The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-09-04
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 4

Is, but SO confused and often unintelligi1le are
the dispatches, that it may be well to glance
over the field, and see what is the position of
affairs.
All eyes are now turned mainly towards Vir-
ginia, for there is pitted che strength of both
the federal and rebel forces for a grand struggle.
After looking at the six days battles before
Richmond in the most favorable light we can,
and after reading the minute and glowing de-
scriptiOns found in the Eastern papers, there is
no resisting the conviction that it was decidedly
a repulse OF the Union army, o~verpOwered by
the greater army brought against it. 1t was
not a defeat, but a retreat, which had already
been decided on by Gen. Mcclellan. before the
attack commenced, and one Of the most success
full retreats that the history Of warfare will record.
The rebels had lS5 900 men in action, according
TO their own accounts, and lost 80, 900 men.
The Union army consisted of IS, 900 men,
they lost in the six days battles l,5OO killed,
G,0OO wounded, and $500 prisoners, making
a total Of IL 900. This battle of six DAVIS
before Richmond will constitute one of the most
remarkable battles on record. The obstinacy
shown in the fighting, the bravery of both armies,
and the suiierings of the soldiers form a most
heart-rending picture. The rebels fully expected
~ ~" hNAAA ehHA IA Ni AClAdu . sihJ ny
superiority in numbers, but signally failed in the
attempt.
The result of the battle SO far as the South is
concerned, is unquestionably in its favor, and
will tend temporarily to increase its hopes of
success and inspire it's soldiers with new enthu-
siasm. On the side of the North, it has shown
the necessity of a largely increased army, and
ere this, there are not less than 500 900 in it's
service. There can hardly be a doubt that there
will be conferred in Virginia before the first of
October not less than 100000 Union soldiers.
The President has been authorized by Congress
to call out at his discretion the entire militia of
the United States. Tables published in the New
York Herald of July 81, give some figures regard
ing the population and militia of the Union,
which show the overwhelming strength of the
North, if it be all called out
10 Loyal free States. R 1gSdais9 1866 nts5t &c.
5 Loyal slave States, .--..--..-...-. 3.24469s 29s,119
J,S72,,270 5i7,557
This is the most concise and convincing exhibit
OF the relative strength of the two sections that
we have seen in print, and shows a difference in
favor of the loyal States, in population of 49,
Cos ,623; and in militia, of 1900, $50. The
great trouble with the North is that its power
has not been drawn Quits government has
been holding back the people, till now it feels
the necessity of calling out more power. On
the other hand, the South has been fully reused
and has enrolled by force every man from 16 to
40 years old capable of bearing arms. Thus the
struggle promises to be prolonged for some time
yet.
The latest advices relating to M'Clellan's army,
which are very brief and contradictory, report
as having evacuated Harrison's landing and
moved his entire forces to Williamsburg on the
peninsula, some miles north of Yorktown, and
sixty miles from Richmond, as appears by the
following telegram
FORTRESS MONROE, August 16.-The Union troops
Hlrrison's Landing at 8 o'clock this
and about the same time McClellan's adj
vance arrived at Williamsburg. The public proper
~ was all removed. All quiet.
This is probably correct, but some will question
is reliability. If it is true, it will undoubtedly
prove to be a ruse to entice the rebels north of
1t will be remembered that there
we're reports of their evacuating that city and
moving south of the James. MClellan's move
it appears TO us, may be to draw them
North, while he as suddenly moves his forces
lgain south of the James river, perhaps via Nor
ok, thence to Suffolk, and thence to Petersburg
all by railway, and takes his position there
DNtA VI iAC III cutting Ou lLcIE avenues
If retreat southwark, as well as their sources for
supplies, and placing them between
Pope and Burnside's armies on the North and
his own army on the South. If the Union
already in Virginia are reinforced by the
600 soldiers lately called out, our readers
judge of the trap into which the rebels may
e soon enticed and caught. If however, they
hould conclude TO move south of Richmond,
ccording to the late reports, and occupy Peters
,urg, 1t might Illustrate M'Clealan's plans. We
nay be mistaken in the view taken of the singu-
ar movements of the army under Mcclellan, but
his appears TO be a very plausible explanation.
From Central Virginia, the reports say that
mother battle was likely to occur between Jack
forces, numbering from 10000 to 90, 900
nd Pope's army near Gordonsyille. But Z" Stone a..
ALL jackson is a very slippery fellow, and We
Mould not be at all surprised to hear of his dart
~ again up the Shenandoah Valley via the
harlottsville and Staunton Railroad, and Great
u another fever around Washington. 1t would l
e a very risky undertaking, to leave Pope's |
rmy in his rear, but he appears TO delight in
lch moves. At the latest dates Pope's army
as resting on the North bank of the Rapidan +
ream, some eight miles north of Gordonsyille, =
here the rebels are reported as being in force. =
5 he was expecting to move forward, We shall .
ar of an engagement or retreat by the first '
rival. We cannot learn from the papers the n
OF Pope's army, as no reports of 1t have "