Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-10-02
TERMS on ADvERTIsTrc.
From the Richmond Dispatch.

Our people have been spoiled so thoroughly by the
constant succession of victories that have marked the
progress OF our arms for the last four MONTHS that they
bear even the appearance of with less patience
than We had right to expect from the same mer WHOSE
noble fortude, st time when our city was actually
beeagHered by the enemy, made them the admiration
the world. 1t is proper, then, to institute an ex.
animation into the facts of our position, in order
ascertain what real ground there may be for discourage
ment in the present state Of affairs.
1t appears, then that on Sunday 14th September ,
the corps of D. II. Hill attacked by the entire force
OF McCleian that after obstinate resistance one
wing was forced to give ground that it retired slowly
lighting as it fell back and routed that
reinforced by L0ngsreet recovered oil it had lost
and slept upon the field of battle that Gen. Lee hav
ing come up, removed the two corps to position in
the rear at Sharpsburg ); that Monday and Tuesday
were spent in cannonading at long taw that or
"Wednesday general battle fought, in which Gen
Lee obtained decided advantage; and that on Thurs
day evening" perfectly at his leisure he Withdrew his
army across the Potomac, without being molested lv
the eremy This last fact is sufficient to prove that be
could not at least have been very badly beaten for the
Yankee papers, anticipating such movement, pro-
claimed in advance that he would certainly be destroy
ed in attempting to pasAthat river.
But there are other facts to show that be by nc
means withdrew because he was beaten. A young
officer who in the battle of Wednesday, and who
TO this city Sunday in charge of the remains Of
Gen Starke who was killed says that our army slept
the field Wednesday night, fully expecting and fully
prepared TO attack the enemy next morning. but when
morning came be was nowhere to be seen. He bad
abandoned all his positions and left for parts unknown
Not man was to be seen. Scouts sent out in various
directions, were unable to procure any hdngs of him
The woods were sheed in all directions, but without
any effect. 1t evident, then, that he had gone oil
IN the night. Had either sneaked eff Berkeley fashion
or had withdrawn to operate on some other portion
our line. Gen. Lee believed lie had passed bis flank
to make movement on Harper's Ferry and get in his
rear He resolved to anticipate him. He therefore
fell back to position this side of the river, where
be prepared to hWart any movement be may attempt
to make. Surely, there is nothing like check far less
defeat, in all this. On the contrary, it is evident
that We were victorious on Wednesday. We acted on
the defensive. The enemy tried whole day to drive
US from position. He utterly failed. We held cur
position, and slept on the ground ready to renew tie
contest the next day.
He not only made 10 more attempts to drive US from
our position, bat abandoned his own In The night, tn
every appearance Of having despared of beating
1t was renewal of the incidents recorded OF the battle
Of Monmouth in the revolutionary war, when troop
slept their arms and found the British gone in tia
morning. Yet Monmouth has always been regarded
American victory. Our total loss in the battle is
set down at 5000 probably exaggerated estimG to-
which would cover the entire casualties from Sunday
to Wednesday night inclusive. That of the enemy is
stated by eye-Witnesses to have been several times
greater 1t should not be omitted that Mcclellan lett
his dead and wounded behind him sure proof tha t
be Yves defeated
Our people disappointed because we did not gain
victory as decisive as those around Richmond and at
Manassas. They cannot expect such victories always.
1t should be recoected that the great object of the
operations in Maryland the capture of the Yankee
army of the Valley That object triumphantly
complished. The whole army fell into hands
IL O9O in condition for service, 425 officers, 73
pieces Of cannon, enormous quantity Of ammu1tiOn
200 wagons, 1890 horses, and 1000 runaway negroes
1t should also be remembered, that this capture
effected, in spite of the attempts of Mcclellan, with his
whole force, to prevent it. Surely, he mast bt very
exacting who would require greater results from
the operations Of ten days They among the most
brilliant Of which lave any account in any part
the world. They ineomparabIy surpass the boes'ed
chievement Of Fort Doneson, over which IL YaDkeedcu
went absolutely mad. The whole number OF prisoners
taken at Fort Doneson was exactly 5C99-so says the
Chicago Times exclusive Of officers. The lying Y an
KEGS claimed 600.