Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-07-21
TICKSBURG AND LONDONDERRY.

We have repeatedly protested against cxcu-
ling Gen. Johnston by accusing General Penn
bcrtun. We hcieve both officers to have done
their best, and hence desire to see both treat
cd with cven-handel justice.
The example made of the fortitude and en-
lurancc of the defenders of Londonderry by
the EXAMINER would havo been more TO
the point had Gen. Johnston, like kirke, re-
lieved the bcsieged or had Gen. Johnston in
formed Gen. Pemberton that he would, in
course Of time, relieve him. Neither of these
could Gen. Johnston do, and Gen. Pembcrton
was left the alternative to surrender and save
the garrison, or to continue for a short time
longer the contest, with further assaults and
further loss, to be compelled eventually to
surrender.
The Washington telegram, quoted by
the "Examincr," says that "the stock Of
rebel ammunition also proves to be sur
prsingly hcavy-"quartermaste stores" at
81 00O,O 900; 'of sugar molasses and salt there
are large quantities. Sixty thousand pounds
on to say that:
AN opinion, entitled TO respect, prevails
here that Pemberton was not forced by the
necessities OF the siege to capitulute and tue
Sccessonis,s charge him with treason to the
cause of rebellion"
The last paragraph escsf Ped the "Exami-
ner - it contains the real purpose of the tele-
gram, and for it the preceding falschoods
were published If tie enemy can succeed
in sowing the seeds Of distrust and want Of
confidence in the general officers Of the Con-
federate army. they will have accomplished
more than by their arms they have yet CT
fccted
We have before US correspondence Of the
New York Herald" from Iicksburg, of July
5th, giving detailed account of the surrender
and the condition of the city. We shall set
one Yankee account against the other.
lie says
One of the most marked evidences of the
obStinacy of purposc-the despcrati0n-wi;h
which the enemy defended Iicksburg, was
evinced in the reduced condition Of the COM
misScriat of their army. The alimcntary sup
plies on hand when our troops entered the city
consisted OF mule meat Of an inferior quality,
old rice. q small quantity of corn meal and a
sean, supply Of vegetables gathered within
their fortiicatlons
above all, though the greatest source of
alarm was tho scarcity of percussion caps, and
had another assault been made, the garrison
could not have held out an hour, except at the
point of the bayonct The men in the trenchrs
skirting the city had not. when they capitulated,
| more than an average Of twenty-five caps each
| in their pouches The main fear, it seems, on
the part Of the General commanding, was of an
assault on the Fourth, in event Of which no op-
position worthy of consideration could have
been offered Ivy the garrison, while our own
men could have annihilated them with terri
bic and sanguinarv musketry fire.
"ln view of these considerations. we wonder
| not ut the wisdom Of the rebel officers in avoid
ing such disastrous results, and surrendering
ut once
The enemy's works were within few feet
of the detences of Ficksburg, desperate as.
sault was known to have been arranged for
the 4th of July-an assault which would have
to be met with twenty-five percussion caps to
each man in the trenches. How long such de.
fence would have held out against such an assault
can easily be estimated. The assault would
in all probability, have been successful, and
attended with the slaughter of the ':227 DOC
men," who arc now alive, and can soon take
their places in the defence of their country
Such death would have been more hero
ic and would have rounded of historical
periods perhaps with more gracefulness than
this surrender, but would not the loss of that
gallant army have been q much more seriou.
blow to the Contederacy!
The soldiers who have TO do the fighting
and the dying have not yet complained tina,
they were not permitted to be butchcred tc
make Yankee holiday. 1t is easy to write
of Saragossa and Londonderry, and to make
historical examples of endurance and forti
tude badly compare with the conduct of Con
federate soldiers. But Nicksburg, we dare
say, is sufficient Saragossa for every sol
| dier that was within its defences