Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-15

ITdHqutHy az he CdPHdt-Ihe History OF The
late Battles get to be Wriiten-HOp the West
ern Troops 6ehaced-GraDe Charges ayoinSt
Gen. MeDosoeH-The Battles on Saturday and
MOnday-Necessity Of National Uprising TO
Tepei InUasi0n--Our Wounded Soldiers.
WASHINGTON. September A.
There is Just now a cessation of the tension o f
public anticipation. and to-day the city of Wash
ngtOn is unconcerned as if the enemy had re
taken himself to the shores of the Gulf. The
theatres are crowded to suifocation each night
and the humOr of the low comedian is as broad
and as well received, and the audience as free
from apprehension and as jolly. as if the tide of
LOYALTY had just overhowed forever the rebel
capital. For a week there was feverish anxiety
OF Il painful ch racter; people suspended every
thing, almost to their very breath, TO inform
themselves of the progress Of events. But now
the worst is known, and although our proud ar
mics lie, foiled and shattered, around their fOrti
fcatiOns, reaction has taken place, and people
are as cheerful and careless as in the palmiest
hours of our national glory. This seeming
anomaly Is not an unnatural result; the human
mind is strongly elastic, and, when forced in one
direction will, sooner or later, recol to the opp0-
site extreme.
Perhaps, also, it is felt that our affairs have
reached and passed their crisis, and that the ma
ton, however weak and sick. is convalescing
The history of the fighting before Washington
has, in spite Of the column alter column which
has been given in the daily press vet to be writ
ten. doubt that it will be fully, for now, ,
at least, there is no pen hardy enough to apply
itself to the task. The man who should dare to
tell the whole truth-who should give details of
the openly charged treachery, of whispered in
efficiency, of rumOred cOwardice, of the whole
sale slaughter-would be regarded an insane
alarmist, and, in addition, would probably, at
the requistion of some Star Chamber find him
self inspecting the doings of mankind from be-
hind the CRATES of prison
The full and truthful history of events for the
last fortnight would fiji us with mingled feelings
of astonishment, pride and indignation. Never
since the war begun has there been greater dis
play of all that is painful in human nature, and,
at the same time of those qualities that make one
blush 10 own himself kindred to man.
Among the former, let me instance Kings d.
vision, composed largely of Western troops
among whom were the ID, 9th and 7th Wiscon-
sin. Before going into battle they drew ninety
two hundred rations; and upon coming out,
twentF three hundred They struggled against
the most fearful odds for nearly an entire day,
and only at last doggedly consented to move
from the field when satisfied that the only atern-
alive to retreat was complete annihilation.
The Michigan Sd was under fire just one third
OF an hour. They entered the tempest OF death
two hundred and fifty strong; they emerged from
it with jaded powder -blackened remnant of one
hundred and ten. The 7th Wisconsin lost nearly
two hundred; the ID, about two hundred and
| fifty.
The Indiana and Ohio regiments generally
came out of the conflict with more than doubly
decimated ranks. In fact, Western valor was
everywhere conspicuous, as the long lists of kill
ed and wounded will abundantly demonstrate.
| While speaking of Wisconsin regiments, il
may be opportune to mention Gen. Mcdowell in
whose division they so well fought Charges oi
the gravest nature are made against him by nci
merely all his men, but by officers high in com
mand and intelligence. Ii does not matter wheth
these charges be true not, for. long as his
soldiers believe him traitor, and believe that he
Intentionally sacrifices them. so long will they bt
demoralized and inefficient. Much blame is at
tached to Mcdowell for not holding the enemy
in check at Thoroughfare Gap 1t is everywhere
believed that single regiment could hold thu
pass in question against ten thousand men Now
Il is not generally known, but it is nevertheless
true, that, within distance Of four miles from
White Plains (where Longstreet massed his forcs
before falling upon McDowelD, there are no les'
than FIVE gaps through the Bull Run Mountains
each of which affords as easy passage for troop