The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-07-10
The Grand Ovation to Cen. MiIroy.

In the crowded state OF our columns last
week, and owing to the hustle and excitement
concerning the apprehended approach of the
rebels, we were unable to do justice to the mag
ni6cent ovation given by some Of the citizens of
this place to Maj. Gen. NIilroy. We beg par
don of our readers and particularly of those
who got up and managed the grand reception of
the brave and victorious general, for our short
coming, and will now cndeavor to make all
proper amends. We consider the splendid en-
tertainment given to Gen. Milroy, by our in
tensely patriotic citizens, very eminenty right
and proper. A good general ought always to
be encouraged by the people for whose welfare
he fights. The splendid achievements of Gen.
Milroy, since his connection with the army, de-
serve especial commentator, and it is right and
just that loyal people encourage him to further
efforts to immortalize his name and bless his
country. His brilliant exploits as military
man are SO numerous and shed such luminous
lustre upon the national arms, that we feel en-
tirely unable to portray them in all their radi-
ant glory. We can only name some of them,
leaving their own splendor to illumine the pub
lie mind in regard to the great merits of the IL
lustrious man whose vigorous intellect conceiv-
ed and whose strong arm executed them. We
need hardly refer to the conspicuous part played
by Gen. Milroy, in the grand triumphal march
of the army under Gen. Fremont upon Rich
mond, during which Stonewall Jackson was
killed and the rebel army routed, and which
would have ended in the capture of the rebel
capital had not Mcclellan foolishly driven the
whole of jeff. Davis forces back to that DOOM
ed city and Immediately between Fremont and
its beleaguered walls. We must, however, not
forget one very notable victory over the rebell-
ion gained by Gen. Milroy in Western Virginia
In the city of Wheeling there was published
rebel newspaper called The Press, which insisted
upon supporting the Constitution of the United
Statos and upon tlrc oxecufiou of tho Federal
laws and which favored the restoration of the
Union as it was made by Washington, Madison
and Hamilton. Now, Gen. Miroy, fearing lest
this rebel sheet might bring the Constitution in
to disrepute and might endanger the cause of
the old Union, (of which he is heartily in fa-
vorl suppressed it in the most summary man.
ner and thus cut off the right arm Of the rebell-
ion in Western Virginia. This brilliant feat Of
the military genius of Gen. Milroy, at once lib
Grated the people of Western Virginia from the
thraldom of political discussion and thencefor-
ward all who talked and voted did so in favor
of New Virginia and the Union as they ought
to be. according to the gospel of President Lin
coin. Having secured freedom of speech and
OF the press to the people of Western Virginia,
Gen. Milroy's great talents were required in q
different field of operations. We have not the
space or we would gladly give detailed account
of the glorious triumphs which crowned the
arms OF the victorious general from Wheeling
| even unto Winchester. Suffice it to say that
Stonewall Jackson having evacuated the Shcn.
andoah Valley, Gen. Milroy entered it in tri.
umph. Fortifcations had been erected at Win.
chester by Joe Johnston, strengthened by Jack
son, made stronger still by Banks, and finally
the works were considered of so peculiarly in
tricate and labyrinthian a character, that it was
doomed necessary to have first class general il
command there, for fear they might not be prop
erly manned and the defenders might be placed
on the wrong side of the ditch. Accordingly
Gen. Milroy was assigned to the performance o
| this difficult task. The General Immediately
set about his work and soon had things in ex
| cellent order The enemy not making any dem
onstrations upon him, he was at leisure to ma
ture plans for the capture of Richmond and the
annihilation Of the rebellion. He soon hit up
on an excellent programme. As his plans are
now almost fully developed, there can be nc
harm in giving them to the public Knowing
that Lee intended attacking him, he determined
to fight him little while, and, then, in ordel
to draw Lees forces after him, to retreat witt
about one-fifth of his command, mainly cavalry
into the State of Pennsylvania, leaving the re
naming four-fifths of his forces, and all his can
non, munitions, and supplies to fall into thu
hands of the rebels, in order to whet their ap
petite for pursuit Having drawn them init
the mountains of Pennsylvania, Governor Cur
tin would call out the militia, who were te
block up the passes and gaps with rocks rollet
| down from the hills Cauoht i'm this tran how
could single rebel escape? Then it would b.
General Milroy's time to march upon Richmond
Knowing secret opening through the noun
tains, he and his army would quietly steal forth
shut up the place Of their exit, and with th'
rebel army thus imprisoned in kind of natu
lral Fort Lafayette, Richmond would soon be at