Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-23
NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.
Lees Retreat.

From the Richmond Examiner, July III
Gen. Lee has recrossed the Potomac. With
IN VISION of the United States is at an end. The
Government and its chief General undertook
this campaign on their own responsibility, ano
at their own time. Public opinion did not I'm.
Certainly justify, approve and adopt it. Al.
though It has been abruptly terminated by an
unsuccessful battle, we are far from thinking
that the design was injudicious.
This war can be terminated only by sucn d
measure. 1t might have been gloriousfy Hr.
minated in q month had Gettysburg witnessed
the humiliation Of the Union army OF the To-
tomac. But that battle was fought in position
which rendered success impossible. why IL
was fought is yet unknown.
Many persons low blame General Lee LOT
attacking the enemy there; but we shall De
slow to criticise an officer OF his service anu
capacity until he facts are better known; we
would only remark, in passing. that mile Lee
is insured for attacking an army little supe-
rior to his own with the ad vantages OF fosi'ioh
against him, Johnston is denounced LOT nor at
lacking four times his number in forfincatiohS
and position by the side of which Gettysburg
was play ground.
compensate the sacrifice made. 1t mas re-
pIenished the Confederate service with teams,
wagons, provisions. 1t has made the enemy
acquainted with the terrors, though not WIN
the horrors of war. 1t has nlled the Norm
with q sense of insecurity which cannot fali TO
suggest different opinion OF the power OF the
Confederacy, and better notion of the advan-
tages of peace.
The Confederacy has lost several thousand
able officers and brave soldiers; but war cannot
be made without such losses. We are thrown
on the defensive; but since we have no longer
to maintain the outposts of Mississippi and
Tennessee, the work of defence can be accom-
plished with greater ease and certainty than
before. The Contederacy can defend itself for
ever if necessary. In that species OF warfare,
the party that will hold out longest is the party
that wins. Every chance is in its favor. The
South will be that party, for it cannot yield
To yield is to lose all that its citizens have on
this earth.
From Gen. Lees Army-The Enemy ais Q
Across the Potomac-Fish hit near Charles
town.
From the Richmond Dispatch, July 1871
from a gentleman who came down on the
Central train last night we gather the follow.
ing particulars OF affairs in the lower Valley:
On Monday evening it was ascertained that
the enemy We're crossing the Potomac in heavy
Williamsport, where the right of our army rest.
ed, AND Edwards Ferry, near Leesburg Du-
ring the afternoon of Monday portion of their
forces, which had crossed at Harpers Ferry,
engaged the 18th Virginia cavalry at Halltown,
four miles from the river. In this engagement
Col. A. W. Hartman, who commanded the 18th,
was severely wounded. Finding themselves
opposed by a vastly superior force, the regi-
ment fell back, and the enemy advanced as far
and occupied CharlestoWn that night.
At the same time a heavy column of the
enemy crossed the river at ShepherdstoWn,
twelve miles above Harper's Ferry, and
another column at Point of Rocks, nine miles
below. 1t was also reported that a consider
able force was thrown across the river at
Edwards Ferry.
On learning that the enemy were Thus at
tempting to gain his rear. General Lee at once
commenced the passage OF the river at
Wiiliamsport and Falling Waters, and
throughout the entire night of Monday his
army was engaged in crossing the Potomac,
still somewhat swollen by the recent rains.
Early next morning the last OF our Scoops
reached the Virginia shore, and moved in the
direction of Winchester The last heard from
our army it was in line OF battle at Bunker
Hill, midway between Winchester and
Martinsburg.