The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-07-30

guno0ats to protect him from complete de-
structiOn.
Now, is ii possible for the Government az
the United States to get together another
army, better disciplined or more formida-
blei Yet this army is beaten by not one
n third their numbers: actually engaged, and
by Southern troops. the greater part Of whom
had never been in battle. Indeed, there
was no difference in the fighting between
those who had been previously in battles
and those who had not. The Southern
troops were sustained by principles, which
were a substitute and an over-match for
mere discipline. And their numbers engag-
ed in these battles did not exceed fifty thou
sand. These were engaged by Divisions.
A considerable part Of the Confederate ar
my never entered into action at all. The
enemy, on the contrary, could not have been
less than 100000, and they we're estimated,
from all the information obtainable by our
Generals, at 10000. Certainly they we're
numerous enough--just as numerous as an
unlimited command OF men and means
could dictate, however they now strive to
make it appear. Yet they are beaten--and
beaten behind entrenched positions, with
all the advantages that science and artillery
and selected fields could afford. Of the Wis
dom and generalship on our part which al
lowed them to have all these advantages, il
is not our purpose now to inquire. They
have, unnecessarily, cost us thousands Of
lives. But the stronger we allowed the enc
nv to become. the more conclusive is their
defeat. of their inability to conquer US. Il
is not 10 be presumed that our war tactics
will again leave our enemy such extraordi-
nary and unheard Of advantages, in any fu-
ture battles, but supposing that they are re-
peated, what hope Of conquering the Con-
federate States do they afford the United
Statesf If they are defeated behind half
dozen entrenched positions. They must
march in the country invaded, and drive
out or disperse the armies opposed to them.
Active, free field operations are absolutely
necessary. In such warfare in the South,
can there be doubt in the mind Of any SEN
sible Northern man Of the result In the
light Of plain practical experience, the mat
4 ter is settled. The Southern troops have
beaten the Northern troops in every pitched
battle and at length, with inferior numbers,
have yanquished their. great aud choicest
army, with all the advantages that the art of
war and fortifcations and cannon can i'm
part.
We never had doubt that this would be
the result, whenever our war policy should
be aggressive, 1t is at length made aggres-
siye, under the very worst circumstances
that the wit Of man could devise. Yet il is
triumphant. Let il 90 on 10 triumph. Let
the inconceivable faulty which has kept
our armies inactive at the geat central points,
by which the South has been desolated by
invasion. now give way to an active aggres-
sive policy, by which the war, with all its
evils, shall be transferred TO the territories
Of enemies. II the battle Of Manassas had
been followed up. and the Army of the Po-
tomac had, last summer, carried on an ac-
tive campaign. the South would never have
been invaded. The late battles near Rich
mond prove this. The enemy is already. 10
some extent. leaving South Carolina and
Georgia. Endanger Washington and Phil.
adelphia, and their troops never would have
invaded our coast, and are now Fastening to
defend them. How much suffering aud blood
has it cost Us to see, SO late, this obvious
truth