The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-06-07
Military xauagsmsat

~~s'S sss ssfC sSssSos W 0Cos ASssoS
across the Potomac have brought to
light the fact-which. indeed. might
have been seen Lefore-tRaf tie Union
forces ksvs no reserves to JaH back upon
in case Of disasser. Hence. the 6rst re.
verse. even though Of distant division
Of the army. was thought to endanger
the national Capital.
lti'. unquss'ionably. q great blundsr
on The part Of somebody-and We can
perceive only the War Department a.
fault. as the head Of all ac,ion-in thus
leaving the entire cause and country ex.
posed to the hazards Of "a single battle.
Suppose Gen. Hallcck should have
been defeated at Corin,h. and Bull
Run stampede have followed, where
would the rebels under tie uuscrupu-
ious Beauresard have found any imped
iMent to their devastating march ,hro'
the entire North-West? There Was no
barrier. We had no reserves. II Hal
'<ck had been disas,rously defeated the
whole country was open to the rebels.
It's enough 10 make loyal men tremble
when they contemplate the fact that all
uepends upon the least Of a single die. -
its true the militia of each State could
oe called Out. and the enemy repelled;
ont who can measure the evil lha,
would follow such disaster rs defeat
We Say there is no need of defea,
And Yet the chances Of war are alwavs
hazardous, and small accident. as the
m'sco"cep''on Of an order. might at the
critical moment turn The scales ayaius,
u.s. And the larger the army the great.
er the panic. as a rule, when once il is
thrown in confusion. /. is enou IN 10
stariie the country to think Of ,re DOS
>ibility Of such fearful occurrence and
no prorision made for Il.
Generals Of departments ought 10
look to this matter. il will be said: and
We admit they should. But they are
hatle TO err: and in the face Of strong
Toe, II is natural that they should desire
the presence Of all the men whose SER
vices can be commanded. The War
Department, 1t seea:s to us. ough. to
hase an eye 10 this mstter, and see that
reserves are properly disposed at all
points where they are needed.
VI IS plain. in this view Of the case
that Gen. Fremont acted the part Of a
WISE general IN fortifying ST. Louis. 70,
which act he was so much condemned
u our armies every where had fortified
camps to Gall back upon. il would be a
great advantage. Fremont saw This
and prepared for an emergency: but
prejudice and envy cabaled against him
and he was removed. II is row demon
strated that he acted With sound dis.
creiivn.
II appears that Banks army wss
weakened by order of the Presideu,
with the advice of the Secretary Of Wa,
and military men. Il vas no, though,
probable that the rebels would attack
him. .snd McCl-lIand needed more men
1t WAS natural lor all to desire success a,
Richmond; bu, no department should be
jaopardised under any circumstances.
The rebels expected 10 capture Banks
and all his forces. and il present reports
be correct, Banks deserves much credit
sor escaping with all his men and trains.
1t strikes Ne as . mastery piece oi
geEeraishiP.
Another fact is also made plain BY
th &c demonstrations Of the enemy,
namely. that they are thoroughly posted
IN reference to the movements Of oar
forces. The secessionists are spies
everywhere. and being spared By our
army. they 60 from the very midst ol
the ranks or from head quarters. and
report to the rebel leaders. Hence the
great advantage they have over US.
We might partly coun,erbalance this
evil we're it not for the consumate folly
oferciuding and discosrcgiag the slaves
from our lines. The segroes are tie on
ty reliable friesds sce hare in nsosf Of
As rr6et States. and We ought 10 en-.
courase their proffers Of friendship BY
every means in our fower. and give
Liberty to sve'y clare seko brings impor-
soM issel;gesee from tie enemy. II a
proelanation 10 this effect should be
circulated among the slaves. and their
Efforts to aid us met in proper spirit.
we should never be in want Of quite re-
liable Information Of the movements Of
the Zoe, and could act much more bold
ir n our sdvanecs. knowing where TO