Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-02-19
Comments of the Richmond Papers
From the Richmond Dispatch, Feb, III

From the Richmond Dispatch, Feb, H.
-HE DISASTER AT ROANOKE ISLAND.
The exciting occurrence at Roanoke
Island, resulting in a reverse to our arms,
was the theme of conversation yesterday
in the city, to the exclusion of almost
every other topic. The fact that some
of our Richmond companies were en-"
gagged in the fight occasionedan an intense
and painful anxiety, particularly among
those who had friends or relatives among
them, which could not be well concealed
1t is but short period since the Wise Lee
gion, after an arduous and toilsome cam
paign in Western Virginia, left here fol-
the coast Of North Carolina, and though
now defeated in one Of the most desperate
conflicts of the war, it is at least consoling
to know that the men fought with deter
mined bravery, az ainst overwhelming
odds, ard won for themselves the proud
appellation ofheroes, of which their pres
ent situation cannot deprive them.
The telegraph informs US that our Kill
led and wounded amounts to 800, while
that Of the enemy reaches l000 The rea
der will find some further particulars Of
the affair in our Norfolk papers, from
which it appears the scoundrels have shell
led and burned the pleasant little town oi
Elizabeth City, and are threatening Eden
ton. Their operations in that quarter
however, will be limited and instead o.
depressing the spirits of our people, such
acts of vandalism will serve to make them
more determined, and rouse them tc
thrice vigorous resistance.
From the Richmond Examiner, February I'll
For the unfortunate general who wa
compelled to hear on a sick bed-perhap
to witness from the windows of sicL
chamher-the destruction of his army anC
the captivity of his son, we have not
word of blame. To him the fates are ad
verse in this wer, as they have been T.
many other brave men in other wars hi
calamity deserves sympathy and com
mands silence.
Nor is il necessary or useful to ask hoy
those troops and gunboats came to b
there without the ordinary supply of am
munition or, indeed, why our men wer
sent to worthless island, where their fat
could only be what it was, when attacke
by great naval armament. What
more important for present consideratio
Is the eAleHb VI llS uisaSleT anu lLS COuse
quences.
1t is limited to the loss of troops
There are persons who dream that nothin
, now prevents the enemy from cutting tn
|, Southern railroad, capturing Norfolk, tax
ing Richmond, &c, because he has take
, Roanoke. 1t is sufficient to suggest thj
= Roanoke is an island, and, like Hattera
commands nothing but a neighborin
coast.
To reach the railroad or any other poir
= the enemy must make an inland marcl
impossible without opposition at this SCI
son, and always impossible when the GOV
ernment and people are ready to meet hi
on the road TO touch any vulnerab
6 point he must quit his ships, fight whel
t he can have no support aud where OF
/. troops can be increased without limit.
The enemy tried the experiment aft
Hatteras, and will not probably try to r
peat it.
The moral effect at the North will
e like the light Of straw on fire. In thr
h days it will burn itself out and he forge