, 1863-12-08
ARMY OF TIE POTOMAC.
THE GREAT FIZZLE.
Retreats to its old Position.

THE GREAT FIZzLE,
Retreats to its old Position,
HOW NOT TO DO TT.
Nothing has happened during this campaign
that has created so much disappointment
and modification in the public mind, as the
late advance Of Gen. Meade's army on the
rebels, its failure to attack them when found,
and its ridiculous retreat without striking q
blow.
Peoplc nsk In amaZement, what does it all
Neen? To the common mind 1t is incxplica-
bic as wen as disgracefnl
The true reason is, that the army has at It's
head second edition Of the ttconserrative,'
candidate for President-Geo.~ Mcclellan.
But We will give the special plea for the fig
zle, put forth by Meade's blowers and strik-
ers: ..
HKADouAnrz1s ARxY OF TIE PoroxAo,
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1858.
The army of the Potomac crossed, the Rap
1dnn In three columns on the 28th of Noyeul-
Der, and concentrated the following day on
Mine Run. q.
Tho enemy occupied the hills on the oppo-
site side Of the stream In full force
The position Of the enemy was naturally
very strong one, and he Was found to be in
trenched along bis entire line, his works be-
Ing continuation Of those on the Rapldau,
to turn which WAS the object Of our army.
The enemy's position was too formidable
to be carried by assault
The great difficulty Of keeping up tho sup
plies Of the troops at this season o. the year,
ut any distance from tho railroad, as well as
L kt-~Ix 49, &fA %-m
sive military operations, prevented q moro
extensive movement, and the army returned
to the north side Of. the Rapidan.
The falling back to our present position
TAs accomplished without loss Of men or
Tha entire casualties during tho campaign
will not exceed 500 in killed, wounded and
WITH the exception Of q few cavalry skir-
mishes, the enemy did not attempt to annoy
our rear On our return.
Therc-that constitutes all the excuse that
can be offered for the lama, sowar1ly and i'm
potent conclusion Of the campaign "Mino
Rum and its tdams," nbout which so much
is said, is little brook or rivulet not exceed
ing three yards in width and one foot in depth.
Bridges could be thrown over It By the engi-
neers In ten minutes. The "dans'' are too
absurd to mention.
The following is the account Of the ad-
vance, halt and retreat, given by the N. 7.
Herald correspondents, who witnessed the
whole performance, and who put the very
best face on the affair in their power to write:
ARMY or TIE PoronAo, Dec. 3, 1868.
Again VIC return to spots familiar. 1 shall
be contributing no contraband intelligence in
stating that the brnve old Army OF tho Poto-
mac is once more eafely quartere1 In the log
huts the rebels SO kindly prepared for them
month ago, west Of the RappahannocE-
[Then follows q long and ci1cumstantial
detail Of several days moyements.J
IN FRONT OF TIE REBELs.
The task before us row Is simply to attack
the enemy and drive him from his position.
This was to have been attempted yesterday
tire line; but Was necessarily deferred be-
cause Of the transformation Of the line until
in the ight,
TIE REBEL DEFESsEs.
During last night the rebels worked like
beavers, anticipating an attack this morning,
and ut daylight We could discover along their
whole line somewhat formidable breast
work crowning the heights.
wARREN's FLANK MOVEMENT.
This morning, ut very early hour, General
Warren was despatched with his own, the
I'd Corps, and q division from the 5th, form
ing column 10000 strong, in light marching
I order, to turn the enemy Is right Hank His in
structions, based on his own suggestions,
were to make wide detour, moving back on
n7snk md. 1,ass below Il. and come nj, in flc
sition to attack by the middle Of the after
| noon, ut which time the corps in front were
| ordered to be in readiness to assault simnlta-
| ncously with Warren's attack. Everything
Was MADE &c @connngent On zen. Marrens move. y
ments. his guns We1e TO be INC signal to1
In front was under arms, watching nnxionsly
for the signal. At p. m no gun had been
heard. At 5, nothing from Warren, aud all
impatience along the Ane- shivering In the
cold wind, waiting for a battlc to open, i
not the most pleasant occupation Imaginable
1 either for spectators or soldiers. At haH-pasl
the signal came-one, two, three guns vert
alstincuy aeal1. uue Hotnaua 4uHeSinns u u
0r5ors ,ara ~ the-cfo1t e.d ~
sssned r. fha froons IN i,;rnnnc f1r Tho nirht
A3e'1 ~ '4~ '1f' - ~ @~ @ 1''s'A-'
f1@NAh.
About this time Gen. Warren communi
; cated with Gen. Meade that he had gained
with tho plank road. Gen, Prince, command
Ing me "a dlF1eion, ana forming tne ieIt
Worren tTo hsd ..onnectr.l iii, lin ~ II the,
hecsnc onnarent that = f4eIay If ona dsv M In,
-, 1oad. ~ e-c1v TO- to .1tard onr i;nc - ~
~ ~ aEtan+ ~ ~ m cor,s snS rhin1 ss,1b
= u = ~ s.ls sv a,., c-,,ot1v Is1 a.
Aase 9een enScna n4aen ea,a mga1 Sa@. aion1 ~
l easily oJ moving lao eo'p' oo"1 a4''A7 -
A ine. ,,.-,,. N
.a,,naios. ~ 1r;t1, 81 q,
Co11cn H ~ ~ ap,ss,a1,s1 - Nc ,ta1d Ios
Ma5us osnctat IL, n1rn91 ~ Warron "a ~
t 5 9agnt ~ - .ts , soun rnrn.s5 a,n;nnrtix Mann
n a sottsfactn~r ~ rasT,its from his lark moY
$HA0'
l. ment. He claims to have secured pos
e ton four miles to the LETT OF our IN
and with his le1. resanG NJ Or 9pon SIaeh u.
= Mount93n-a c9nsl9e1Aolg s elSVauon' ;t; .n.SS
Iour Mues sou1n ~ tne ~ fgdu' n ~.
na LILLY ~ uaL t1;s .astt,e., ~. ~ ~
Wofhs. 10 sGcnls tals poat..on ~ i;aS !
1hat some shlllnlsa!ng oscultsu, !! Sintn 1 ~ u
iayed hls moFement ulLl4 y "as luc Ale y
terday afternoon 1or MN 10 maAo senez
Ee attack
. CORPS coAadASDERs INDIGNANT.
IF In the council lart night, Gen. Warren asl
e ed for refnforcemeuts for his operations th
1t norninr. This demand cpYc rise to an on
IS fnrst; n7oono fhe corns eonmauders. ali
Thnm are Senior to The commalder Of Il
!, second rorns. and on this viii hInee the Lac
II of succeEs Which 1 plaIulY forsee will after
ttis campafcn.
w.ppr,e pr,sropcrn
pr+ conero1 Meade 4hronoh n kind cons;
T. c7ntion and partiality for Gen. Warren, an
l. ns Ie afferWaris stated, through mfsco
N cention Of the facts, insisted on giving th