SECESSION FLAG IN New YoRK.-Captain
McVicar, of the New York Mounted Rifles, in
passing down Wooster street on Saturday last,
noticed secession flag flying from the window
OF tenement house, No. 205. In company
with two officers of the 18th ward police, he as.
4 ccnded to the room and forced the proprietor
OF the Objectionable rag to take it in. The fel-
10" tore 1t IN pieces rather than give it up, and
said he only made it to amuse his children.
How SOUTHERN PEoPLE ARE DECEIVED
a gentleman arrived in Northampton, Mass.
last week from Mississippi. He was greatly
n,stonlshed, on reaching theloyal States, to know
mat congress was still in session at Washing.
ton, the prevailing opinion at the South being
i that the gent Of GnuarnInart lal l....