Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-01

The painful news Of the fall of New Orleans viii oh
was somewhat obscurey set forth by the dispatches
published in our last ISSUE is now, grieved to
say officially confirmed. Beyond that fact, we still
kow but little for the details which have reached US
are very meagre Such IS they are they appear in an
other column
We need not say that this xpeced and heavy
blow. The C0nfederacy had been piled with emphatic
aud continued assurances from New Orleans, that the
deences Of that city complete and impregnabie-
They had long time for preparation, and were as
surCd that the time diligently improved FORTS
and sSre batteries, tod lined the river bark
rendering it impossible for the enemy to ascend. And
if these were not sufficient, rOnclad steamers of giant
proportions and mpenetrabe mall foatd in the chan
ne ready to demoish every opponent. A large and
welIappoined army there TO resist a land attack
In short those who had most at stake aud who should
have been hardest to pleese,we the citizens Of
New Orleans and the officers entrusted with It's Defence
united ia confident and daily assurances that New
Orleans was perfectly secure. And yet New Orleans
has fallen
1t remains to be told why it vas that all these prepa-
ton and assurances proved faacous. 1t remains for
the government to hold stern inquest into all the cir
Gums ance3 Of this deplor4ble calamity The occasion
demands it, and demands that negligence and ncapaci
IT, wherever they may attach, shall be summariy pun
ished or prescribed They have broupht upon rs
heavy mlsf0 tune, and sterny must they answer it,
This disaster not dishearten u.s. and must not
enteebe our efforts. On The contrary, We must re-
double our exertiOns aud redeem the fortunes
of the war What have lost at New Orleans, must
be reganed elsewhere We must strike with renewed
ZEAL for We have increased necessity. We must and l
win the fight. There is alternative but utter ruin
and eternal namy. Deliberately and under solemn con-
vction we say it, far better would it be for every man
woman, and child that stands Southern soil, 90
beneath It's sod than under the yoke of the rapac0us
and brutal North Ne must carry this war, there
fore If with diminished advantages at least with renew
ed energy The Mississippi and its banks, may tempo
rarily pass out of control Our States, East and
West, may thereby have to wage separate fight but
yet it will be the fight. A blow struck in Mis-
souri, will be felt in Virginia. A blow in Carolina or
let every brave man, whether East or West, his
arm for new exertons and may the soul of every ci
zen thrill with the courage which makes the hero, and
prepares for glorious deeds
| We have but small room to profit, so far as naval
operations are concerned by the disaster at New Or
leans for we have but little water left in possession
The ports of a few cities, The Atlantic coast are all
t3at we now have to defend. But surely shall here
after be better able to judge of the strength Of de-
fences and of what is required than we have just prov
en- ourselves Men who have been considered as coli
Joining eminent professional skill with great practica
sense have deceived themselves and the country at New
Orleans Il such confidence can be felt again as tt
other points. And it is wel,-for the distrust viii
cause careful examination of cur remaining water de
enemys naval operations. IT that be lost we shall have
to close Navy Department, UNTIL on land, shall
| have won back our waters
One effect of the fall of New Orleans will be to ibe
rate for more active operations the large army which