The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-02-27
A Letter from the Secretary of
War

1t gives him an honorable credit for
his agency in setting our Western col
umns in motion, and organizing Veto
ry.
Mr.. Stanton writes short and feels
ing letter in reply, modestly attribu~
ting all the glory of our recent Veto
ries to the galantry and bravery OF
our officers and soldiers that fought the
battle. the following is the passage
n the Trjbuye's article which called
out the letter from the Secrettry -
While every honest heart rises III
,,ratitude to God Tor the victories
which afford 50 glorious guaranty OF
of the national salvation, let il not be
FORGOTTEN that it IS to Edwin NJ. Stan.
ton more than 10 any other individual
that these suspicious events are now
due. Our Generals in the field ave
done their duty with energy and cour-
age our officers and with them the
TO- noble democracy of the ranks, have
proved themselves worthy sons OF the
Republic but it is by the lmpassion-
ate soul, the sleepless will, and the
great practical talents Of the Secreta-
~ Of War that the vast power OF the
United States has now been hurled
upontheir treacherous ndperjured en-
enies to crush them to powder. Let
no man imagine thai we eXalt this
great Statesman above his deserts, or
that we would detract aniota fr0mthat
share of glory which in this moment.
ouy crisis belongs to every faithful par
ticipator in the events OF this war. But
we cannot overlook the fact that
whereas but the other day all was
doubt. distrust, and uncertainty; the
nation despairing almost OF Its own
restoration to life; Congress the seat
OF bitter imputatlons and unsatlsfacto
nv apologies the army sluggish, dis
contented, and deeaying; and the
abyss ofruin and disgrace yawning to
swallow us-now all is inspiration,
movement, victory, and confidence.
We seem to have passed into another
state of existence, 10 live with distinct
purposes, and to feel the certainty OF
their realization.
The letter of Mr.. Stanton is as fol-
lows:
WAsHIN TON, Feb. Is, 1862.
70 the Editor, n Y. Tribune
SIR: cannot suffer undue nj crit
to be ascribed to my official conduct.
The glory of our recent victories be-
longs to the gallant officers and sold
iers that fought the battles. No share
Of it belongs to me.
Much has lately been said Of militia
~ combinations and organizing VIC
tory. / hear such phrases with apPre-
hension. They commenced IN lnlde
France with the Italian campaign, and
resulted in Waterloo. Who can or
ganize victory? Who can combine
the clements Of success on the battle
field We owe our recent victories
10 the Spirit Of the Lord, that moved
our soldiers TO rush into baUtle, and
filed the hearts OF our enemies with
terror and dismay. The inspiration
that conquered in battle WAS in the
hearts OF the sol Tiers and.trOm on high;
and wherever there is the same inspl-
ration there will be the same results.
Patriotic spirit, with rsolute courage
in officers and men, is n military com
binaliOn that never tailed.
We may well rejoice at the recent
victories, for they teach us that battles
are to be won now and by us in the
same and only manner that they were
ever won by any people, or III any age
since the days oil Joshua, by boldly
pcrsuing and striking the foe. W hat,
under the blessing Of Providence,
conceive to be The tue organization
OF victory aud military combination to
end this war, was declared in Il few
words by Gen Grants message to
Gen. Buckner-" I propose TO more
Immediately on your ao0rh'S
Yours truly, EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
The Tribune makes some very APP
propriate comments on the above let
ter, viz:
The profound modesty and unatfec-
ted religious feeling OF 1Ir. Stanton do
him more honor than any laud alton
that even the voice Of Historical JUS
tice herself could beStow upon him. He
is right too. 1t is to the men who
fought and who won on that bloody
field, that, under God, the glory OF the
victory belongs. But for their skill
and valo. their devotion and herOism,
the wisest preparations and the most
truly inspired resolves of all others had
proved " orthess But we, whose OF
lice it is, rs tar as possible, not alone
TO chronicle the facts Of this great war,
but also to evolve for our readers their
inner relations and moving causes, and
10 cxtrieate the real truth Of events
from the taiIaeious pretenslons and APP
pearances with which party spirit and
individual ambition often conspireS to
envelop them, must still remember
that, lghcreaS tie Mutton lguS bit luke-
IA at tie gerry point ~ death, it now
stands forth in the plentitude of new
life and power, and whereas the peo~
pie were full Of doubt and almost OF
despair, they now breathe nothing but
hope and confidence. For cnange
So mighty any noble aud conscientious
spirit must naturally shrink from claim
mg any personal merit, aScrlblng 1t to
God and the people alone. i}ut we
still believe that impartial history will
here after record this suspicious trans
formation as not only cotemporaneous
with the Secretary's accession to Mr..
Liucoln's cabinet, but as bearing to it
amuch more vital relation. And We
here once more declare it as our sober
Judgment that, ii Dir. Stanton has not
organized victory, he has at least IN.
J0uad Il, ultd set II M motion.
Price Again Cleaned osgt by Gass.
Curtis.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 25'-Dispatches re
ccIyea at the nendnuNrLers OF the De-