Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-05
The Fall of New Orleans-Commcn of
Rebel Press.

The Petersburg (Virginia) Express, of April
29th, says:
The capture of New Orleans by the enemy is,
under the circumstances, ore of the most extra
ordinary events which the war has brought forth.
We could consume columns in commenting upon
it, and in doing would necessarily have to
indulge in a variety of remarks far from being
complimentary to the conductors of the defenses
of the city. But, astonishing a result must
have been produced in a most astonishing way,
must await fell explanations before expressing
harsh judgment. In the absence of all inform
alton to particulars, we are unwilling to de-
nounce in unsparing terms the conduct OF the
garrisons in the forts and of the commander of
the forces. 1t will be time enough to this after
having been put in possession of all the facts
Meanwhile we have to look the disaster full in
the face. and consider it in its important connec-
tons as to the future. The blow which has been
struck is undoubtedly very severe one; but If
General Lowell and all his army, munitions and
stores sale-if all the cotton, tobacco, &C.,
were destroyed, the coin of the banks secured.
and everything else that could be of value to the
enemy put out of his reach, the blow has been
stripped of more than half its terror
We will be undoubtedly subjected to new and
great nconvenencies by the loss of that city, but
its occupancy by the Yankees will be anything
else but agreeable one, now that the yellow
fever season is near at hand, which for months
will prove fatal to the Northern unacclimated
troops by which it will have to be held. They
have got the elephant, it is true: but it is prize
which will cost them vastly more to keep than
the animal is worth, if his Saffron Majesty shall
make his usual annual visit to that city and wave
his sceptre in the hospitals there. What dry
straw is to the flames will those raw, uninured
Northerners be to the Gulf pestilence when it
breaks cut amongst them. Even one half of the
old resident populations of the city have hereto
fore fled every summer to higher ATTITUDES to es-
cape its ravages. So, in this point of view, the
enemy has very little cause to exut over his sue
cess. He will be, too, in the midst of hostile
people, who will not trade with him, and his &C
QUESTION will be as valueess in a commercial
in sanitary sense.
But there is another aspect OF the matter still
more cheering to the Confederates. The large
and fine army which was assigned for the defense
of New Orleans can now be united with the army
at Corinth in time assist i'm the great work of
driving the vandals out of Tennessee and Ken
lucky, and in march across the OhO-a move
ment which, we can not doubt, will be commenced
and carried through the Tennessee,
Cumberland and Ohio rivers become too shallow
for gunboat navigation. The, will be our OPP
portunity for striking crushing blow that will
redeem all our losses.
We want to see column of $50 900 Southern
troops led on by Beauregard through the North
western. and another of the same strength through
the Northern States by Johnston, so that whilst
the Yankees taking coast and river cities
we will be sweeping theirs; and then we would
see who would suffer most and endure their suf-
ferngs longest. The Romans, in a memorable
crisis, fought the battles of Italy in Numdia,
aud thus drove their Carthagenian (almost) con-
querors from their own gates. Let MS fight the
battles of the South upon Northern soil. The
capture Of Philadelphia or New York would be TO
us a guarantee of peace in thirty days upon our
own terms. We have 400 900 soldiers in the
| field OF whom Napoleon, in the zenith of bis
| glory, might have been proud. They would move
with alacrity in the direction of Yankee land, it
the word was Just given them from Richmond.
Oh. that it may be giveni as it ought to have bee.
given twelve months ago. Besides this huge
army, which could easily support itself in the
enemy's country, we would have a reserve sufii-
Gently powerful to protect vast interior, com
prising compact and populous territory between
the Mississippi and Atlantic. equal in extent TO
that Of France Great Britain and Ireland (leaving
out half of Virginia and all Kentucky and Ten
nessee,) whilst our trans Mississippi territory
(lelving out Missouri) comprises a still larger
area.
The idea of conquest OF such country is
preposterously absurd, and the fall Of New Or
/ leans, although to be much lamented, does not
put the invaders inch nearer the consumma-
ton OF their accused purpose. 1t may, in the
disDensaton OF Providence, turn out to have
been for advantageous event. The WAYS
of God are mysterious, and he directs the affairs
OF men so as often to lead them to consider an
event caIamtous which afterwards proves the
| happiest that could have occurred for their well
fare. We have long since "iiled our mind down
TO the belief that. ii the cause of the South is
divinely favored. it will and must triumph. If
not. t will and must perish, were it supported by
millions of armed men and hundreds of iron cAi
war vessels of the most powerful description.
| So far we have had alternate successes and re-
verses which have not been decisive We must
fight on with more terrible energy than we have
| vet done. We must concentrate our forces
at fewer points and hurl them upon the foe. We
must abandon the merely defensive policy, and
assume and maintain at All hazards the position
OF belligerents, able TO give as well US receive
blows With half million OF men prepared
and Eager for action. make ourselves ielt
beyond the limits of the Confederacy-
CHAsor-By the State Sentinel we see that