Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-14
Cannon 70 the right Of them,
Cannon TO the left Of them,
Cannon In front o. them.

Into the laws Of he'll ushed the six hundred.
Those who did lot die the field were forced down
tie steep bank Of the river and here 10 save their
rom falling into the hands of the enemy, they threw
ZEN Into toe stream and many, alas how many, sought
nd found watery grave The last act Of this terrible
ragedy and gross blunder not the saddest was the
most sckeniug and appalling OF them all The miserable
tboat on returning the island was laden with the
uanElsd the weaIied aud the dying TIE quick and the
lad we're hudied tog shsr in struggling mangled
nlss and al went down together in that doleul river
nrer again to rise. ,Leesburg was Illuminated that
night-iumnated by PARTICLES and rebels aud auother
Sui LAUREL was added 70 those Of Bull Run, Big Bethel
a blockade Of the Potomac and the tame surToaer Of
o n pavy.yarls and mag iznes. Such the battle Of
1lPs B!uL Sub il sands today the page Of history.
TIC State whose soldiers most severely sUrtd 10 must
"a pamed-NeW York Massachusetts, and Penn sylIana.
In the name Of the brave ard lamented men Who
ell that day, out Of regard for the living aud the
sad out OF regard os the great interests 10 be effect
ed by an investigation, | think all the circumstances
connected with the planning and execution OF the
battle ought TO DC brought TO light hops they will
"a / hope the committee appointed 10 investigate
into the conduct Of the will not overlook the bat
.e hope 70 apologies and private interests will
Issuads from investigation into IL, by any state
N .rts that tie revolution OF the whole truth will be
Instrumental TO the public service, from what
Qiarter that statement may do not thLk that, al
r the publication OF the report Of the acknowledgement,
l reference TO The division Of General Fremont the
BODY In Eny court Of Justice, at least accord ng
% the well settled principles Of equity and justice
the military authorizes who oppose this invesii.
,aion aud tho publication OF the fac!s would
D, sioppei from setting their votes against it,
AZ all events the House will be sale In veutatng the
llhors and holding up 20 public view, too the authors
o the greatest BaonG calamity aud disgrace which has
vt been talked Of in Gath and published in the streets
a. Askaloa want 10 be distinctly understood that
push this matter the attention OF the House and
ne country several points each Of which call loudly
tor exrlaua,ion II explanation be offered In the
list place, the division Of General Mccall on the
1me sds OF the river with Lsesburg within few bOurs
marcia aud yet Was not employed IN the attack but an
Other division YVES sci cted lying on the opposite side OF
The Potomac Secondly the crossing place selected
was one Of the worst and most dangerous that could
hive been formed. Third there was a want OF trans
D)rtAtOu insomuch that of crossing, absolutely
i1dspeusabls, were wholly unprovided, although they
might have been easily procured. Fourth the number Of
troops sent over Balls Bua wholly insult eDt aud
tia though moro than the needfu number close a.
hand Fifth no reinforcements reached Coouel Baker,
although aside from the command OF General AeOLI,
ere we're troops and artillery both sides oil the river
uh;n four miles Of the field Of battle All these grounds
Of celslre may be expAinable II SO, il Is but 10
The living aud the dead that opportunity should DO
Afforded they are not susceptible Of xpanadon, for
higher reasons enquiries ought not to slumber. We
should watch Sih Jealous eye the right Of wholesome
e1quiry. Tho ehqairy relted 10 great national ca
Luaiig 10 the1aot drcciOts military murder eutr com
DtittGd ia our history TO the most humiaipg triumph
Of the rebellion to bunder gross that every man
can see and uonehas ever dared 10 deny or defend
Besides the defeat and the large loss Of add muir
tons of var there a sacrifice Of nine hundred aud
thirty men II Col Baker was re. ponsible most Ia
msLtIby has he suffered II Gen. Some is Responsible
greater weight of guilt rested upon any other
zan d al upon him.