The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-13

The gigantic plans Of Gen. Hooker begin To
be understood. They contemplated aothing less
shan the crushing out Of the rebel army Of Yir-
ginia, and the taking Of Richmond b. comp De
main How near this came OF being successful
remains To be seen. We have endeagored TO
give, in another column, some~ hat detailed
account Of the events which followed the eros
sing Of the RappahannOck, by the army Of tie
gallant Hooker, the brilliant strategy which be
exhibited, and the Withdrawal o; bis 'efces
across the river.
As can ascertain, the reasons for
bis withdrawal from the south bank a. the Rap.
pabannock are a. follows
First. The detection Of the llth army corps,
compelling Hooker slowly TO contract his lines
antil he found it extremely difficult 20 manmu-
yer bis army.
Second. The sudden rise in the river. threat
eniag TO cut of biz Communications
Third His being unable to learn the results
Of Gen. Stoneaan expedition
Fourth The non-arryal Of rrinfsrc enent.,
resulting in Gen SedgWick being defeated by
an overwhelming force, ana driven across the
river
We believe it a i'll be shown that no blame at
taches to Gen. Hooker 10 this matter. We 10
not doubt that be did all that a good General
could do, under the circumstances, and With
the force he had, TO secure victory Had Heint
zeuan's force been able 10 back the daring but
weak handed Sedgwick, Lees army Nigh, have
been routed and driven from the field The TACT
that Richmond was stripped Of troops, until II
was ab Olutely deienseless, shows ho~ the rebels
concentrated their forces they always do, up
on the spot whore the contest il 10 bee decided.
But it Is useless to speculate upon = hat might
have been. We must accept the facts ~ they
are, and gather our strength fer other blows
The Rappshannook is not the only point FROM
which we can deal death to the enemy, nor 10
we believe Rockers army disabled from again
assuming the offensive. The rebels regainei
their position only at most fearful cost TO them
selves, and if accounts Of Gen StoRernan'
achievements are correct, they are even now IN
a position of extreme peril
Should the army OF the Potomac now remain
inactive, may look for stirring news from 9TH
er quarters. Gen. Grant has cut OF communica-
ton from Vcksburgh, and we expect the Fed
eral troops will be speedily in possession Of that
stronghold. The achievements of Gen Bauks
in Louisiana more than compensate for the re-
verse at Frederieksburgh and Rosecrans is un-
doubtedly prepared to again throw his yctori-
Gus army nDon the rebels in Tennessee
This If iuc to indulge in gloomy OF des-
pondsnt thoasht-- The experiences through
which We have pas should lead u to be nei-
ther too highly elated by success, nor teo great
ly depressed by reverses Even upon the Rap
pahannock VIC arc, if anything, better OF than
before the recent movement commenced, for
there is no doubt that We have inflicted great
injury upon the enemy, while our own strength
is not materially impaired.
In any event, the American people are not to
be shaken from their purpose OF putting down
the rebellion, until the resources Of the nation
are exhausted, and as a people we are brought
under the yoke of servitude. But we do not be-
ieve such is to be the result. While we mourn
the loss Of so many gallant lives, we believe tia.
as the Nations defenders fsll, others will take
their places, and that, whatever NAV be the
darkness of the hour Americans will remember
the old Roman wstchword, and never despair of
the Republic