Washington telegraph., 1862-01-29
DISASTER AND DErEAr.--Our columns

| nave SuHereu OlsaStTOus Oeleat.
great General has fallen. One Of our
greatest armies has been utterly routed,
with loss of artillery and baggage. hun-
dreds of the brave sons of the South lie
cold upon their native soil. 1t is red
with their blood, and the Invaders foot
treads upon it. We have no heart to en-
quire hov it all happened. 1t is sicken-
ing at the first shock But unless VIC
mistake, the reaction will be the fierce
sentiment of vengeance--never the gloom
of despondepcy.
Heretofore, our sorrow for the brave
who fall, had much to paliate it. Our
vail Of grief has been mingled with the
exultant shout of victory. Our tears
we're half, the wellings of our hearts
swelling with pride. Past the horrors o.
the battle field we looked to the rising
glory of the South, and the rapid termin
alton of the war. We saw our enemy dis
couraged, and the nations of the world 10
admiration of our prowess aud success.
We have none of that now, and cannot
pretend to it. We imagine already that We
real the exulting paragraphs Of Northern
papers--we imagine we hear the inalig
nant jibes of Northern orators. We are
CALLED already by the im gined sneer, and
tiendish triumph Of Andrew johnson
We contemplate the Saturnine satisfac.
ZION of Brownlow. Beyond these senti'
mental evils We see Others gr ater still.
IL is not the loss # baggage and the los:
of men. That might soon be remedied
1t is only Antious touching the ground
But the disaster ! as occurred in the very
trous. Where disloyalty and disaffectior
is most rampant-where it has only beer
:'scotched not killed." and where tn,
most strenuous efforts will now be requir
ed to prevent its outbreak again with in
calcu,able mischief.
And then the moral effect upon th,
North. The renewal Of their hopes. The
stimulation to renewed efforts. The as.
sistauce to their credit 1t will proon9
the war, which we thought almost closed
1t will restore their confidence, and bring
new armies into the field.
Aud the encouragement Of our owl
soldiers-the loss Of their prestige of vic
tory, which has given them heretofore th,
pride which heightens heroism. 1t ha
suffered a sad blow.
1t is all bad But let Us dwell here I.
pay a passing tribute to the noble genera
who was spared the sight of the rout o
his army, and whose spirit was yielded a
a sacrifice to his patriotism, before hi
body was trampled BY the pursuing squad
rons of the enemy. We knew Zollicoffe
well. He was our fries and frequen
adviser. A cool, calm, reflective, anc
determined man, whom nothing could az
itate. Uniform, and iinmutable in hi
friendships, courteous, aud just, but in
flexible in bis enmites. lie was industri
Gus AID patriotic, aua combined with
high order of intellect, all the moral qual
ities of great military leader. lie vii
be universally regretted. Tennessee la
| e, l.. ..,.. g.,
servant. He was not in command whel
the battle was fought.
But what shall We do now? Despond
Never! Every son Of the South answer
never! Let US bow humbly to this dis
pensation of Providence, and seek in i
new lessons for our guidance, but let
also mould our hearts to higher deeds 0
patriotism, and to more abandonment 0
self to the cause Of our country. w
we're becoming over confident, and ba,
begun to be selfish, Gas is the wont Of poo
human nature) as the danger to us al
seemed less eminent. 1t needed som
| meuaCe tO UuT uciONSu COutu W Iousc v
to that pitch Of patriotism which induce
us to give up az property, family. life
all save honor for our cause. Let us d
it. Each in his place do all that man ca
do. Hesitate at nothing. Is not countr
everything, and the self appreciation
brought about by noble deeds more tha
gold and silver? is not honor more tha
the frail breath Of life?
Let it teach us another lesson not &
despise the nemy, and trust too much i
Providence and accident We were over
wecning somewhat in our superiority
which had been SO clearly shown in ou
former battle-felds. II besat carelessnes
and led to defeat. Watchfulness, prepa
tion, and caution, have been taught u
afresh.
More care in the selection Of militar
leaders, comes next. That is lesson f.
cur rulers. /. is to be hoped they wi
heed it we'll.