Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-07
The Eight Days Fighting Before
RichmOnd.


The Administration has erred in attempting to
conceal from the people the result of the eight
days fighting before Richmond. In a popular
Government there is nothing gained by such a
course. Honesty is always the best policy, and
the effort to. withhold information defeats the
very object which is hoped to be gained thereby.
If our arms have met with a reverse. let the
people know it, so they may have the opportunity
to meet the exigencies which disaster occasions.
Fortunately if one source of information is
closed, others are still open. From the CORES
pondents of the press we learn what those in
power have withheld. Overpowered by numbers
and a sagaciOus foe. the Federal army has re
ceived a check in its advance upon Richmond
and compelled to change position. In the
terrible conflict which will occupy a promi-
nent page in history, the two armies fought
with unsurpassed bravery, desperation and
generalship. The carnage was terrible, for it
could not be otherwise when two such armies
fought for eight days; but amid all, nothing was
developed to tarnish the courage and the gallan-
try of those engaged in the fierce conflict. and
who in common bear the American name. While
the Federal army has not been defeated, and in
all probability occupies a stronger position now
than before the battle. it might have been differ
ent if it had been reinforced. With an army
equal to the rebel forces. and we see no reason
why il should not have been, the Fourth of July,
1862, might have been signalized by the occupa-
ton of Richmond. With every resource and
every facility superior to that of the enemy. we
have permitted the foe to outnumber and
out general US, when a victory would have
demOralized the enemy aud FASTENED the
termination of the controversy. if it did not
virtually end il. We know not where the
responsibility rests for the failure. If the
Administration were advised of the superior
numbers of the enemy and of the necessity of our
army being reinforced, a great and fearful crime
rests upon those who withheld the aid and thus
jeopardized the interests Of the Government. All
accounts agree rs to the bravery, tenaci.y and
desperation with which our gallant army fought.
The retreat of MCCLELLAN across the swamps to
James river, in the face of a much superior foe,
has no equal in b~riIliancy and success. None
but an army we'll disciplined and Offered could
have accomplished it. This terrible fight before
Richmond illustrates the truth Of what has often
been stated. that the Administration has never
yet comprehended the magnitude of the struggle
in which we are engaged or the means necessary
TO successfully overthrow the rebellion. Thean-
initiation Of the rebel . armies should have
been the only object in view-to that end
all the energies of the Government should
MA Loors 1f.o.fl - - --.-I
in discussing collateral issues or adopting schemes
Of confscation and emancipation, useless statutes
unless we had the power to enforce them. Wis
dom sometimes comes by the hardest schooling,
and our rulers, after a few more defeats, with
the immense sacrifice of blood and treasure
which accompany them, mar have their eyes
opened. But there must be a change, a different
policy in the future must be adopted, If the Gov
eminent is saved. President making must cease.
Population must stop. Radicalism must be
rooted out and the conservative sentiment of the
country rule, if we hope for tho restoration of
the Union. The Generals who are faithfully
fighting the battles of the Union must be sus-
tanned or all is lost. In conclusion we copy the
following from the correspondence Of the New
York Tribune. and ask for the facts and state
ments it contains the careful consideration Of
every truly patriotic citizen:
The movement will probably be successful
though It's trail will be bloody. The world will
regard IL as a mastery stroke Of genius. The
army will so regard il, and will feel for its COM
mander the admiration and gratitude that sayiors
of men ever enkindle in loyal hearts. But the
3ril.iancy Of this movement will not for an In
slant dazzle the eyes Of the wronged and wrath