The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-05-19
as.f Fromth Warrington Chronicle. Mays.
Tl;c Condition of the Army of the
riT1 0E Potomac. ..a qifJ ~

I
From a gentleman connected With one Q
the Pennsylvania regiments which participat
ed in the series of battles of the last few days
and who arrived in this city hast, evening, w
have tho most cheering advices from our army
at Falmouth. Hs was participation in tn,
battles fought under the immediate eve O
Gen, Hooker, and afiirms that never did sol
diers fight better, and never was such admira
bic generalship displayed as on this occasion.
With the exception of the time Of the pani,
in the llth Corps, the men stood as firm al
rocks, and literally moved the rebels down a.
fast as they came up. He bad witnessed
many battles during this war, but be assures
US that never did such immense slaughter o.
human beings take place. Our batteries were
massed at threatened points, and showered
their double shotted contents into the ranks o.
the enemy. '+'''''''''-t-''
7 But while this was taking place. our men
were in great measure screened from the fire
of their opponents. They had been so dis.
posed that they could do the most possible
damage to tue enemy, while not suffering
much from him. The rebel dead were piled
in many places eight and ten deep, and per.
over corpse. He thinks that tho enemy at
least lost four to our one, as Gen. Hooker did
all that he could TO draw them out of their
strosgholas, and then deal as much destruc
tion into their ranks as possble. .-gr
y. THE WITHDRAWAL OF GEN. HOOKER.
The reports that the Army Of the Potomac
has been demoralized, and feel that they hav,
been whipped in being withdrawn across the
Rappahannock, is pronounced by this gentle
man and numerous officer. and civilians with
whom wo have conversed, unqualfedly false.
Never wers our troops in such good spirits,
and never so jubilant over their achievelne ut
over the traitorous hordes AS now, instead OF
thinking tha, the withdrawal was an acknowl-
edgment Of defeat, knew it was wise move-
nent of Gen. Hooker, and would result far
more disastrously to the rebel cause than il
we bad remained at Chance llorsvle. li'''
The knew that Gen. Hooker by simply re-
naming at Charlottesville would keep the
rebels there, but would not destroy ihem--his
main object. To do the latter he had pledged
his word a. soldier; and they knew be would
carry it out as far as lay in bis power. In.
stead, therefore, Of this retrog,ale movement
being considered an ackaow gmeut of defeat,
our soldiers knew it was done for purpose.
The destruction of 5000 rebels they also
knew was better for US than the possession of
a hundred miles of Virginia territory, and the
latter object must be sub,ervien, 10 the former.
They reasoned well. The rebels, taking the
retrograde movement as retreat, followed on,
but for the most part only to find death at
the mouths Of hundreds of our cannon. oi
Our recrossing the Rappahannock was done
in a mastery manner, and was not attendant
with the least casually. The first troops
crossed at 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning,
aud in few hours time all the Corps were
safely on this side.
1t is not necessary 10 say where our forces
arc at pros, Mt, but we unhesitatingly assert
that they are in a fine condition, aud would
march across the Rappahanuock to-day if the
order were given them. ..a''I
They feel that they have leader who does
not only plan victory for them, but leads them
on to it, and also shares their dangers. Where
danger was thick est, there was found" Fight
ing Soe;" and where an advance was to bo
made, or dangerous rebel movement to be
stopped, the same indomitable leader was
present. ,r