The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-12-18

spring, and preparations will be..made
accordingly. -
GEN. BUFFERS DEPARTMENT..
In the Department of the Gulf, the
withdrawal of our fotilIa from Vicks-
burg, enabled the enemy to concentrate
a considerable force on Baton Rouge,
which was then held by Brigadier
General Williams. The attack was
made on the 9Th of August, with great
y superior forces under the rebel Gen.
Breckenridge. Gen. Williams gained
most signal victory, but fell in the
fight. Our loss was go killed and $50
wounded. We buried 800 of the en-
emy's dead, left upon the field. On the
10th of August the garrison of Baton
Rouge was Withdrawn to New Orleans.
On the 25th of October, Gen. Butler
sent force under Brigadier General
Weitzel, to operate on the west bank
of the Mississippi. in the La Fourche
district. He engaged considerable
body of the enemy on the 25th about
nine miles from Donaldsonvlle, and de.
feated them, with the loss of their CON-
mander, large number killed and
wounded, and 26s prisoners. Our loss
was Is killed, aud 6s wounded. This
victory opened the whole of that part
of the country. Gen. Buffers reports
of the military operations in his de-
partment are submitted herewith,
marked exhibit No. I.
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.
In the Department of the South the
only military operations which have
been undertaken were the reconnois-
sances Of the Pocotaligo and Coosa.
watchie rivers. These expeditions, un.
der Brigadier General Brannan and
Col. Barton, encountered consider
able force of the enemy on the 22d of
October, and an engagement ensued,
in which we |, st 80 killed and $50
wounded. The official reports of these
engagements are submitted herewith.
marked Exhibit No. s.
THE DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In the Department of North Carroll
ma, our force has also been too small to
attempt any important offensive opera.
tons. On the 9th of September a par
ty of the enemy surprised the garrison
of Washington, but were soon driven
ont. Our loss was 8 killed and SO
wounded, and that of the enemy 33
killed and about 100 wounded. SIEVE
raj successful reconnoissances have
been made into the interior. The Off
! cial reports of the affair at Washington
are marked Exhibit No. 9.
CONCLUSIONS.
1t is seen from this brief summary
of military operations during the last
three or four months, that while our
soldiers have generally fought with
bravery, and gained many important
battles, these victories have not produ.
ced the usual results. In many instan-
ces the defeated foe was not followed
from the battle field, and even where a
pursuit was attempted it almost invari.
ably failed to effect the capture or de.
struction of any part of the retreating
army. This is matter which requires
serious and careful consideration. A
victorious army is supposed to be in a
condition to pursue its defeated foe
with advantage, and during such pur-
suit, to do him serious, if not fatal in
Jury. This result has usually been at
tanned in other countries. Is there any
reason why it should not be expected
in this I? 1t is easily understood that
in country like that between York
town and Richmond, or the thickly
wooded swamps of Mississippi and
Louisiana, that retreating force, by
telling trees across the roads and de-
stroying bridges over deep and marshy
streams, can eventually prevent any
rapid pursuit. The one, in a few min
utes, blocks up or destroys roads, which
the other cannot clear or repair for
hours, or even days. The pursuer has
very little hope OF overtaking his flying
foe. But this reasoning is not applica.
BILE to Maryland, and the greater part
of Virginia, Kentucky and Middle
Tennessee. 1t must be admitted that
in these theatres of war the rebel ar.
mics have exhibited much more mo-
biity and activity than our own. Not
only do they outmarch US, both in ad
vance and retreat, but on two memoir
able occasions their cavalry have made
with impunity the entire circuit of the
Army of the Potomac. If it be true
that the success of an army depends
upon its " arms and its legs" ours has
shown itself deficient in the latter of
these essential requisites.
This defect has been attributed to
our enormous baggage and supply
trains, and to want of training in
marches. There is no doubt that the
baggage trains of our armies have been
excessively large. Every possible eff
fort has been made within the last fe w
weeks to reduce them. But this is no
easy task. Once accustomed to a Ger.
tain amount of transportation, an army
| is unwilling to do without the luxuries
which it supplies in the field. By the
recent Increase of the army ration,
which was previously larger than in
any other country, considerable
amount of transportation is employed
lin moving provisions and supplies
which are not necessary for the subsis-
tence of the soldiers.
An examination of the returns of the
Quartermaster General, a few days
since, developed the fact that the Army
| - Al. l.