The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-03-13

The Afmyof the Potomac-lts Demo
ralized Condition. {
The Washington correspondent OF the MIS-
souri, Democrat is Of the opinion that tne
great Yankee Army of the Potomac, apoue
which we have heard so much, 1s now nope
lessly demoralized. The reasons Tor THIS opsn-
ION are given at considerable length out we
have only room for the folowing:
LESS tina Nthree months ago, when Generai
Burnside took command of that army, ne
found 1.-THE most thoroughly organ lied, COM
pact and wieldy body Of men the worid mas =.
ever seen. No man knowing its then condl-
ton now presumes or desires to questlon une
fact that no such magnificent and perfectly
machine-like army Of volunteer men ever
marched forth to battle, as was that; its ofl ers
thoroughly imbued with the spirit. and heartily
acquiescing il, tie plans Of their leader-the
soldiers almost worshipping their command
er, and enthusiastic for action beyond q par
allel 10 history. Less than. ninety days nave
passed and Gen. Burnside, gallant soldier;
whom everybody loves and hoisors, attempts
to move that splendid army Of but yesterday,
and it absolutely falls to pieces in his hands,
and only the storms of heaven save 1t from
destruction. 1t is not that the soldiers are
wanting either in courage, endurance Of pa
thence. These two latter attributes OF the
true soldier they have exemplIfied amid olsas-
ter, and defeat, as no army of volunteers ever
exemplifed them before. Their abiding cou-
rage was attested in their last encounter with
the enemy, when almost every man OF those
who crossed the fated river believed he was
marching into the very jaws of death. Then
what is it Z WIS is this grand army of noble
men and gallant soldiers go utterly demorallz-
ed in less than ninety days. that It Is abso-
lufely powerless to march against the enemy
The facts / have stated. no man n an this
broad land attempts to question; ana the rsa.
sons aud causes will force themselves upon
US, whether we like them or not. Turn where
We will, seek to avoid as We may-retuse to
look at them, the facts stare us IN the lace,
and the cause cannot be put aside, however
much we may attempt it. The soldiers clat
NOR for the leadership Of Mcclellan. That
short sentence tells the whole story. Il am
perfectly aware sof the tender point | touch
here; i know full we'll the opinions Of. the peo-
pie of the west, and also of many here upon
this subject, and to q, very great extent |
share them myself; but I am giving you sim
ply the feelings-the 0ninass of the army of
the Potomac what every man who has seen
and conyersed with the men, who mingled
with the soldiers in their camps, visited the
MANNED in their hospitals, knows beyond a
peradventure to be the indisputabfe fact. |
think myself that much of their confidence is
misplaced; that the campaigns of General Nc
CIellaD have not been such as to inspire his
soldiers with such unqaestioning faith in his
generaIship; but they view it.in different
light; it is no debatable question with them.
They claim every fight upon the peninsula q
brilliant victory for them; every argument to
the contrary is offensive. and insulting to
them, and they assert that Antistam confirms
their position; and since that memorable and
well-fought and won battle, they idolized him
more than ever.
know it is our duty to stand by every
commander placed over our ARMY, hope for
the best and speak assuringly for success
But the present change will be unproductive
of good results. Nobody undSrates the gal
liant Jo. Hooker as . fighting general aud
belieFe that if the army could place implicit
confidence in him, he would give them victory
and our cause success. But they have not
that confidence; they believe him less conipe-
tent to handle that vast army than was Burn.
side; and the additional changes following the
resignation Of che latter have only increased
their distrust and dissatisfaction. Franklin's
grand division had the highest possible esti-
nation Of their commander, and his removal
has had very disastrous effect upon them.
Summers resignation points Enthusiastically to
his distrust of Hooker and his unwiilingness
to serve uader him; and the troops Of his old
division, who followed him with the pride and
devotion with which noble mastif follows
his master, have their distrust fortified, and
their dissatisfaction IS intense. 1t is we'll that
the setting in of the winter in its worst form
precludes all attempts at military movements
for some time to come; for in the present tenn
per of the Army Of the Potomac, | should
fear the worst consequences to our arms. 1t
has rained for : week past, and just closed
up with six or eight inches of snow. Mud,
almost bottomless mud, reigns Supreme, and
the roads are utterly impossible for troops and
artillery.
Abolition Philanthropy Sambo North
and Sambo South.
LIE view IcrK caucasian mas received from
"The National Freeman's Relief Society," the
following polite invitation:
HE THAT GrvETH so THE POOR 1ENDErH TO
THE LORD"
New YoRK, January. 1863.
Dear Sir:-Eou have it in your power to
render the cause Of humanity and religion i'm
portant service. VIII you allow this appeal
to reach those under your influence, and make
such nsa Of the facts here en,hnaiad no -, 90 II