The national Republican., 1862-09-22
THE POSITION.

THE POSlTlON.
The surrender Of Harper's Ferry, unre-
ieved as it has been by any decided success |
in that quarter, continues to attract public
attention, and for from agreeably.
We publish to-day some Frederick cores |
pondence of the Philadelphia Press, rejecting |
very severely upon the late Col Miles. On
the other hand, we publish an article from
the n. Y. Tribune, giving an order from
Col Miles to Col. Ford, on Saturday, the
18th instant, not to surrender the Maryland
Heights, and insisting that those Heights
were impregnable. This would seem to place
upon Col. Ford rather than upon Col. Miles.
the responsibility Of their surrender. As they
commanded the position at Harpers Ferry
their loss involved the loss Of everything. But
why did not Col. Miles move his whole force
oves to the Maryland side? Why did he
leave the bulk of it in position in itself in.
deiensble, and wholly dependent upon the
maintenance OF detached point?
A correspondent Of the n. Y. Herald al.
firms that Col. Miles admitted in his dying
moments, that his tcci,ngs' during this war
"h0d been q"'th the South." Col. Miles may
not have made such an admission, but there
are great many officers who would make it,
if they were honest,
The aspect OF atiairs, as far as Gen. Nc Ciel.
LAM army is concerned, is, we regret to say.
distinctly more unfavorable than it seemed
al the date of our last issue. The enemy has
crossed the Potomac with ali bis trains and
artillery Untouched, with all bis wounded ex.
cept few hundreds, and with the loes of only
an Insignificant number Of straggers. lie is
said to be now well posted on the south bank
Of the river, with artillery in position, and
prepared to dispute our passage. That he
thus escaped substantially without damage,
is in itself serious misfortune for u.s.,
and Furthermore, it admits Of but one inter.
probation, aud chat not favorable as to the
character Of the battle Of Wednesday. A
battle must be conceded to be drawn one,
from which one party withdraws 10 perfect
order, the other party being disabled from
moving until movement is too late. 1t may
have the moral effect Of a victory for US, and
we still think it has, but that is only becaus,
drawn battle is defeat to an advancing and
hitherto successful army, while such a battle
is a victory to an army which has been sui.
tcring continuous reverses. This battle of An.
tietam was a victory for US in that sense only
1t is gratifying to find that the reports con.
tinue uniform of the good conduct of the
whole of Our army. Every division, every
brigade, every regiment, and so far as appears
every man, did well. The new regiments WED
with the old. The battle has also left our
troops in good heart. 1t has strengthened
their confidence in themselves, rather than i'm
paired it. This is Of great moment in futurt
operations.
OF the losses in the battle of Antietam, il
continues to be said, that those of the enemy
exceeded ours. From the descriptions given
OF the contest, involving charges upon the en-.
emy in advantageous positions, and the cross.
ing Of creek, this would hardly seem to be
probable, and yet it may be true.
We are said to have captured ten thousand
stand OF arms on the battlefield Of Antetam
which will balance the enemys captures Of
small arms at Bull Run. But it does no,
balance our losses of that kind at Harper'E
Ferry, nor our LOSSES Of artillery, which were
heavy. both at Bull Run and Harper's Ferry
As the result of the whole campaign, com.
menciDg with the advance upon Gen. Pope
the enemy have gained in the material OF
war, and have subsstcd very much upor
stores captured from our army, and upor
provisions ami forage plundercd in Maryland
They must now subsist, for the present, upor
the secession farmers Of the Valley of Vir
ginia.
From the Southwest we have news of ar
import ant victory at or near 1uka, Miss.
by Gen. Rosccraus There is no doubt thai
was victory 10 every sense, US our army
was following up the enemy, and capturing
bis tents, stores, &c. What its particular
strategic importance may be, We do not pro
less to have specially studied, but we believe
it to be always good strategy to fight th,
enemy and whip him. That was II more gene
raj opinion before this war broke out than il
is now.