The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-09-23
The Poei6oN.

Our people have been spoiled 80 thoroughly
BY the constant succession OF victories that
have marked the progress of our arms tor the
last four months, that they bear even the ap'
pesrsnce OF q reverse with less patience than
we had right to expect from the same men
whose noble fortitude, al time when our CIT!
Was actually beleaguered by the enemy, made
them the admiration OF the world. II Is pro-
per. then. to institute an examination into the
facts of our position, in order to ascertain
what real ground there may be for discourage
ment in the present state Of affairs.
II appears, then, that on Sunday, i4,h Sep
TENDER, the corps of d. II. Hill was attacked
by the entire force Of Mcclellan; that after nn
obstinate Resistance, one wing was forced to
give ground; that it retired slowly, fighting As
Il fell back, and was never routed; that it was
reinforced by Longstreet, recovered all Ii had
lost, and slept upon the field of battle; that
Gen. Lee having come up, removed the TWO
CORPS to 4 position in the rear at Sharpsburg;
that Monday and Tuesday were spent IN can
nonading at long taw /; that on "Wednesday
general battle was fought, in which Gen. Lee
Thursday evening, perfectly nj his leisure, ne
withdrew his army across the Potomac, with
out being molested by the enemy. This last
saet il sufficient 10 prove that he could not al
least have been very badly beaten; for the
Yankee napers, anticipating such movements
unclaimed in advance that he would certainly
be destroyed in attempting to pass that river.
But there are other facts to show that he by
no means withdrew because he was beaten
A young officer who was in the battle OF Wed
nesday, and who came to this city Sunday III
charge of the remains of Gen. Starke, who was
killed says that our army slept on the field
Wednesday night, fully expecting, and fully
prepared to attack the enemy next morning
hut when morning came be was nowhere I" he
seen. He had aba ndoned all his positions and
Jeff fur parts unknown Not man was 10 he
.seen Scouts sent out in various directions.
were unable to procure any tidings OF bim.-
TIE woods were shelled iu all directions, but
without any effect. 1t was evident, then, that
he had gone of in the night Had either
sneaked of Berkeley fashion, or had with
drawn to operate on some other portion OF our
line. Gen Lee believed he had passed his
flank, to make a movement on Harper's Ferry
and get in his rear He resolved TO anticipate
him. He therefore fell back 10 q position on
this side of the river, where he is prepared TO
,hwart any movement he may attempt TO make
Surely, there is nothing like Il check, far less a
defeat, in all this On the contrary, it evi-
dent that We ware victorious on Wednesday
We acted Oh the defensive. The enemy tried
8 whole day to drive US from our position He
utterly failed. We held our position and slept
on the ground, ready TO renew the contest the
next day He not only made no more attempts
10 drive us from our position, but abandoned
his own in IL night, with every appearance
OF having despaired of beating us. II was a
renewal OF the incidents recorded Of the battle
Of Monmouth in the revolutionary war, when
our. troops slept on their arms, and found The
British gone in the morning. Yet Monmouth
has always been regarded as an American vie
tory. Our total loss in the battle is set down
1t 5000, probably an exaggerated estimate
which would cover the entire casualties from
Sunday to "Wednesday night inclusive. That
Of the enemy 10 stated by eye-witnesses 10
have been several times greater. 1t should
not be omitted that Mcclellan left his dead and
wounded behind him-a sure proof that he
was defeated.
Our people are disappointed because we did
not gain victory as decisive as those around
Richmond and at Manassas. They cannot ex.
pecf such victories always. II should be recol
lectsd that the great object of the operations
in Maryland was the capture Of the Yankee
army Of the Valley. That object was triumph
antly accomplished. The whole army fell into
oar hands--lI 600 men in condition for service
AS officers, 3 pieces of cannon, an enormous
quantity Of ammunition, 900 wagons, ] 500
horses, and 600 runaway negroes. II should
also be remembered, that this capture was effect
cd, inspite Of the attempts Of Mcclellan, with
his whole force, 10 prevent il. Surely, he must
b . very exacting man who would require
greater results from tue operations of ten days
They are among the most brilliant Of which
wehsye any account, in any part Of the world
They incomparably surpass tho boosted
achievement Of Fon Doneison, over which all
Ysnkeedom went absolutely mad. The whole
number Of prisoners taken at Fort Donelson
VS. exactly 8, 009-so says the Chicago Times
-sxclusiye Of officers. The lying Yankees
claimed Is 600
ms Southern people did not exnii a. much
over their whole series Of unparalleled veto
stss, from Mcdowell to Harper Ferry. as the
Yankees exult over their pretended saccesse,
Of the last week We gave specimen d
their sniics yesterday
4 hGen1ae1sus bsess
The Northern pagers Mo running riot il
slstr AalBieAaione over recent events in Mary
lAnd Guch rsctleas prcdieslityf Of lynn
ibielfAna . bxntrspt even thsir inAxhanssibll