The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-16
NUMBER 10.
The Fight at Richmond.

INV GU 4VANIkAA4OA1us
Extract from Correspondence Of the
New York Tribune.
We march now through the White Oak
Swamp, to change, in II hours time the
base of great army-doomed where it
was, and having now but little grace .ef
delay accorded to it by an active and brayc
enemy, numerous enough to encircle u.
at any point and to outnumber us at all.
The movement is bold, soldier-like and.
brilliant, but eminently hazardous, made
by the burning of the bridges which we
have so painfully thrown over the Chicka-
hominy, within hearing of the destruction.
by our own hands, of the railroad which
gave US supplies and was to secure US re-
treat. The movement will probably be
successful, though its trail will be bloody.
The world will regard it as masteriy
stroke Of genius. The army will SO ~
gard it, and will feel for its commander
the admiration and gratitude that saviors
of men ever kindled in loyal hearts.
But the brilliancy of this movement
will not for an instant dazzle the eyes Of
the wronged and wrathful men of the ar
my of the Potomac, nor will it dazzle the
sight of the angry people SO as for mo-
ment to obscure their perception of the
crime against the nation, which has made
this change of base and front imperiously
necessary This crime is the refusal to
re-enforce Mcclellan. I don't care about
the question-which legislators, soldiers
and politicians have debated-of fhis
Generals fitness to command. The York
and james River Peninsula was not the
place for that discussion. The, hour Of
the junction of Beauregards and Jack
sons forces to those of Johnston is not
the time for such debate s-2ss'E
1 care not for any criticism Of GencraE
McClellan's campaign on this Peninsule
or on the Potomac. have blows, but
not word, for the untimely casuist, in or
out of administrative Office, who, under
the roar of rebel cannon, sweeping our
ranks with shot and shell, meets the de-
mand for aid to this army with chronos
logical measure of delays at Fortress M0ns
roe, at Yorktown, at williamsburg, at.
Seven Pines. j don't care whether theres
were delays or no delays-whether thoys
Wcfc VucClcttdH ueidyS, tHc &u3f1oHt tA0D~t
ter Generals delays or the delays of he
elements No man, no party, no i1teresS
shall. with my assent or my silence, be.
permitted to mix up. with the sacred right
of an outnumbercd America Army ..to.des
mand help from their ,conntrymen, and to.
promptly receive it, collateral questions
of fitness, of vigor, orr fidelity in COM
manders s---------------.
When loyal New York regiments, lifted
from their feet by the FIRE of rebel bril-
gades, cry out of their wounds and death
for help; when the choicest of New Eng
land and Michigan and Pennsylvxzi&
troops, outnumbered in front and ON both
TANKS by whole divisions of the enemy;
beg for reinforcements, say that the
blackest crime that Power can commit is.
to stalk upon the field of peril and say.
"Soldiers, l have no faith in your com
manderl Let your martyrdom proceedl''
And SO says this Army of the Potomac.
And it registers tonight vows Of VEN
geance as it marches in the dark from !
position which their diminished numbers
disabled them from holding, but which is
consecratcd to them forever by their sufs
ferings, their labors, aud their wrongs.
The politicians and statesmen who left-us
here to be outnumbered and cut of from
our supplies and tAe-pessibility Of retreat
are doomed men, ssT5 -ssf,ss