The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-19
NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1863.
f, Who IL RespOnsible for the second Invs-
sion Of tho NOrlhl

Who IL Respo.sible for the Second lava
sion OF tho NOrths
Mr.. Simon Cameron. the predecessor OF Ed
win M. Stanton in the War Department took CO.
casion the other day at Harrisburg TO denounce
the present Secretary for his gross mismanage-
ment in general, and his shameful neglect in
particular to protect Pennsylvania from inva-
sion. There can be no doubt that in this Mr..
Cameron is perfectly right. Mr.. Stanton Is re-
sponsible for the second invasion of the North,
Hooker retreated across the Rappahan-
mock, after the battle Of Charlottesville,
Mr.. Stanton came out with great flourish in
despatch TO Governor Curtin, to the effect that
Hooker had only employed one-third of his
army in the battle; that the army was not at
all demoralized or disorganized, and that it
would Immediately resume the offensive. Ac-
cording, therefore, to the confession of Mr.
Stanton the present general of the Army OF
the Potomac is utterly unfit for his post; and
yet he retains him ever SINCE to the peril of the
republic. Ageneral who, after long preparation,
deliberately selects his own ground, boasts that
his position is impregnable then dares the enemy
to the combat, and then is routed, after two
days fighting, without being able to bring into
action more than . third Of his army, "the best
on the planet" is plainly incompetent to COM
mand such an army. Yet Stanton, instead Of
insisting upon having another general, an
neunces that he will try him over again imme-
diately.
But seven weeks have elapsed since the bat
tie of Charlottesville, and no attempt has been
made to resume hostilities by Hooker; and
there is NO knowing how long he would have
remained on the hills of Falmouth had not Lee
taken the initiative, and so massed his troops at
Culpepper as to threaten Hooker's flank and
rear. The Union cavalry attack on Lee at
Brandy Station was repulsed, and the rebel
general went on his way rejoicing, and
completely eluded his grasp Lee was
permitted to take with him all his stores,
wagons, artillery and materiel of war, and to
turn the flank of the Union army, sending one
corps to capture Winchester, Martinsburg and
Harper's Ferry, and to penetrate into Maryland,
while under its protection body of cavalry
from Western Virginia, by previous concert.
advanced as far as Chambersburg, which was
completely at its mercy, and menaced Harris
burg, the capital of the State, throwing
Governor Curtin and all the good citizens
Of Pennsylvania into state of terror.
The Secretary of War. after obtaining
one hundred thousand troops from Pennsyl-
yania. tells Governor Curtin that he must de-
fend his own State; whereupon he makes
pteous appeal to the citizens and to New Jer-
sey and New York.
II is therefore the War Department which is
at fault in this business. II Mr.. Stanton had
not enough of troops. why was not the draft
carried out long since. But Hooker had
more than enough Of men; for he only used
one third of them at Charlottesville, and had
at least double the number Of Lee. He ought
never to have recrossed the Rappahan-
mock at all; and after he committed that error it
was demonstrated to his own satisfaction,
or dissatisfaction, that he was wrong. He could
have held his ground and renewed the fight,
and, If be had won, the success of Stoneman's
raid, cutting off the retreat Of Lee, would have
given him Richmond. But why, when he dis
covered his mistake, did be not cross again and
give Lee battle, instead Of waiting for six
weeks, tn Lee puts him on the defensive, and
sion! Pittsburg with its vast government
foundries, is imperilled, and Wheeling and all
Western Virginia will be overrun; and, that &C.
complished, there will probably be another
raid into Ohio. What advantage Lee may yet
obtain, with his main body, over Hooker IN
Eastern Virginia or in the District Of Columbia,
is now matter of terrible apprehension What
If Washington should fall Mr.. Stanton is re-
sponsible. He pledged himself for Hooker's
good behavior. Hooker and Stanton have
failed together, and their places ought to be
given TO better men.