The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-21
The Burnside Victory.

Yesterday was day of exultation and
thanksgiving to loyal Americans, wherever
the lightning bore the glorious news of the
victories achieved by the Burnside expedi-
ton. 1t was almost the first occasion since
the war commenced when men felt like rails
ing the shout Of triumph and throwing out
the old flag as demonstration of JOY. 1t
was felt that stunning blow at the rebel
lion had at last been struck, and one that
will be followed up until treason is crushed
out and the flag of the Union again floats
over the entire national domain. The news
of Burnside's success was all the more glad
ly welcomed because of the apprehensions
excited by the delays and disasters encoun-
tered by the expedition, and although the
first intimations received through rebel sour
ces indicated degree of success, still the
contest was 50 manfestly Il prolonged and
severe one, that fuller accounts were awaited
with tremulous anxiety. When the dispatch
es Of Wednesday began to be received, and
the rebels themselves told US that they had
been utterly defeated their entire force on
Roanoke Island captured, after the loss OF
300 killed and wounded and the destruction
of their entire gunhoat fleet, the weight of
apprehension was lifted, and the popular
heart beat with patriotic delight and fervor
such as this generation has seldom if ever
before experienced.
The sense of defeat and apprehension in
rebeldom must have equalled the JOY and
hope Of our people. The few hints we re-
ceive shows thai the event made the pro-
foundest impression. The Richmond Exam
iner confesses that it is 1.-The most painful
event of the war" 1t is also manifestly the
most disastrous to the rebel cause. Follow
ing their great reverses in Kentucky and
Virginia, and showing, as it does, the power
of the government to carry through the plan
it has Instituted for crushing the rebellion.
even when the rebels have full warning and
ample opportunity TO prepare for resistance.
it may well be considered a decisive victory,
The succession Of successes with which the
campaign has opened have been of constant
ly increasing importance. The defeat OF
Marshall in kentucky was good beginning
the victory at Mill Spring was still more I'M
portant both in character and consequences
The capture OF Fort Henry, with the inva-
sion of Tennessee and the breaking of the
connections Of the rebel armies in Kentucky
with the South, involve still more important
strategic advantages, and put the rebel for
ccs everywhere in agitation and peril. The
victory at Roanoke Island, after the rcioic-
ing Of the rebels over the probable failure Of
.!.> ->,.i;,:.", ~..L ,!.~ I--L. LII 81. Il ~.
entire success, is in It's moral effect the great
est and best victory of the four. And while
our troops are inspired with triumph, and
the rebels dispried, and while We know that
Burnside is not the man to stop till he has
done his whole work, We may be certain that
we shall continue to hear from him till he
has taken Norfolk, or destroyed the south.
ern railroad connections of Richmond, OF
accomplished whatever work has been as
signed to such energetic and fearless hands
! The victory at Roanoke Island was evi
den,ly not an easy one. That was not to be
expected. Of our loss we can form no idea
from the vague statements of the rebels
/ They evidently know nothing about it. But
We are prepared to hear that 1t was consider
abe. The fact that the gunboats bombar
dcd the rebel fertilization for two days, ant
that they were only taken at last by storu
bv the land forces, shows that it was NJ
chiid'S play. But the thing is done, and al
though the loss of lifc is to be deplored, still
a victory won in way to demonstrate to th
rebels the fighting capacity of our volunteers
is more valuable than a bloodless triumph
won by .mere strategy, and accomplishc
vastly more for the real purpose of the wal
:, The glory Of this great achievement ca
only be apportioned when we learn the fact
more fully, but it is manifest that We owe
greatly to Gen Burnsles stern and sterlin
qualities. 1t is not his policy to fight onl
when it is safe or convenient, but when it
necessary, and to fight through whatever h
undertakes. That is the spirit that mus
win. and if our commanders everywhere mar
ifest the same temper We shall soon see a
: end of the war.-Spriagield Republican.