The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-23

GENERAL MILROY AND THE Loss OF w NCHB0-
rER.-The loss Of Winchester by General Nilroy
is matter that demands the immediate atten-
ton Of the government. It is worse than the
surrender Of Harper's Ferry and Maryland
Heights by Miles and Ford last September, and
General Milroy ought to be placed Immediately
under arrest and tried by court martial.
Winchester is the key Of the valley Of the
Shenandoah, and is more important position
than Harper's Ferry. The blame of losing It
must be equally divided between the War De-
partment and General Milroy. The intention
of Lee to move North through the valley was
known to the government more than month ago,
and il was the business of the War Department
to post sufficient force at Winchester. and to
place in command Of it reliable general. The
force does not appear to have been equal to the
emergency; but it was enough for far better
defence than General Milroy made with it. If
he was taken by surprise he was unfit for such
q command. If he was not surprised then he
ought to have concentrated the troops Of the
adjoining posts, to the number of fifteen thous-
and. which was equal to the attacking force, to
say nothing Of Milroy's possession of strong
Notifications. But he did not make what
deserves the name of fight. Had he evel
held the enemy at bay for a day or two
longer, in order to give time for Hook.
er's army to come up, those two d.
visions Of Ewell's corps would have been
captured or destroyed, and Lees game Of inva-
sion would not only have been frustrated, but his
army so weakened by the loss that its destruc-
ton would have been comparatively an easy
task. unless IL made speedy retreat southwark
through the valley. But the facility with which
the key was wrested from the grasp Of Milroy
has reversed the picture, and given Lee q tre-
mendous advantage, which he has not failed to
use with effect. Ithas not only provided him
with ammunition and ample stores, but II has
opened the gate TO Maryland and Pennsylvania,
and the advance ofthe rebel army has been ravag-
ing those States ever since, carrying OF horses
and cattle and various supplies, and preparing
the way for the coming Of the main body, and
establishing base Of operations from which to
march at pleasure either against Baltimore
OF Washington on the northern side. The loss of
Harper's Ferry followed from the loss Of Win
chester. Perhaps the next thing We shall hear
OF, az another consequence, 10 the capture OF
Maryland Heights, the possession Of which
would shorten the route to Washington BY two
days march.
These consequences and the disgrsceful
panic In Pennsylvania have resulted from the
utter want Of capacity and courage in General
Nilroy, whose military imbecility was long
since well known to the War Department. The
public welfare demands that he be arrested,
tried BY court martial, and shot, as an example
for the future. The interests Of the nation
equally demand that Mr. Stanton be removed
from the War Department, and that compe-
tent officer receive his portfolio. The country
has no confidence in Mr.. Lincolns Cabinets but.
believing In bis integrity. II looks to him. - the
Chief Magistrate, TO secure hereafter . better
and more successful manaEsgent Of the vsr.