The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-10-31

DEFENSE OF Gen. BUELL-Ihe Louis
vile journal in the usual goodness gifts
heart assays defense of Gen. Buell's re-
GENT campaign in Kentucky.
Every man almost in the West has
done much the same thing in his own
heart in reference to the general opera
tions of this unfortunate officer, during
the past eight months.
We among the number have sought
for and devised many excuses for appa-
rent shortcomings, on the part of that
officer.
We were among the number that had
the most unbounded confidence in him,
believing as we did after the resignation
of Gen, Scott, that the only military men
left in the army were Gems. Mcclellan,
Buell. and Halleck
We held that belief for long time and
have yet the highest respect for the mill
tary attachments of these officers, as well
as for the achievements of the first and
last
But so barren of results has been the
career of Gen. Buell., that it is almost
impossible to arrive at any other conclU-
sion than that he is military failure
as far as fighting is concerned.
No General ever had finer opportu-
nifty to immortalize his name, than had
Gen. Buell., and none has so fatally let
the golden opportunity slip. We wish it
had been otherwise. For the good of
the federal cause, for the honor of the
Union armies, and for the honor of Indi-
ana, whose foster son Gen. Buell. is, we
wish it had been otherwise.
But the effort of the Louisville Journal
to vindicate Gen. Buell., rather lessons
his excuse.
In the language of Gen. Hooker, history
will be slow to believe that one division
of cur army was allowed to fight a
whole half day with the entire rebel
army of Gen. Bragg, within three miles
of the Headquarters of the Commanding
General, and yet he knew nothing of
battle being fought until clock in the
evening. That he heard the terrible roar
of cannon for four long hours, and yet
heard no fire of musketry, only three
miles distant, would seem incredible, but
that be should hear such fierce can
nonading for such length of time with
out sending to inquire into the cause,
would to a civilian appear more strange
ly still. 1t may be possible that "Regu-
lations' do not permit a Commanding
General to send to a Division for inlor-
nation, yet we can hardly believe that
no news Of the battle reached him until
) o clock
Gen. McCOok, in his report, says he
sent word early in the afternoon to Bu-
ellis Headquarters, and frequently sent
for aid, and that his messengers met the
commanders of other brigades and divis-
ions but a short distance from the scene
of conflict
onading was of daily occurrence, for the
daily canonadings were of but short CON
tinuance, while this was continued dur
ing the entire afternoon And it will
appear passing strange to any one who
has beeu near battle field, as hotly con-
tested as was that of Chaplin Hill, to
learn that the sound Of musketry was not
heard at a distance of three or four
miles, as it ID well known that the roar
of cannon is often drowned by the roar
of muskets.
Gen. McCook had right to expect
the support Of other divisions, and it re-
mains to be explained why General Gil
berts division, which was in easy sup
porting distance of McCook, was not
led into the fight
Indeed, the whole affair of the battle
of Chaplin HILL or Perryville, was a
fearful blunder, and the person response
BILE for it should be held to a strict ac-
count We have faith in Rosecrans.
lie is an accomplished and experienced
officer, and is a magnificent fighter, in
which particular he will be a well-Gttng
head to the vast body he is sent to WELD
The Army of the Ohio is a veteran army,
finely disciplined, and in great meas
ure Injured to hardshlps, and have mostly
been frequently under fire. Let them be
led upon the enemy, and they will prove
their quality.
1t twill not delay the movement of the
army to change commanders. Gen.
Rosecrans has long since studied the
situation, and with the information he
will receive from Buell., he will be able
to lead right on to victory.
We believe the history of the next two
months will vindicate the wisdom of the
change, and the truth of our prediction
that Bragg will be driven from Tennes
see or his army annihilated.