Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-12
ENC Di.arpein,men, Of ,he Norlh.

Since the facts Of the great battle before Rich
mond have been allowed to t~raDspire at the
North, the press of that section has fully ac-
knowledged its own, as well as the public, dis
appointment. The effort of the officials TO con
ceal the true result, has failed, and the conse-
quent humiliation is great. The following, from
the New York Tines of the Sd inst honestly
admits the extent of the disaster to the Federal
arms:
THE NEWS FROM RICHMOND-THE New
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERs-We have at last
full reports of recent movements in front of
Richmond. We are sorry to say that they do
not fully sustain the encouraging Interpretation
which the public sought TO put upon the brief
announcement, that our right wing had been at
tackled and had Withdrawn to the other side Of
the Chickahominy. We have now no room to
doubt that our army has met with q very serious
! reverse, and that it is in a condition of peril,
which, if not imminent, at least calls for the in
slant and energetic efforts Of the government
and tho country.
Two of the regular corps of the Times re-
porters left Gen. McCiellan's headquarters,
which are now on the James river, on Monday
afternoon, and reached this city last evening.
They were spectators of the events which they
describe, and, although their reports are of ne
cessi y written in haste, and may, therefore, err
in matters of detail, there is no reason whatever
to doubt the entire accuracy of the narrative
they give of the principal movements of tie OPP
posing forces.
1t seems, from their statement, that the right
wing Ct. our army, numbering about 10000 men,
was attacked on Friday by an overwhelming
rebel force of not less than 10000, and that at
ter a hot and protrscted fight, sustained with
tLa'-~o,4n.t -oI1ar4rr ~ o,r 4rOnna fbavy a ffao4
| ed their retreat across the ChickahominY. This
leading fact was known before.
But it now for the first time appears that they
did not wait to destroy the bridges across the
swsmp so 6ffectually as to prevent the pssss go
Of the rebels-tbat our forces on the lett, tor
some reason or other, did not dispute the pas
sage, although they had planted batteries for
the purpose of doing so, but decided to abandon
their position-snd that accordingly, on Sstu'-
day night and Sunday, The whole LETT wing, CON-
pnsing the main body of the army, under Heint-
zelman, Keyes and Sumner, fell back along the
line of the railroad and the Williamsburg road,
turned The foot of the White Oak swamp, which
approaches the Chickahominy, and marched to
the James river, a distance Of from ten to fifteen
miles. The rebels, after crossing the Chicka-
hominy on Sunday in the immediate neighbOr-
hood Of what had been General McClellon's
headquarters, paused on reachiBg tie railroad,
and made no further pursuit. They remained,
however, in possession Of the grounds previous
ly held by our troops on both sides of the Chick
ahominy, including the bridges and the earth
works We hsd erected against their approach III
front.
Our whole army, therefore, now lies upon the
James river, at a point called Turkey Bend,
within reach and under cover of the gunbOats.
Supplies viii speedily reach it from Fortress
Monroe, and it seems, indeed, TO have withdrawn
its stores in good order and without serious
loss.
Beyond all question, this intelligence will fall
with heavy weight upon the public heart. 1t IS
entirely unexpected, and skaters the high hope
which the whole country has Of late INDUCED,
that with the fall of Richmond, the end Of the
rebellion was close at hand. But this depressing
effect will be temporary. A days reflection
will rouse the whole country TO the necessity of
another effort to crush the rebellion. However
we may regret the necessity of further sacrifices,
there is no alternative. 1--WE have no election,
even if we were base enough to desire one"
We cannot yield to the rebels in arms without
absolute and permanent disgrsee-without COM
plete ruin 10 all OR hopes Of national TenowD.
without the loss ofeveTything that makes cur
country great, prosperous and free.
The government will meet this crisis with an
intrepid spirit and q determined purpose, and it
must be met by the country in the same temper
and with equal courage. The President, as if
in anticipation of such a contingency. has al
ready called for 300, 600 additional volunteers.
Every man Of them ought to be enrolled within
|. fertpight. We shall have, we hope, no
WIanghngs IN The press or elsewhere over The
past, no ordinations or hostile criticisms, no
attempts to screen dement, or exsggerate defeat.
The country needs the best service of all her
sons. Let the only contest be for precedence in
the race for rescue.