The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-12-18
'E'Esc Situation ll Virginia.

day resulted in slight success to us ON
the left Of our army, Gen. Franklin having
succeeded in gradually pn-hlng back thc
forces Of Gems. Hill and Jackson for nil.
In The centre, the fighting sens to have
becn OF desperate character, several sue
ce>oivc bayonet charges having been made
by our troops, each Of which WAS repused
by the Conf derates. II the +. bells make
determined stand in their presenl posi-
ton the battle Of fredericksburg threatens
10 BE- the most obstinate and bloody of The
war. So far as numbels are concerned.
The advantage is probably not great upon eli
tier side. Bu. tie rebels have much the
advantage in position. a was shown by the
effectiveness OF their artillery On Saturday.
We can hardly believe, however. tha. it is
the pui pose oi Gen. Lee 10 risk Il decisive
engagement at Frederic burg. He VII
not Go so unlees confident of advantage
that will insure victory. BY delaying the
advance o. Gen. Bnrn>ile's army al all
practicable points, keeping always the
lines of retreat open. the rebels gain
time and haiass and weaken OR forces.
Doubtless on the south banks of the
branches Of the Pamuukev, or south OF the
Chickahuminy. positions aS strong as the
one at present occupied by them at Fred
erick, burg may be selected where the for
T., concentrated around Richmond could
b. brought up il necessary, should there
be gene raj engagement. That the Con
federacy will fisk battle upon equal
terms, when they have The delences of
Richmond 10 retire behind, Is lot sup
posabe case. Tha! they would have pre-
vented the crossing of the Rappahannock
by our forces is altogether probable.
That they did not 10 50 would Indicate an
intention OH the part oil Lee Of drawing
our army southwark So far that he could, in I
at Richmond. mass his troops behind tn, m,
while, if he should succeed in defeating Us,
escape to Washington would be impossi-
bic.
The telegraphic report denying that
General Burnside wishes more troops is
probably uniounded. 1t can hardly be
possible that lie suppcses he can advance
G.. 4
across several rivers, and against intrench- /
ments such as the rebels have thrown up
a, different points between the Rappahan
mock and Richmond. The position OF
Gen. Burnside as he advances will BE- one
of extreme peril. requiring the utmost vigil |.
lance and caution. That these will be cx-
ercised there can be no doubt. and if, in
spite of these, our armies are beaten or
baflled III their southern march, the cen
sure will not fall On Gen. Buanside, but
upon those who have planned the present
movement. We doubt if Two armies Of the
same numbers ever confronted each other |
on battle field where there was as much |
of equality in the military skill of the Gen
eral, in the material of war. and fighting
equalilies Of the soldiers. A desi,.ive bat
tie at Frederick sburg would probably give
us Richmond or the rebels Washington |
This consideration alone is enough to prove
the mpolicy of the present venture. With
all our vast resources and numberless ar
mics. the fate of the nation is hung upon
the chances Of success in battle between
Generals Lee and Burnside. 1t looks like
the last desperate stake of a gambler rath-
or than the deliberate calculations of mill
,ary science and practical craftsmanship.
Washington in the possession fthe reb
els. recognition and Intervention by Euro
pean governmc hts would inevitably follow.
IL Gen. Burnside should meet with daz
cling success it would not change the char
acter OF the policy that made success upon
equal chances the only guard against ruin
when all the advantages were with US