The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-23
The Situation or General Rosecra n g.
The Administered 0n.

The Situation or General Rosecrans-
The Administration.
We are not yet in possession Of sufficient in
formation to justify a review of the late sangui-
nary two days battle in the northwestern
corner Of Georgia, from which the army of
General Rosecrans so narrowly escaped an
irreparabc disaster. It will suffice for the
present that he has regained his strong position
at Chattanooga, that Bnrnsdes column IS with
in supporting distance, that the enemy have
'haulcd off to repair damages and that we
have assurances from Washington. which we
hope will be verified, that ''the government has
made preparations for meeting every contin-
gency that is iii ely to occur in the field Of
General Rosecrans' operations"
We cannot, however, resist the question:
How was 1t that Rosecrans with all his expe-
riencc, prudence and sagacity, was drawn into
the snare from which he has SO narrowly
escaped. We have no doubt that this bloody
misadventure was due to that olt-repeated mis-
take at Washington of undertaking the strength,
resources and recuperative powers. skill and
tenacity of the enemy. When General Lee
invaded Pennsylvania, il was not long before
he was threatened on the line Of the Slisque-
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
in addition to the Army Of the Potomac moving
upon his flank. So we have no doubt that, with
the presence on the borders Of Georgia Of the
army Of Rosecrans, menacing the last remaining
railway lines which conpcct that State, and all
the States west Of 1t, with Richmond. the
Georgia Governors levy en- mcsse upon the
Sta,e reserves, or home guards. for short
term, was hade, and that they BY thousands. in
addition to Johnston's rcinforcemcnts and the
rebel bands Of guerillas gathered in from all
sides. sweled the army Of Bragg to such pro-
portions as to render him confident Of decisive
victory. But We apprehend that our War De-
partment took no notice Of these rebel prepare
tons for crushing surprise. or regarded them
with supreme Indifference. Ecausegard's great
army which disappeared so mysteriousiy from
Corinth. was largely made up Of these sixty and
ninety days auxiliares.
II ia somewhat remarkable that this and other
similar lessons from the rebels have never been
improved uaon by the administration except
when Washington haS boen in imminent danger
OF bccumisg the headquarters of Jca. Davis.
But suppose that, in connection with this late
advance OF General Rosecrans, Kentucky aud
Tennessee had been called upon for thirty or
forty thousand volunteers for ninety DAYS and
that with those troops to garrison his depots
and lines OF communication in the rear, he,
with his undiminisbed army OF veterans had
made his advance, who can doubt that his
march for Atlanta would have been glorious
success to our cause and crushing blow to the
enemy, Or, adopting more comprehensive
view OF the subject, suppose the President were
TO issue a proclamation calling for three hun
bred thousand volunteers and militia for term
OF ninety days service, who can doubt that
with their cooperation our armies in the field,
within Mr.. Stewards limitation Of sixty days,
would bring this rebellion to an end
We consider this proposition As sminently
entitled to q favorable consideration by Pre-
sident Lincoln. Thousands Of able-bodlcd mon,
whose private anAirs will debar them from
volunteering and from serving under the con.
scription for The long period OF three years or
the doubtful period Of the war, would cheer.
fully enlist for the short and definite term
Of ninety days, and especially with the con.
viction that our army 10 tho Geld. with an
auxiliary force Of this description OF three
hundred thousand men. would speedily ex-
tinguish the remaining armies Of The rebellion.
There would be no dificulty In raising this
force within few weeks, with the assurance
from President Lincoln that his policy will
be the restoration Of the Union under the con-
ssitution, and not the abolition Of slavery in
advance Of the readmission Of any rebellious
| State,
In another matter of tho lrst Importance, We
hold that IL Ia not too late FOR great reforms
| In the management Of tho army and the navy.
because "it il never too late TO mend.v Had
the present Secretary OF War been anything
bu. an incurablc blundercr this repuisc "a
Roseorsns could not havo followed 80 soon