Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-03-21
That Manassas Affair.

Never has there been more auspicious OPP
porunity for the achievement of brilliant
military reputation than that which General
Mcclellan has just permitted to slip through
his fingers. His military conduct is absolute
ly inexpliceblc, The country now knows that
on the 27th Of January, he, in common with
other commanders, wds ordered to advance his
army of the Potomac by the 22d Of Februa-
r.. I he other commanders executed the order
they had received from the President The
country has seen the result. They have seen
Buel seizing upon Fort Henry and storming
Fort Donclson-a stronger post than Nanas-
sas ever was!-compelling the evacuation of
Bowling Green, and Of Columbus, and march
ing straight upon Nashville. sending back an
army of $4,000 prisoners, clearing Kentucky
and Tennes zee of treason, opening them to
mails AMI peaceful trade; thus breaking down
The very trunk Of rebellion in the Mississippi
tyageJ. But all remained quiet on the Poto-
mat!
The people have seen the gallant and inde-
fatigable Curtis and his invinciblc troops, pur-
suing the retreating Price. following the reb-
cl army Of the Southwest through the wiId5 of
/ Missouri .anj into the Ozark Mountains Of
Arlansas. over country Of mud and snow, of
uncut roads and unbridged streams, and after
pursuit uncqualled III the campaign. utterly
routing the refreshed and reinforced foe, and
dispensing his rebel lands in irrecuverable
confusion. But the chronic quietude Of the
Potomac was unbroken =! The people have
seen the chivaIrous burnside falling upon the
rebel coast like thundergolt of war, deEioI-
ishng their feet, overwhelming their arElies,
seizing their towns, and advancing upon their
Capital. But the dignifed quiet that had for
eight mouths ptevailed upon the classic shores
of the Potomac remained undisurbed The
people heard the laundering of the Union ar
I tilery, peal upon peal followed by the shout
Of victory around the whole sky; but there
was no lightning CLEAN from the cloud that
hovered over TIE Potomac! There, all was
silence and darkness and mystery! There was
Il commander. with host that 10 man could
number, and which had been .gathored and e
| qqipped and sustained at cost Of sir hundred
| laliion dcilarS? but whr vas Is motiopless
| as the sheeted dead. That commander was
/ letel and toasted, was flattered and ttoasted
was biographed and photographed; the 5au:
| ncr of the rebel foe was continually aallnting
in his sight; their guns h!ogkaded the Nations
Gaptali the very ioe,Land forage that Sustain
ed that commanders host had,zhlIde~ cover of
the night q run the g;gHntlet OF rebel guns in
hearing Sefshis camp; aud yet Fhe- covered his
! moufL with sience,,a gave ne sign of a for
! ward Eoveipent., ~When urged by the Cibi
net aatl the people-sthe leares of HE Jores
are = wassthe reply. Rhe.ffost. calnt
and d.the le's IS fell ard when urged again ~ h
artillery Is i,.sutiieie nt 2--was the response
j Additional guns were eEdpred and supplied
/ aud when urged again, ,-"the mud IS TOO dep
was the. excuse for delay. Anon. aud while
1 yet slumbering oyer the Presidents order. Il
] ADVANCE, that Hebel ferce baGere which he hat
\ stood Tor half ;tyear, werc allowed to quietly
peacefully and lei>arelydepart. taking witI
1 than their, artillery, arms, baggagees=and mu
nitiens; pe;rPing to that commanJsD, ,DwheG h,
should come to looE in qpqf the. place whcr'
theggAqd been, The scoll'mg taunt of battery
of d1ainted logs, known among soldiers, "a
4 'qiEkers - =
When he had stood there motioaless faE fou
4 mouths, his laudators saidl it was his policy t
Y hold 4he rebels there, ''as in a vice. aud W
tr&ted if& Now his apologiSts and courtier
tell US that this permitting the whole rebel ar
mg to retire without firing gHnr was "a par
of his pan" We dre sorry to say that We be
gin TO believe it. And lhere are this day ten
Of thousands of others s%ho begin to beI;ev
tthat such was his plan It was not withou
meueing that i asagaeioa3 Senator at Washing
ton. said,-"A worse defeat was sustained b
Eus at Manassas last Monday, than at Bull Iiu
IFslastaJuIy " This he said under gHeat depress
n ion Of hope for the future. And yet, for thi:
.that commander has received qlogy and plal
: dits.-State Jaitrnai