Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1862-09-26
CLOSE Ols THE EvENTFUt. GAM.
PAIGN I'm MARYLAND.
IChicaro In,rral 2Ofh inst l
[Chicago Journal, goth inst

The rebel army, after being defeated in a
series Of hard fought engagements among the
hills Of Maryland, have been beaten back
across the Potomac into Virginia. 1t was
hoped that at last portion, If not all, Of this
army Of invaders would be either completely
DESTROYED or captured before re-crossing into
Virginia, and our Generals and their troops
certainly strove hard enough to accomplish
SO desired q result. But when VIC heard
that the several divisions of the rebel forces
had been masscd and consolidated for one
desperate effort at resistance, the most we
could reasonably except was that they would
be badly cut up, defeated and driven out
and this has been done effectually. For one
Qreat army to surround and capture another
army equally great, while in battle array and
while terrific conflict is progressing along
the entire lines, is next to an iInpossbility.
The thing has never yet been done, in the
history Of wars, except where fortified ar
my has been compelled to capitulate or sur
render after an exhaustive siege. A great
army mar surround, and capture = small ar
my, by well executed strategy, but it is as
difficult for one great army to surround and
capture another great army that is well post
ed and under good generalship, rs it is to
place one ring inside another ring Of equal
size, especially when the base of the pursued
army rests upon fordable river, as in this
case. However, had not Harper's Ferry
been so unnecessarily surrendered to the en- |
envy, we have no doubt that we should have
captured large portion of their army.
The great purpose of the northward dash
Of this desperate rebel host has been COM
pletcly frustrated. The Rebel Congress
few days ago, after spirited debate, in
which tie Southern reptile was transformed
into spread eagle, declared and decrced that |
their armies should invade the North, and
transfer the war from Southern to Northern |
soil. Lee, jackson and Longstreet under !
took to carry out the new policy" They |
rushed furiously into my Maryland" and
were preparing to invade Pennsylvania
But McClellsn's great army was at their heels
sooner than they anticipated, and they heard
Federal bullets whistling about their ears be-
fore rebel foot desecrated the soil Of free
State, and though it must be confessed that
they fought furiously to maintain their new
position in Maryland, yet after half week
Of battles, in which they lost probably At
least third Of their army, We now see them
once more in Virginia, skedaddlng south
ward towards Richmond, which place, how
ever, they will hardly ever reach again.
Heintzelnlan and Sigel are in all probability
now moving up from below to intercept their
retreat, while Mcclellan is still pressing their
rear, and they stand better chance Of being
surrounded or destroyed now, in the Valley
of the Shenandoah, than they did on the Po-
tomac. This conflict, SO terrifically conduct
cd in Maryland, will now, we predict, be re-
opened in Virginia with even greater fury.
Thus far we can well be satisfied with what
has been accomplished. As Mcclellan said
in his dispatches yesterday, Pennsylvania
and Maryland are SAFE" but the retreating
rebel army is not safe. 1t has been weaken
ed by losses which it cannot replace, and de.
moralized by retreats and defeats which it
cannot recover.
All honor to the brave and gallant officers
and soldiers Of the Union, who have toilcd
and battled SO valiantly and suffered so
severely in the late rapid marches and deadly
conflicts. To the dead, grateful country
will erect memorials Of honor and praise and
gratitude. To the living, every loyal heart
speaks in words Of thankfulncss an earnest
" God bless you"