New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-05

light.
The camps were inextricably cniangled-not to
nv eye or Judgment only, though l have seen
enough 10 know something about H. but heard a
n General commanding corps d'armce say he did
hot know and could not ascertain the relative posi-
ton Of other corps. Another General, regular OIL
Ger OF engineers and famous for Typographical clear
ness and skill said 70 NE that glance at the hill.
side was enough to show that there was no General
al the head Of the army eucamIed there.
Ii was no better with the supplies of food. Tie
troops were half fed or fed rregularly. Regimental
wsgons were unloaded, and ordered to Alexandria
for food and forage. Then the order was counter
manded, and they Were reloaded and ordered to the
rear. Brgedes without supplies we're sent out on
the hanas and in front, and left there without
wagons to shit for themselves-I suppose TO subsst
On the country; and from the country they might
have gathered scanty grass and, f III the woods,
leaves for their horses-for the men, nothing.
But if a General on the eve of battle cannot
supply his troops with powder, it is useless to
expect they shall be fed. l need not multiply in
stances. There was Encouragement everywhere,
because al headquarters there was incompetence,
confusion, no settled plans, 10 head.
The army was rot SO much disbeartened as en-
Iaged-wiDg to fight, but not willing TO he sacri-
fced-deuouncne, with unanlniIy that hsd no
exception The incapacy which had caused their de
feat No one believed that the combined force Of
tie Rebels were in 'front.' and es for the 1aitle Of
Saturday the men, the oihcers, the Generals who
fought il, confess with shame and anger that they
were beaten by half their number. The army was
not defeated Its commander was out-generaed.
lie neither knew where bis enemy was, nor would
suffer himself to be informed. lie was warned
that the enemy was msating on his left-eyery SOL
der knew it, but he disbeheved and denied NJ
sent batteries and troops to The night, to the center,
to the rear-cveTy where but where they were
wsnted-then, III a moment, found himself sur
rounded, enyeloped, crushed, and defeated.
Mcdowell was ceasured not les severely than
Pope With tie latter bis advice was sald to have
had undue controlling influence " The only order
Pore gave was the order 10 retreat Mcdowell
fought the battle. Pope leaned only on his advice
welded him command Throughout. 1t was a
blunder from the beginning L. is ueelees, siid an
officer. 10 fight under Mcdowell. shall 90 my
duty TT an officer, but We shall lose every battle
where lie commands. / do not know whether /
have heard treachery imboclliiy most frequently
imputed 70 Mcdowell. Perhaps o!tcnest he lie given
the benefit Of the alternative. | did not hear
suggestion in his favor-no excuse nor palliation.
No order Of battle WAS communicated % Generate
OF any rank. Generals Of oorrs were d; tod who
SUPPORTED them, who was on their night or left what
movements concerned tier own commsrds or pos-
ton, or on Whist plan the 0ailis was fought aiked
question about tie plan. Sir there was no plan
We knew nothing but what discovered for our
selyes. / DO not know to this hour WHO was on ny
ritAt. asked, "Ie it not usual to inform Generals
Of corps or divisions on soch points T. Usual :
The General who negecs to DO it is an imbecie."
commanding Lii III our POSSESSION was threatened
by a hos,iie movement in force. Gen. Pope wa H.
formed was askod to send another battery TO bold IT,
al YOU do not, ia fifteen minutes the enemy Will
be in possession OF the bil." He refused 10 send IT,
In ten minutes, Rebel artillery was playing iiom
that hl on our troops.
Generals who fought with the most heroic courage
and tie most so.dieIly ability, whose Praises are IN
every ones mouth, speak Of the battles IN which
they have lust Won honest fame with cbagrin and
reinofse. Their own efforts became fuule from tie
iucompetence OF THEN Commanding General.
said one to me, " must ark to be relieved, unless
Gen. Pope il removed cannot rec my men muir
dered."
l met a Genera. who had led his divson in the
hottest OF The fight with heroic courage aud veteran
skill He sad Il have lost thousand men; 1
dane not 20 into the hospital ana look In the faces OF
those wounded men who know, have shed their
blood br.yely and in VAIN 1t was Carl Shurz.
The successful movement OF the Rebels upon the
flank and rear Of Gen. Pope must be traced not TO
his want OF proper Of information but 10 bic
refusal 10 regard the intelligence that was sent him.
He was officially informed OF 1t, but would not be-
Ieve H. would Rot even take reasonable precautions
ara.y,st US possibility. lie actually withdrew Sgels
corDs from his EXPOSED flank while the enemy were
tufuu,, that point. Oiicofs stationed ~ front on
lie Rappahanuock line s.w for three days tho con
,fau. ouds OF aust which announced ,he moving
colunr. 81 the enemy bul 70 the eye oi tho General
they gave no slen lie persisted 10 regarding their
success 10 Catlcu's mere cavalry dash, and was
hardly convinced by Mauatsas that the enemy had
Gained he r.hr in force From that hour his move
nents have been followed by nothing but disaster.
Tut Il il needless and have no time 10 accumu-
late evidence Oh sach poin.s. Half the strength Of
An stoy ir confidence n it, commander That con-
fiden,e Is not & ven 10 Gen. Pope. The opinion Of
nj. troops IL unsiamoasly against him. raw nu-
uerous officers OF I'll ranLi in gmOst every corps OF
the army. There - no dissent or Disagreement
They Will not, cannot, fight again under Pope wiih
confidence. The army Of Virginia demands
General.
,ta,e these facls us find them, expressing no
otter opinion han what noldS ITSELF out OF the lde's
Heretofore have praired Gen. Pope some fiielas
Of mine thought too literally. ! DO Lot think Co.
|, is s. ny opinion that down TO the time when he
-. L -. L. Il nnnanannnck biz camnaign MLs pur.