Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-09

gro; and that they are unwilling to be engaged in
war which, under the emancipation proclama-
ton, must result in the indiscriminate massacre
OF women and children, and in all the horrors of
negro Instructions. Furthermore, they say that
their State. by electng Mr.. Wall to the United
States Senate, has expressed its condemnation OF
the further prosecution of the war, and its wish
for peace, which sentiments they approve and in
dorse. These facts are significant. Ii will not
be long before such sentiments are entertained
by the whole army, if, indeed, they are not al
ready
The story about the Presidents mitten is actu
ally true. On learning, some DAYS after it occur
red, the real truth about the affair at Fredericks
burg on the 18th December, the President de
clared. in language more forcbe than elegant,
that he going throw away the nit
tens, and henceforth, Cooking scowingly at
Halleck and Stanton) to conduct the war himself.
"And to show you gentlemen. that ] am in
earnest (said the Presidency I'll begin with Gen.
Burnside And going at once to the telegraph
instrument, Mr.. Lincoln teegraphed to that off,
Ger, Make no movement whatever without first
consulting me. A. Lincoln" Now it happened
that Just at that time Burnside had made all his
preparations for bis third attempt on Fredericks-
burg. He Intended to send strong force of cav
airy and light artillery twenty miles up the Rap
pahannock. They were then to cross that stream
and the Rapidan. march on Gordonsville and de-
stroy the railroad there so rs to cut the enemy's
communication with the south and west II was
bold project Burnside's idea was that Gen.
Lee, alarmed for the safety of his communion
tons, would detach from Fredericksburg such
strong force to protect GOrdonsville that our
army could then attack Fredericksburg in front
with hope of success.
! Possibly the plan might have succeeded. But,
just as the cavalry got III motion, this telegraphc
dispatch arrived from Mr., Lincoln 1t was a
positive order from the Commander-in- Chief, and
Burnside was compelled to countermand his
ders, give up his expedition, and come up to
! Washington for explanations When MIR. Lincoln
knew what he had DONE and how fine raid he
had spoiled, he was considerably vexed, as may
well be supposed. and begged Burnside TO return
at once and carry out his idea. But il wss too
late. Somehow other the plan leaked out, the
enemy had got wind of it, and had our artillery
end cavalry once got south of the river they
would have fallen into trap and never would
have got back.
! The Administration still seeks to amuse and
deceive the country by authorizing statements to
be published to the effect that great things may
soon be expected from General Foster in North
Carolina. There is reason to believe any
such statements. The promises which were
made by the Administration to Gen. Foster, when
he was here some weeks ago have not been full
filled; nor can they be without breaking mp the
Army of the Potomac. The country has fondlv
hoped that there was some plan in pursuance of
which Gen. Foster to advance on Richmond
from the south. while Burnside advanced on it
/ from the north There is no such plan. Even
/ if Gen. Foster accomplishes what he was sent to
do, and will not state what that Is, for believe
the enemy have not OWNED it, il will have no
effect whatever upon the progress or advancement
of the war, nor will it weaken the enemy either
at Richmond or Fredercks burg. X