The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-09-26
Rosecrans' Battles.

recent battles in Northern Georgia, it seems now
to be tolerably we'll established that while Rose
Grams was compelled to fall back upon Chattanoo-
ga, he inflicted so much damage upon the rebels
to prevent them from reapng the fruits of their
victory. Newspaper reporters north and south,
have given, no doubt colorsd reports of the re-
suits of the fighting. 1t is noticeable, however,
and we have right to take encouragement from
it, that the rebels are disappointed in the result
Of the battle. They had concentrated immense
forces,-all their available strength from all points
east of the Misslssppi-in the expectation of being
thus abe to nhlct so crushing blow upon Rose
Grams as would practically annhilate his army. 1t
is now ascertaiued beyond all question that from
$4,000 to $4,000 men from Lees army, had Join
ed Bragg. Longstreet's and d. Ii. Hills corps
were there, and at least one division from Ewelrs
corps. AS early as Sept 10th, Bragg issued
general order in which he said:
The troops will be held ready for an immedi
ate move against the enemy. His denominations
on our TANKS have been thwarted. and twice has
be retired before us when offered battle. We
must now force him to the issue. Soldiers, you
are largely reinforced, you must now seek the
contest ln doing so, know you will be content
to suffer privations and encounter hardships
Heretofore you have never failed to respond to
your general when he has asked sacrifice at yonr
hands. Relying upon your gallaEtry and patriot
ism, he asks you to add browning glory to the
wreaths you wear. Our credit is in your keeping
Your enemy boasts that you are demoralzed and
retreating before him. Having accomplished
our object in driving back his flank movement, let
us now turn on his main force and crnsh it in its
fancied strength.
This order demonstrates that Bragg then sup
posed himself strong enough to deliver blow
that should crush Rosecrans, and deliver
Georgia from any further apprehension from bis
invading army.
This Bragg has failed to do. We have already
printed the opinion of the Richmond Whig,
which says that the battle had better not have
been fought than to have accomplished SO little al
such immense sacrifice Other rebel papers, in
speaking. of it, claim no decisive victory, while
Rosecrans holds his position at Chattanooga. AS
late as the 22d, after receiving Braggs kilograms
at the conclusion Of the fighting, they made no
claim to decided vctory;" and while, ofcourse,
the result was better to them than decisive de-
feat, it is apparent from their comments upon it
that they are utterly disappointed that Bragg &C
complished no more-And we can understand
the reason for this rebel dependency, even in the
hour OF apparent victory. 1t is practically de-
feat to them. They made the attack after great
preparation, and after massng all available troops
for the purpose Of making assurance doubly sure
What have they accomplished According to
their own highest official estimate, they captured
$500 prisoners. This will allow $500 paroled
rebel prisoners to be again put IN the field. But
to accomplish this they suffered, according to
their estimate, loss of 5000 killed and wounded
though the number would undoubtedly reach
twice that cumberland we took 1900 prisoners
This makes their loss $500, agains. again of $500 ;
or net loss to them, according to their own fig.
ures, of $500. How long at this rate can they af-
ford to fight battlesP
And it should be remembered that their ranks
when once thinned must remain So They have
exhausted in great measure their sources of sup
ply, and can only now strengthen their weakened
ranks by depicting army to strengthen another.
Lee cannot always reinforce Bragg, and still have
force sufficient to hold Meade in check and
what will Bragg do when Longstreet's Hills and
Ewel's troops are recalled to rescue Lee from de-
featp In this view Of the situation we begin to
apprehend the force OF the vail of the Richmond