Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-16
sUeRENDERs AND SURPRISES.

vvh.. .,;o, in three years ever lowered their Gag
e,eyen times Ia surrender There have been eleven
Confederate surrendeTs since this war began Near on
Mountain at Hatteras at Island No. 10, at Fort heniy
at Fort Donelson, at Roanoke Island, tore
and Jackson at Arkansas Post, at VicksDurg, fort
Hudson and at Cumberland Gap. Aud then there mas
not been an instance of punishment in this long list Oh
disasters; but on the contrary, promoon mas some
cases followed swift upon the surrender the history
of this war will show much gllanry In the ngnt a.
that of any other war, 1t VIII also ehn'Os mole a.
ders than ever befe the arms Of any other nAon du
ring the same period of time; and We cannot point 70
anS SaraRossa Londonderry or Genoa 70 ONSET
this long catalogue OF unsuccessful seges
IL our people cannot understand why european ma
ons hesitate to recognize our nationality, pefnSPs tny
NAV nd the cause in the fact that the dag we seek to
reCis.er among the nations of the eah though often
owned with glorious victory has unfortunately oeen
lowered very often in unhihgated disgrace. And as
long as foreign nations zee surrenders 30 compaceu
made Gnd promotion often following them, tney arc
uncer ain whether some steamer may not bring the news
of our conditional surrender to the terms OF the enc
N.Y. The nations of Europe, accustomed 70 suen ae.
ences az the Spa ards made in the Peninsula, or nat
of the French at Genoa that o. the English at Lon
dOnderry, cannot understand nor style Of defence
Napoleou never permitted any one of the officers who
participated 10 the capulaton of Blyento serve under
hul and even the AustrAns condemned TO death MACK
for The surrender of Um and yet neither OF these sur
renders was more disgraceiu than many OF ours, winch
have not called forth even an official Teprimano:
The SURPRISES of Kellysvills Brandy Station, VII
Ihmsport Bristoe Station and now the late disaster on
the Rappahannock show how leniency TO the first de-
relcton of duty may entail continued and repeated ms
asters and careessness naics lasting dig ace upon
the army.
and HAYS were when the enemy pounced upon thu m
n s not vet stated how they came TO be 80 completely
isolated from the main body Of the army that they
could not no reinforced though the fight reported to
have lasted "Wthout intermsson from o'clock In tho
afternoon till dark"
No exclamation has been made why reinforcements
we're not sent to their rescue; nor are We nformea
how these two small brgAdes came 70 be thus exposed
inviting almost their capture or Annlhlatlon.
We hope that there are good and sufficient reasons
for all these strange crcum Itanee and toat Gen. Lee
will upon investigation, be satisfied that his two bfi-
gades were Loaf in one OF the ordinary eventuaties Of
war, which no vigilance can prevent, and no ACTIVITY
remedy Surprises are injurious TO military pres
tge more destructive to men and material than defeat
in regular battle and as they are 30 easily prevented
the officer who suffers himself TO be surprised ana
bounced upon suddenly by an army that the men
seemsd have risen out Of the ground deserves the
ssverest punishment.
The army OF. Gen. Bragg has lately suffered greatly
from q SURPRISE by which an important position was
gained by the enemy, and one winch, t s feared may
neuraise mucn o. the advantages W ING o1s'i'
of ChickamAuga. We might by reviewing the history
of the war; swell the number OF surprises 70 the equal
of that Of the suIrsnders but it would be useless men
and officers and people, aud the enemy and the world
know aud understand the irjdry they inhiot, and mill
tary discipline in every army has sought TO correct such
evils by the severest punishment We must do As the
world does our officers must be held to the same Rc-
countabiity that has always been applied to
We cannot afford to be a. lenIent even as Napoleon
Wa for necessities greater and our cause no
Iier than was that Of the Emperor Of the French
Richmond Enquirer.