Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-01-01
The New Year-Review of the Past.

The New Year Review of the Past.
We wish "Happy New Year" to all our
readers. We wish the same TO our beloved
country-our whole country. Tha! 1t may
prove 90. let us all fervently pray and diligent-
ly woik. But 1t may be well to glance briefly
at the events Of the year just closed, that we
may gather wisdom for our guidance In fu
ture.
On the frat day Of Jaauary, 1862, leading
rebel journal, the Richmond Ezsminer, opened
New Years article with the following Ia.
msnt: "The year closed under gloomy aus
pices; with check at Dranesville and ru-
nored disaster In Missouri. The year which
has begun opens with evil tidings."
These "evil tidings" for the rebels contin-
ued to come thicker and faster. In January,
they were routed In the battle of Mill Springs;
In February, Forts Henry and Donelson were
captured, and Roanoke Island and Nashville
were occupied By Union troops.
March brought continued disasters to the
rebel cause. Our troops occupied Fernsndins,
Florida; the rebels were forced to abandon
their stronghold at Manassas; they we're worst.
ed In the battle Of Pea Ridge, Arkansas; in
the great naval fight In Hampton Roads, our
little Monitor. proved superior to the bossted
rebel iron-clsd Merrimae; and the Union loss
In the battle Of Winchester was trebled, IL not
quadrupled, BY that of the rebels.
April opened with still gloomier prospects
for the rebels. Early In the month, the bloody
battle Of Shiloh was fought, In which, though
the rebels had the advantage at first, they were
finally forced 70 retire, and some six weeks
aftsrWard compelled to abandon their strong
Notifications at Corinth. In April, also, the
rebels we're forced to abandon their famous
stronghold. Island No. 10, leading early In
June to the occupation of Fort PILLOW and
Memphis by the Union forces. April witnessed,
also, the capture Of Fort Pulaski BY our troops;
their occupation Of Huntsville, Alabama, and
their capture Of New Orleans.
The Summer opened with the Peninsulsr
campaign of General MoCLrLLAH. The rebels
were forced to abandon their stupsndous and
seemingly impregnable Notifications ct York
town, and to hasten their flight to Richmond.
General McCLELLAN pursued, fighting them at
Williamsburg and elsewhere, until he laid siege
to the rebel Capital itself, in which the enemy
had concentrated nearly all bis military strength
To capture Richmond and take or disperse the
rebel forces, reinforcements, which General Nc
GILLIAN had from time TO time, after bis arri.
val in the Peninsula, asked for, we're absolutely
needed. They were withheld. The General
was compelled, In order to save his army. to
change its position to point below Richmond on
the James river. This he effected with con-
summate skill, after fighting the rebel forces
successfully for seven days, and secured q safe
position for his gallant army. But neither here
was he reinforced, but ordered on the Sd Of Au-
gust to evacuate the Peninsula, movement
which he successfully accomplished without loss
Of men, arms or stores.
We must hasten rapidly on. The refusal to
reinforce General MoCLELLAn In the Peninsuls
was the turning point in the course Of the war
for 1862. With that refusal came disaster and
defeat to the Union arms, and the loss Of that
prestige which those arms had won In the early
part Of the year. ItWas followed BY the disas-
ters that befel POPE's army in August, and
which eli remember but to lament. The haaty
retreat Of BANKS on Washington Was slso q
r.ooasarv aeuuanco 1as