Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-25
HOME CORR ESPONDENCE.

IN THE WOODS, Dec, 10, looA.
Mr.. EDITOR AS am sin the woods"
shall observe the old adage, and not whistle
even to keep up courage. | propose TO con-
slider tho :" dark side" in order that we may
at least attempt to grope into light.
1t is most lamentable fact that notwith-
standing no soldiers in any army on earth ever
fought with more true bravery, heroism, and
perfect desperation, than those who have COM
posed the army of the Potomac; the history
of that army from the battle of Bull Run down
to this hour, has been substantially a history
OF disasters and defeats. Had the Generals IN
command been equal to the soldiers they led,
the record of the terrible battles in Virginia
would have borne an entirely different aspect.
In fact the record, in all probability, would
have closed with the first battle of Bull Run
the laws and the constitution would have been
indicated the. rebellion would have been
crushed, and the Unm restored. Defeat to the
rebels then, which was possible, and might
have been secured, with even moderately good
generalship on our part, would have struck
such staggering blow to the rebellion, that it
would never again have gained mead the
latent Union feeling which then incontestibly
existed in every Southern State, would have
|
to the military despotlsm of the Southern lead
ers, and our armies would have found succor
and support in all parts of the South, to which
they might have quickly penetrated. But the
grim vsage of war has been and still is seen
all over that portion of the country IN nsur-
rection, in consequence of this one opportunity
lost. 1t is needless to recount the blunders
which have followed this first great and bis
tering disaster. The last is bad enough to en-
gage all our thoughts. 81 Hs1i
How did it occur The answer is simple
enough. When Burnside took the command
of the army shameful divisions prevailed, not
only among the Northern people, but among
the commanding generals. Every move Of the
new commander was watched, criticised, and
commented upon. Long before Gen. Burnside
had succeeded IN getting his army concentrated
near fredericksburg preparatory to rapid adj
vance upon that line to Richmond, the enemy
were notified of the movement, thru ugh secret
spies which have been permitted to swarm like
locusts within our lines, and by the newspaper
correspondents who follow the camps. The
enemy, in consequence, succeeded IN getting
the strongest position, as usual, and hence this
last stunning, mortlfying defeat.
Now, Mr.. Editor, | wish to suggest plan
for the next campaign. 1t is easy to do so
in view of the past. ai
Presenting that Gen. Burnside does not in
tend to remain inactive through the winter
with an army of over 100000 men, well dis
ciplined, armed and equipped, it is to be sup
posed that he will at once plan new cam
paign As soon as his plan is devised, there
fore, let the newspaper correspondents make i
/ known to the enemy through the columns o
the dali" press let the. spies who hang
around our camps, be admitted to the festive
boards of our officers, and their hired and feet
army correspondents and buffers, and learr
the new programme and then depart unmo
Tested with the intelligence to the enemy. Ii
this way the enemy can arrive at the new bast
of operations in advance, and select the mos
impregnable positions. Then, if the enemy
should happen not to be rapid enough in his
movements, let those having charge of the for
warding of supplies to our army, delay few
days, and thus give the enemy a fair chance
to put himself in an impregnable position
Finally, let the battle be fought against enor
nous odds, and our army again defeated, We
succeed in making a mastery retreat to tn
establishment of the enemy, and the Norti
| will be SatlSueu t. s p
1t will be satisfaction enough for us, tt
know that are y most magnanmous foe
that we take no advantage Of the enemy =
that we permit him to select his own battle
ground we permit him to outnumber us =
and then, (the willy ungracious foe J he viii
neither leave his strongly fortified positions Il
meet us in an open field, nor permit us to tax
him where he is lodged, notwithstanding w
sacrifice thousands upon thousands Of our bes
troops in the heroic attempt You will recol
lect, Mr.. Editor, one instance in particular
when our Generals were most magnanimeu
towards the enemy The day after the battl
of Antietam the telegraph informs us, that Their
had been no fighting that day for the reaso
thnt tie enema mere out of ammunition. q
course our fair minded Generals, who go fo
fair play towards an enemy seeking the DIES
truction of our Republic, would not think /
, taking advantage of the enemy's misfortunes
To have fought him while he was out of am
| munition, would have been contrary to tn
lofty rules of chivalry. 4
| have the utmost faith in Gen. Burnside
f He has shown true pluck and courage, and ha
, failed only because impossibilities cannot
accomplished. Now let the country cease IT
camor; let army correspondents hold the
tongues and pens let spies be .weeled out
: our camps let the next blow fall upon tn
| enemy unawares, and the result will be glor
Gus. But this would involve defeat of m
plan. Yet since it would also secure tn
defeat of the enemy, would be content.
, Truly, yours, fae s
go. g YOUNG ABE"
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