The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-07-16
EBENsBURG:
THURSDAY::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::::JULY 16
what has been Gained by the
Recent Battles.

speculate upon the results anticipated to
flow from the impending battle upon the
Potomac, but III the absence Of facts we
can only indulge in surmises; and the
fighting that has already taken place,
although not as decisive as it was at first
regarded, is still Of character to permit
an inference as to the issue of the present
campaign. Because, in the late engage
ment, LEES entire army was not captured
or cut to pieces, there is a disposition in
some quarters to underrate its Importance,
and to look upon it as altogether indeci-
sive; and such is especially the opinion
expressed of it among the disloyal, who
less than a fortnight ago predicted the
fall of Washington and Philadelphia; and
among many of the nervous and timid
class of the community who saw no hope
in the future of escape from these disasters.
Independent of any consequences that
may hereafter follow, we think the late
battle established the following important
facts: firstly, that the Army of the
Potomac, in point of spirit, if not of
numbers. has never been in better
condition; secondly, that in Gen. MEADE
it has at length a leader worthy of it, and
competent to WELD and direct its strength
with telling effect upon the enemy
thirdly, that it has once more saved
Maryland and Pennsylvania from perma-
nent rebel occupation, and the capital of
the nation from destruction; fourthly,
that at a single blow it has shorn the
rebel army of at least ore-third of its
former strength, and visited upon LEE
the most crushing defeat he has ever
sustained ; filthy, that by compelling
Gen. LEE to assume the defensive, and
driving him to the brink Of swollen
river into which great portion of his
forces may be precipita:ed in case of
defeat, it has demonstrated his desperate
condition, and shown conclusively that
one more victory may not only result in
bis complete overthrow, but in the fall of
though it be, is now the main support
With such results as these before our
eyes, we cannot look upon the battle of
Gettysburg as an indecisive action We
do not think anything more could have
been accomplished, with the means at our
command More has been done than we
dared to anticipate few weeks ago; and
the campaign, even though it should
cease with the TWO armies in their present
attitude towards each other, would still
present hopeful and encouraging aspect
for the Northern people and even though
"the situation" has been transferred to
Maryland soil, there is more than com
pensation in the fact that the control of
it has, at the some time, been transferred
to the Army of the Potomac. But the
battle of Gettysburg was merely prelimin-
ary to the final triumph, which we hope
soon to record. The two armies are
almost in contact-the struggle is close at
hand. 1t would seem to be to cur advap-
tage to attack the enemy Immediately,
before he can fully brace himself to meet
the shock; but it is possible tha. there
may be greater advantage in a temporary
delay. 1t is hardly possible that there
can be grain of truth in the report that
LEE is to be reinforced by BEAUREGARD !;
but it is quite possible that Gen. MEADE
is to lie reinforced, or is to have the
eo-oI Grafton Of the Pennsylvania or other
detached forces, in which case it may be
his policy to postrone the battle until
assured that all the elements of success
are IN his keeping. Whether it shall
take place this week, o, this month, how
ever; whether the Army of the Potomac
shall be reinforced or not; whether LEE
shall succeed in escaping into Virginia
with. the remnant of his once proud armv
or not, will matter very little in the end.
1t be is able to refuse the wager of battle
In Maryland, which does not now seem
probable, he will be forced to accept il in
Virginia. There may be postponemnt,
but the results will be the same; the
discontinue of the rebel army AID the
oyerturnins ;of the rebel Government