Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-09

Private letters as well as the dispatches re-
port that the army Of the Potomac recrossed
the Rappahannock in perfect order, the rebels
not daring to modest the movement. Lees
army had suffered too severely to undertake
such an attack at that time. The rebels them
selves admit Il loss of Is, 900 men. 1t is also
stated that our army is still spirited, confident
and resolute; and that offensive operations
will be speedily resumed. The failure to win
complete success, in this case, is felt more
keenly than usual, because the desire and eX-
pectation OF complete success were so strong.
For a moment, impulsive people have given
way to impatient criticism and querulous
speculations on what might or should have
been done; cooler feelings, reflection, and the
undying purpose to crush the rebellion, will
correct this; and we shall all do justice to
that gallant army and its bold and able leader.
We can see clearly why Gen. Hooker
failed to accomplish all he intended. In the
first place, the rebels had much larger force
at Fredericksburg than was supposed. When
and where Longstreet rejoined Lee is not
told. He probably came by way of Richmond
some days before Gen. Stoneman interfered
with the railroad. At any rate he was there,
audit was by his aid that Lee was able to hinder
Gen. SedgSick's corps from joining Gen.
Hooker, and also to bring SO many troops
against the two or three corps of our army
that fought the battles near Chancelorville
In the next place, Gen. Stonemans admirable
performances were several days too late to be
as helpful to Gen. Hooker as they should
have been. He was ordered to destroy the
railroads a fortnight earlier, and started to 10
so about tine 18th of April. But he did not do
1t then, and was blamed for this failure. If
he had done it at that lime Longstreet could
not have reached Fredericksburg, and the re-
suit of the battles would have been different.
Finally, the furious rain storm and the sud
den rise of the river made war on Gen.
Hookers communication with his supplies
and' under the circumstances, made it neces-
sary for him to retire. Add to this that rein
torcements from Washington, which should
have been on the Rappahannock when he
crossed the river, did not arrive in time to be
made available.
Gen. Rockers plan was admirable. 1t
showed great ability as well as great holiness
and resolution; and excepting the misbehaY-
Tor of two divisions of the 18th corps, the
army of the Potomac behaved in the bravest
and noblest manner. If the 18th corps had
held its position, as it might have done easily,
it is likely that the rebels would have been
completely repulsed and routed at that time.
The llth is Sigels corps, and, if he had heen
there at the time, we think it would have stood
and fought desperately it had done
in previous battles. General Howard, who
commandedit at the time, is one of the best and
bravest officers of the army but he had just
taken command of it. 1t would be very sur
prising if the morale OF General Sigel's old
command had not been affected by the savage
persecution to which he has been subjected
by the West Point influence in the army and
its representative at Washington. He has
now been ordered 10 join Gen. Hooker's army,
and in this order we see the hand of the pres
ident himself. Would that he had issued it
month ago! or rather, that he had summarily
crushed the miserable cabal that drove Sigel
from the army.
The present situation on the Rappahannock
is much better, much more hopeful, than the
feelings of many have made it. 1t will be
seen that the army is still in excellent condi-
ton for offensive operations, and that its lead
- 4,, loIl
couraged and inactive, because mis- first move
ment was not complete success.