New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-26
WILL THE YANKEES FIGUTt

WILL THE YANKEES EASHTf
To the inquiry whether the Yankees WI
fight, the Rebels are in the way of getting, o
late. very decisive if not very satisfactory IN
swers. If there ever had been any real ground
TO doubt the courage of our Northern and
Eastern troops, their recent behavior in the
two most difficult aud advantageous conflicts
of the war-those Of Pea Ridge and NewberD
must set such doubts at rest forever.
la the former of those battles the most un-
friendly criticism must admit that we fought
under heavy embarrassments. Our army was
in the eCemy's country, and far from its base
of operations. 1t had, moreover, certainly
not more than half the numbers Of its oppo'
nents-probably less; and IL Tas ABSOLUTELY
cut of from its only line Of retreat, and
hopeless of any reinforcement. II was not
superior even in discipline to its opponents
aimee most OF the earlier and better disciplined
regiments of the West had been transferred to
the army of the Potomac, or TO that IN Ken
lucky. The only advantage which the Rebels
attribute TO the Union troops was their possession
of later and more improved arms. This may pos
sihly have been 10 some extent real one; though,
when we consider that their opponents were
TO n great extent the wild hunters of Arkansas
and Missouri, and were armed, In great part,
with their chosen and most effective weapon
that which did such wonders at New-Oreans
under Jackson, the Kentucky riae--our supe-
riority might be questioned. and coud not
have been great.
Under all these disadvantages, our soldiers
fought upon ground which was familiar to their
enemies, and not 30 to Observation-Disclosures
aud repealed the continued and repeated
assaults of greatly superior forces, and drove
an exutant and confident army which had
actually got into their rear, with loss Of stores,
arms. and munitions Of war, in decisive and
shameful retreat. The troops which achieved
this glorious result were chiefly from the West.
Iowa, Illinois and Missouri are forever covered
with honor BY the conduct of their heroes; and
the brave Germans of st. Louis shared the
proud glory of this signal victory.
Every true" it is said, "those Western
" men tight well; their daring is unque'tion-
" able."
See, then, how it is with the men Of the East.
At Newbern, Burnside was obliged TO abandon
the protection of his gunlDats aud made his
attack upon the batteries of the enemy not
only without the aid Of their heavy artillery,
but almost without field guns. Long lines OF
batteries had been thrown up, aud weeks Of
anxious toll had prepared every means OF
defense. The attack was made by men
landed in boats. On one side the river
on the other . swamp-in front a narrow
ridge across which these frowuing batteries
extend. For the capture of these, only brave
men Of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode
Island and New York, with arms in their hands,
but without any advantage save such as their
own resolute heroism might supply. They
engage-they fight till their
ammunition is expended and then-burrah
they charge, like heroes as they are, upon two
or three miles of batteries. Many brave
man attests with his blood the courage that in
every conflict on the Continent for two hun
bred years has made the name of New England
honorable; but though many fall, they drive
the Rebels from their ntrenchments. ard win
the day. The descendants of the men who
captured Louisburg and stormed Quebec who
fought at Lexington, Bunker Hill, and bore
the brunt of the Revolution in every infant
State, are not degenerate. The Old fire still
CLOVIS the old heroism survives An age Of
industry aud of peace has passed over them,
but they show that only give them something
worth lighting for and ew.England men are
true to their stern and noble ancestry. II will
DO long before the Rebels of Carolina question
whether Yankees will fight or not.