Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-08
nm N, \. Y. H,calns r,.tl


service should be ready fer an advance on
the tWenty-sccond OF February. Il isiust
four weeks since the PrcsideuI-6nding
that the army of the Potomac was not put
IN readiness for any warliEe movement
issued his second general order, command,
ing that this great host should be formed
into army corps, in order to prepare il for
a march upon the enemy. Three weeks
have elapsed since the spirited PrOelama-
ton of General Mcclellan was issued, re-
spending to the impatienee OF the soldierv,
and assuring them that the time had ar
rived when they were Immediately to be
led against the enemy.
The weeks which have thus passed were
weeks which offered Us the greatest ia
dueements 10 aSSail the enemy with iu-
slant, rapid and repeated blows. The
weather since the close Hf February. in the
region occupied by our armies, has been
temperate, the roads in good order, the
forces Of the eaemy yet dispersed and un-
prepared, In the time which has elapsed
they have masSsi their troops IN their
strongest positions, they have pressed new
leries into the service, they have toiled
with the energy of despair to complete
their Qualifications and strengthen their
lines; they have used every exertion To
complete their irou-clad steamers, like
that which dealt such terrible destruction
upon our unfortunate vessels the Gambler
land and Congress The summer heats,
j which arrive much earlier there than here,
are on their way, and the sickly season of
the South is close at hand, when the banks
OF the Mississippi aud the coast of the At
lautie and the Gulf will be unsafe for the
men of the North.
These are facts which we cannot wink
out OF sight if We would, aud which are
made the subject of frequent comment
wherever misconduct of the waris discuss
ed. We do not wish to make them the
ground of any complaint against the gov
ernment, nor would it be reasonable in US
TO do so with the imperfect knowledge
which the puoiic have OF the difficulties
which lie in the way of more energetic
prosecution of the war But NE state
them with view of showing those who
administer the government, If they ever
deign to read the newspapers, that the
people cannot conceal from themselves the
fact that the present state of affairs is
critical; that there is vast deal to DO done
IN very little time, aud that it is the cas-
lest thing in the world, by the mere effect
OF delays for which a plausible reason
may be given, to raiI of crushing the rebel
lion before the summer sets 10, and thus
prolong the war for another year. Wede-
size that the administration should know
l
even the show of unnecessary delay, aud
will warmly support any effort ii NAV
, make, even to the verge of rashness, with
view of euding the war this spring.
Aud, most assuredly, there is scarce auv
sudden and rapid movement which our
army could make to which the charge of
rHshness could be applied. There is room
; for enterprise, room for swift marches, bold
attacks, sudden surprises but, with the
great numbers of our soldiery and with
our vast resources, scarce any room for te-
merity We have an army of more than
, twice the number of that of the rebels
better disciplined and better provided with
weapons than theirs, of more determined
and unttinchiug courage, who always drive
, them from the field when they meet them
in equal numbers. tits computed that The
army of the Potomac alone includes,
within few thousands, as many soldiers
ms the rebels have on foot in all their
different armies and camps.
To those who are inexpert in the art of
war. like ourselves, it seems the obvious
policy of the War Department TO precipi.
tate this mighty force of ours, by the most
expeditions means, upon the rebels in their
; different positions, while the season. which
. Is now most favorable, allows ito hurry
success upon success, and victory upon
a victory. There is nothing so discouraging
! to those who carry on a war as reverses
! suddenly following upon each others heels.
If they are beaten and then allowed time
; to take breath, recover their courage and
: repair the effect of the disaster, they NAV
! go on almost without end. But strike the
/ second blow while the enemy is weak and
! staggering from the effect of the first. and
, deal the third before he RECEIVERS from the
; shock of the second, and he soon loses
both strength and hope, and finds himself
, in mood to submit
! There is one important consideration in
! favor of pressing the rebels with the most
impetuous assaults known to the art OF
war, which has not been much lVelt upon
by those whSehave discussed this subject.
The war has already lasted year, bur the
taxes which are TO defray the cost of the
war are not yet laid. By-and-by, when
the sickly season and the burden of these
new taxes shall arrive together, when the
young men of the North shall begin to
perish by the malaria of an unaccustomed
climate. and the tax-gatherer shall enter
our homes on his unweIcome erraud, the
feeling which is now vague uneasiness
may be heightened to positive discomfort.
aud break out in loud reproaches.
The enemies of the Uuiou nre living in
wait for this opportunity. The entire plan
p Ni'ue course tney mean To pursue is laid
down in the pamphlet, published two
months ago, exposing the designs of the
Knights of tie Golden Circle. Let the
main work Of the war be postponed to an
other winter, and they will have means of
tomentiug disafection which they have
hitherto looked for in vain. Then the
Hsrdtdaud the other organs of that treas
enable association In this city will begin To
clamor for putting an end to :he war, which
has loaded the country with such grievous
burdens and costit so many valuable lives,
and OF which the people have become
thoroughly tired, by compromises with re-
6ellion, aud concessions to the enemies of
the cOnstitutiOn-by any method, in short,