Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-12
The OAntured Brigades.


Il has been remarked the particulars of disat
ter to the Confederate arms 10 Northern Virginia
pscaly, are given reluctantly to the public On the
other hand good is disseminated immediately
For example, the stormng of Winchester by Early was
promptly made known by despatch from the Com
mAnding General but the authentic account of the
bate of Gettysburg did not appear for several months
In vain has the press urged that the people able
20 meet the shock of disaster as the Administration
can be- and argued that correct account is better
than dozen Incorrect aud InA citing Yhs policy
of Aranas and SapphirA of excepting back part" Is
vigorously adhered to- let hope for which
are not wise enough 10 divine 10 comprehend if they
were diVulgsd.
Five days have passed since the affair on the Kappa
hammock, and yet we have only the statements Of
wounded officers to guide US in the formation Of an
opinion of the merits of the case The Yankee papers
of Monday day after the hglt Sunday being dies
non in newspaper s4irs) filed with particulars, in
Guiding an cfi,iL despatch from their Commanding
General Under thess circumstances, it is not to be
wondered that some Of the Confederate journals are
disposed TO cenSurS somebody" in Lees army rather
severely.
Distrustrg the Y4nkee accounts, prefer to await
the appearance Of tclL statements from our side be.
fore We cast stones il the dark. y is quite possible
that the Official report nay not escape from the pigeon
holes Of the War Office for six or twelve months 10
come What matterS Life il long and patience Is Pa
trlOtsm. There are Courts Of Eaquiry, and who does
not know the inestinabe value OF their decisionsS
We must be permitted, however, to express our sin
cere regret at the capture Of large portion of Hays
IL
ing IouisapAns we've worth their weight in gold to the
army which had already Lost its nyincibe Texans
There is nothing TO show that Hokes brigade did rot
fight as brAvey in the late affair tina. of Hays but
he upeIishabe record Of the former in the great
paign in the Valley and in all the mighty battles in Vir
MA Maryland and Pennsylvania, had endesIed il to
the whole country and particularly to the people Of Viz
GINA Before they trained the Lousianians gave
evidence Of the pluck and elan of the soldier by nature.
Their mete Sson became known, and hey were called
on to perform the hardest feats. Tney never
called in Vain II now they lost to Lees army, We
know not where the material will be found 70 rep.
them.
Far from being disheartened by the capture of two
brga1es, We are encouraged. We have observed that
the general engagements which terminated in the signal
repuse of the Grand Army of the Potomac have always
been antedated by trivial How swimmingy
Mcdowell progressed to Manassas How ve1Od We were
at Burnsdes easy occupation Of Fredericksburg aud the
capture Of a regiment or more of Confederates who
guarding the threatened points the river How
alarmed many Of wee when learned that Hooker
had not only repeated Burnsides lucky performance at
Fredericksburg but had anked us besides at Chance-
lorsvlle Yet how dsAstrOusy all these little bits OF
luck ended
Much the fortune ate nded the army of
previous to tho battles of Murfreesboro aud ChckA
mauga and the tickle goddess has played similar tricks
on Lee whenever be has attempted an advance into
the enemy'S territory. Witness The preudes of Win
chester and HArpers Ferry before Sharpsburg and OF
Winchester again. harrisburg, and York before Gettys
burg. Everything begins well, /" says Cousin.
Therefore We look with apprehension upon the bril-
liant little srs at Philadelphia and R)gersville 10 East
Tennessee aud gard almost with favor late dis
cOmhures at BristOe and0 Kely's Ford. Cjuld we be
Induced to hazard prediction, We should say that
BrAgg's patent 'double acting fink movement" will
come to grief, and Lees next fight will end we'll
Meade may decline general engagement but if Re
does nor Lees army will redeem its recent on
the RippahAnnOck. Toe premopitoiy symptoms are
those which have heretofore always heralded great
victory. Let US pray that they may do SO gain.