Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-07
Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Dec. -, 1862.
Two years ago last night this war. whicfr
is now raging with such devastating fury
in this country, may be said to have
practically had its origin. It was upon
that historic night that Major Anderson.
evacuated Old Fort Moultrie, and occu-
pied Fort Sumpter, per necessity, with
his devoted little band. By that act II
was virtually promulgated TO the world,
by a United States officer, that Secession
was a declaration of war, and that those
people in the vicinity Of the Forts were
looked upon as the avowed and deadly
enemies of the Federal Government.
At no time during the past eventful
two years has there been so much despon-
dency and encouragement among the
people in relation to the conduct of the
war, as has been manifested -dnring the
two weeks that have interviewed since
the late disaster to our Grand Army" nj
Fredericksburgh. Many, not satisfied
with finding fault with this or that Gen
eral or Public Functionary, have allowed
themselves, without any definite infor-
nation as to facts, to pass a wholesale
censure upon all those who happen 70 be
in power. They cnt right and left. not
sparing even insignificant subordinateS.-
They seem at times 20 be devoid of even
heart or hope, those essential qualities of
a great people. Republics are very rarely
ruined by military disaster alone. 1t
must be borne in mind that a great ma
ton, long wrapped in the repose of peace.
is not quick to develop its dormant mill
tary capacity. Its armies may be defeat
ed time and again it may give largely of
its o n and treasure it may be driver
to the very wall by Its enemies and yet,
fit maintains itsintegrity, and continues
to manifest a stout heart and courageous
disposition, there is great hope of its ul-
innate complete triumph over all its enc
mics.
In looking over the events Of the last
two years, l am sure l am unable to dis
cover what reasons any have for believing
that the Government is losing ground in
this great contest. On The contrary. our
lines have been extended and advanced
far into the rebellious territory, drivingl
everything before them, except in the
vicinity Of Richmond. But what is
Richmond to US if we can be successful
elsewhere? We can subdue the rebellion
and completely conquer the rebels, with
out taking Richmond. I fear that word
has already lost us many noble and brayeI
men.
The Mississippi is nearly open to Us
from the Lakes to the Gulf, and, very
likely before this communication shall
reach you, it viii be entirely so. We
have had astonishing success in Arkansas
and Missouri. Rosecrans and Grant are
moving their Grand Armies upon the
rebels under johnson, whileGen. Sherman
is moving in concert with them down
the Miss isippi River. Foster has been
playing the mischief with the rebels and
their railroads in tie Old North State
Banks will appear shortly with 4 large
and effective force at some important
point, where he viii be heard from, and
.. last but not least Jeff Davis has stir
red up "Old Ben Butler by Illuminating
a proclamation against him and his Off
GERS. While on ali sides our armies APP
pear to be moving in the right direction,
it is a great pleasure to believe that the
Army of the Potomac is not to remain
inactive during the winter months. 1t
is not demoralized and discouraged, as
some have enormously reported, nor has
il lost confidence in It's Chief. Although
it was unsuccessful in It's attempt to carry
the works of the enemy, at Fredericks-
under its present commander. the
brave men who compose it look up to
General Burnside with more confidence
and hope than they ever did before the
disaster. The battle Of Fredericksburgh
was lost to US by one of those accidents
hat follow in the wake Of every army
General Burnside has gained favor and
influence, not only among his own troops,
1ut among all loyal people, by the manly,
generous and selfsacriicing tone of his