The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-10-03
General Lees Object in Maryland.

General Lees Object in Maryland.
From the Richmond En4nirer, 25ih ultl
Military operations are not conducted
on haphszard chance nor do generals
march their armies about like roaring
liens, seeking whom they may devourp
but accomplish their purpose 5y pre-ar-
ranged campaigns, having certain and
we'll defined objects. Cen Lee did not
march out Of Richmond towards the
sources OF the Chickahominy seeking an
enemy; bat knowing the position Of his
enemy, he performed those celebrated
man@uvres by previously arranged
pan; nor did he move his army to Pied
mont Virginia, without first determining
what would be his course upon reaching
the theatre of war. So also as to his
march into Maryland--that too, had an
object and purpose, being different from
what the enemy supposed, as well as
what our people believed.
1t was not step towards invading
Pennsylvania, nor yet was it made only
to raise Maryland. The real objects were
the capture of the Yankee force, at Har-
per's Ferry and the drawing of McClel-
Ian out of Washington, and incidentally
the rousing of Maryland. While his proc
lamation to the people of Maryland de.
ceived his enemy and manifested TO the
world the difference between the Con-
lederate manner of conducting the war
and that Of our enemies, it completely
disguised his principal object.
His march to Frederick and his proc
lamatlon assembled at Washington brig
AIDES and regiments which could have
been sent via Chambersburg and Hagers-
town to the relief OF Harper's Ferry. Hao
General Lee marched directly on Har
per's Ferry, his design would have beer
understood and prevented by the inme
date evacuation of the place and retreat
into Pennsylvania, or directly to Wash
ington. In military operations the most
circuitous route may be the shortest way
to accomplish an object; and as the final
purpose of every campaign is most care
fully concealed, appearances are made
deceptive, and the people at home as
well as the enemy, are both deceived
Now that the capture Of Harpers Ferry
end the battle of Sharpsburg reveal the
object of the movement into Maryland,
every one must admire the strategetic
talents of our distinguished general, and
his wonderful power of combination be-
comes more apparent as we contemplate
the skilful manner in which he delayed
McClellan's army, destined to relieve
Harper's Ferry, and postpone the engage
ment in general battle until the beseig
ing force from Harper's Ferry could come
up. Having captured Harper's Ferry,
the campaign closed.
He then turns on Mcclellan, and fights
the battle Of Sharpsburg--a battle in
which he had nothing to lose, but every
thing to gain; and in which the enemy
had nothing to gain, but everything to
lose. If General Lee had been defeated
at Sharpsburg nothing would have been
determined by the battle, because, by
crossing into Virginia, he was approach
ing his base of operations and drawing
the enemy further from theirs. McClel-
Ian discovered General Lees design too
late to prevent its execution. Harper's
Ferry, with its garrison, armament, arms
and stores, all fell into our hands. A
glorious termination of splendid cam
paigu.
The first campaign Cor the relief OF
Richmond, terminated at Malvern Hill.
When Mcclellan retreated to Berkeley,
General Lee did not follow and attempt
the humiliation of the Federal army,
which might have so weakened 1t that
the second campaign Tor the relief OF
Richmond-that in Piedmont, Virginia
could not have been Immediately UNI
dertaken. And again, when the cam
paign against Pope eliminated in the
splendid victories of Manassas General
Lee did not pursue the shattered army
to Washington, because the remnants o
the two Federal armies were not to be
despised behind Notifications. But ou
distinguished General projected thu
movement into Maryland as cover t,
his march against darper's Ferry, and TO
the purpose of drawing Mcclellan out Q
Washington. He has entirely succeeded
Harpers Ferry has fallen, and McCieI
Ian, entced sixty.fve miles from Wash
ington, has been defeated. Such glori
Gus trumphs should teach our people
the utmost reliance on General Lee, anc
make them easy even when they do mo-
understand his movements.
Congressional.
RIcHnoSp, Sep. 29.--ln the Senate Mr.
Semmes, Of Louisiana, submitted reso
luton declaring Lincoln's emancipation
proclamation a gross outrage upon the