The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-12-17
TERMS --$l.0O PER ANNUM.


whose corps I then belonged--was order
ed to carry the woods on the right, Sum
ner replied that he could not support him
if repulsed (but did not say why) and so
he was ordered to run no risks.
The brave Burnside with the remnant
of 10000 men, without CO ooperation or
support of any kind, went willingly for
ward to the decisive movement of the
great battle Of the war. Hooker, Mans
field, Sumner and Franklin on the right
with 10000 men were ordered to remain
quiet, and merely "hold their own" The
rebel force unoccupied in the centre aud
ou the right, aud in full view of McClel-
Ian, moved like an avalanche upon Burn
side, and drove him from the hill He
fought as bravely as man may fght--but
against impossible odds, he sent word he
could not hold out half an hour longer
unless reinforced. Porter's Corps fresh
and impatient lay in the hollow. They
were reserves, were sorely needed, and
were not sent-but instead word to "ho!d
the ground at any cost, the bridge to tho
last man. Iftbe bridge is lost all is lost"
Burnside strained every nerve-held on
! for dear life-for more than life for his
country. He fought till dark, the enemy
was whipped bat not captured. Thetwo
roads were not carried The soldiers be-
haved nobly. Some of the generals
showed skill and courage of the first or.
der, yet all this vaior aud ability brought
to bear against inferior numbers did not
succeed-did not gain victory worth
the fifteen thousand brave men lost there.
1t was the great opportunity, such an.
o:her may never occur Decisive victory
would have sent Rebellion bowling to the
shades below.
Then too on Thursday much might
have been redeemed by attacking in force.
The enemy were reinforced by $4,000
(whom the bad management at Harpers
Ferry had permitted to come up) and
were now 10000 strong to our 10000
These figures don't lie" they fought all
day Wednesday and held their ground
all day Thursday-by McCIellan's trai-
torous neglect to make the attack either
general or concentrated aud then ieis-
urely walked off on Thursday night and
Friday, aud told their friends they had
whipped US. Our men knew they had
been poorly handled. The army had lost
their confidence in their General The
stormy winds of Antietam had lifted tbs
veil. There was no more "seeing through
a glass darkly but face to face" Cheer
ing FROM that hour was played out. Let
ME say that some Of the semi-seeesh off,
GERS would be glad to get their young gf-
ant back but if the wishes Of the great
masses Of the army, the priyates in the
ranks are respected, what has been done
will stay done.
Wen [ was speaking somewhat of
Washington, It is great place. the Smith
oonlan Institute is my favorte place Of
resort. Fearing a detailed description
might include much that YOU already
know | will pass. Pennsylvania Avenue
is the principal street II is an interest,"
ing spectacle to stand somewhere near
the Washington House and watch the
great human tide as it rolls along, ebhins
and flowing through this great channel
Of life. Perhaps nothing would better
characterize this mottled crowd of all
nationahties, and all characters, than the
one word seeker" Here you see
men seeking honest hyelihoods-but
they are few. Many alas! are seeking
what they will never find, ambitious men
are here seeking Office, officers are here
seeking glory, pale faced, almost broken
hearted wives, sisters and mothers, are
seeking their dearest earthly treasures
among the sick and wounded in the kos-
pitfalls. Ga the faces Of some of these the
rag of hope beams brightly, and on others
1t has almost faded God helm them