The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-07-25
kenOsha, Thursday, July25, 1861.
Our First Great Disns.er.

Our First Gsrent Disaster.
We devote considerable space in our this
weeks paper to the telegraphic accounts of the
victory and disastrous defeat Of the Union
arms at Bulls Run, near Manassas Junction.
The victory on Sunday, however, is swallowed
up in the greater defeat that soon followed it.
The first account, putting our loss at from A.
900 to 5000 killed with all the batteries taken,
cast general gloom over the city. Monday
evening" the only topic, everywhere was the
terrible disaster. Although it then seemed ten
times worse than later accounts make it, yet
there seemed to be but one feeling among our
loyal citizens, and that was one Of firmer deter
mination than ever, to stand by the Constitu-
ton and the Union
So long as the war progresses with reasona-
bic speed and all seems to be going on smooth
ly and success crowning each effort of our arms
thousands of cur citizens appear listless and
careless, but let a serious reverse like the pres
ent, come, and their patriotism is aroused The
Union aud the Government seem to have be-
come a thousand times dearer when it seems to
be in real jeopardy. 1t may be that few reVer-
ses are necessary to arouse the dormant ener-
gies and fan into new life the slumbering fires
of patriotism In every group discussing the
disaster, there is evident only brighter light
in the eye and frmer determination on the
brow There may be temporary shock at the
disaster, but there is no sign ffear or disheart-
ening as to the final result of the great strug-
gle. The Federal troops must conquer, the I'm
ion must be preserved, and the Constitution and
the Laws must be indicated.
Il may be that this disaster will change the
character of the war somewhat on our side, and
make it more stern and vindictive than it has
hitherto been. In the confidence ofour strength
and the moral power Of our cause, we have
shown magnanimity and forbearance towards
the traitors and rebels that was never before
known We have allowed our enemies and
the enemies of the Government all the oppor-
tunities to mature their own plans in secresy,
while they had full knowledge fall our plans,
and even helped 10 form them. In every
neighborhood there may be and are open and
aVowed Secessionists, aiding the rebels in every
H~NSSANNSAS
every movement made, and dissuading men
from voluntee ring, and they are still treated as
friends and neighbors, rnd admitted freely and
unreservedly into all our condolences. In Con-
gress and in our State Legislatures, we suffer
the same latitude Of treason. Under the priv
lege of Free Speech and Free Press, we suf
fer the enemy to establish her spies and advo-
Gates, to preach, write and publish whatever
they think may best subserve the cause of Sc.
cession and treason. We say it may be that
such disaster and retreat as that we have lust
suffered may open the eyes of loyal men and of
the Government TO the necessity of different
course.
1t is an ascertained fac that for long time
past, certainly before tn c open movement was
made towards Secession, all through the Slave
holding States systematic movement has been
made to drive out or make away with every dis
affected person, and every person having or
suspected of having any Prcditection for the
free institutions of the Norihen States For
this purpose a secret society has been for years
existing in the Slave States, having its ramih-
cations in every parish and school district
whose main object was to hunt out and report
suspected persons, to play The spy upon stran.
gers, and to prevent the circulation ofNorthern
publications. This accounts for the number Of
Northern men who have been hung or cruelty
maltreated and sent out Of the country. In this
way the rebellion has been brought to a perfec-
ton and formidableneSs hardly suspected by
the Northern people. In spite of all reconnoi-
tering and attempts of our army to find out the
strength and position of the rebels at Manassas,
it now seems that they knew nothing at all of
the real state Of things. Oar army marched com
paratively in the dark, and at the mercy of the
enemy, who knew beforehand of every move
ment intended and the exact force that was to
march against them. I. cannot but be seen
that this state of things leaves US at great dis
advantage in the conflict few more disas-
tiers Of this character will compel US to change
our tactics and treat our enemies as such
One thing, however, the spies and secession
lists in our midst will have to inform their
friends that will not be altogether agreeable
They must tell them that the defeat we have
sustained has no effect to disbeaften or discour-
age the true friends of the Government They
never were more unanimously determined upon
the utter extinction of the last vestge of the
vile secession heresy from the land, than they
are to-day. So far from being discouraged or
dismayed, hundred thousand volunteers will
flock to the field, who before had not thought
OF becoming soldiers The spirit of Washing
ton, Jefferson, Adams, and host of Revou-
tionary sires are crying to us from the unseen
world, to rally as one man for the maintenance
of cur liberties, the preservation of the glorious
heritage they have handed down to US from the
past.
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