The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-07
Defeat OF Bragg
From the Richmond Wing.

From the Richmond Wing.
The meagre details that reach US from
General Bragg in no degree lessen the mag
nitude assigned to his disaster by public
opinion on the reception Of the first news
of tho reverse. The loss of five thousand
prisoners isa painful addendum.to the loss of
the field. Other particulars furnished compel
VI to think that the defeat was little short
of rout and it is probably due to the
failure of the enemy to pursue, that it lacks
any feature of that most deplorable calami-
ty that can befal an army. 1t is far from
pleasant to have to confess that the largest
army we have owes its safety to the want
of enterprise in the enemy; but in this case
We may do so without disparaging the cour
age that has been displayed on too many to
be doubted. A more fatal want than that
of courage-want of confidence in their
ommander-unnerved and paralyzed that
army. An army of towards, we'll disciplined
and trusting in their leader, may fight well;
but an army of brave men. feeling that
they are in the hands of an incom-
petent commander, will fight badly. This
truth has long since formed itself into the
adage that San army of asses led by a lion,
is better than an army of lions led by an
ass" But the safety of the remnant of
Bragg's army is only temporary, unless the
command is immediately change and rein
forcements are sent to its relief. The least
svoidable delay in the first of these steps
is criminal trihing with interests as i'm
portant as were ever committed to the keep
ing of mortal man. If We are not mised
by information that no one would be apt to
discredit, the army now under General
Bragg. disconnected almost to mating be
fore the late disaster, cannot be kept to.
gether under his leadership. 1t is matter
about which the commander-in. chief cannot
now be considered as having any discretion.
Circumstances more imperative even than
the voice of the people demand chang.
Fortunately the service affords more than
one man 50 situated at present as to be
available for this duty, whose transfer the
coxntry and the army will hail with de-
light 1t is unnecessary to name them.--
We think it necessary only to remark that
the value of an effort to retrieve the ca
l,mity that has rsulted from General Bragg's
incumpetency will depend mainly upon the
prnmptne.s with which it is made.
Aux ely for Loasstreet.
From the Richmond Examiner
The position of Longstreet in East Ten
nes>ee is the subject OF frequent and most
anxious inquiry. The news from tnat quar-
ter, AS far as il goes, is very good /; but the
Tong delay in concluding is ust cause of
great uneasiness We are told that Knox
vile is invested on all sides; that Burnside
and his whole force is slut Up; that all 9th
er federal troops in East Tennessee have
lett by way of Cumberland Gap; that Long
stre. is starving his adversary into surren
der Bat we do not know what amount Of
provisions may have been collected in Knox
Vile. Now that Grant has lifted Bragg
from his front, be may prefer sending
part of his army to relieve Burnside to an
advance upon the confederate line of the
Chickamauga. If the federal forces at
Chattanooga moved on Longstreet he would
not wait to be enveloped; and safe retreat
into Virginia or North Carolina is always
open TO him
1.-THE Crisis 10 Upon us.'
From the Petersburg Express.
General Bragg's offisial dispatch, says
the Augusta Coastitstiondlist, conveys the
unwelcome tidings that the enemy, after
several unsuccessful attempts, carried his
left centre, and that his whole left gave way
in considerable disorder and that be is with
drawing to Chicksmauga, The crisis is up
en- US, and the people of Georgia must arouse
themselves to the stern requirements OF the
occasion, and be prepared to meet the over
whelmipg forces Of theinvader BY contesting