New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-06
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

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THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
For our Country's sake. aud for tina. Of
Humanity, wo bless God for the heroic valor,
the glorious ACHE vements, Of the Army Of the
Potomac in tho protracted struggle around
Gettysburg; bnt we are hardly less grateful
for its triumph because Of the Army itself
Never before was q great and gallant host
so tried, 80 decimated, 80 sacrificed, by in-
competent or unworthy leadership, rs. that
Army bas been. Had it been even decenty
concentrated and handled, it would have won
the first battle of Bull Run; had it been toll
eraby commanded. instead Of months Of stag
nation in the face of q foe scarcely One.thrd
its numbers, it would have routed the Rebels
from Ccntreyie aud Manassas like cbaff in the
Autumn or early Winter Of 'G1, avoiding tho
shameful sacrifice of Ball's Bluff and clearing
both the Potomac and the Baltimore aud Ohio
Railroad OF Rebel obstruction and molestation
Had it started for Richmond in the Spring Of
'G2 with no General at all, We believe il
would have planted its coors in triumph
on the defenses and spires of that city
before the end Of May. Had 1t
been ably and fearlessly led at Fair Oaks, il
would have then gone into Richmond on the
heels Of the flying foe. With Meade or Rose
Grams or Grant at its head, it would have been
uiassed to meet the attack on its right wing at
Gaines's Mil, aud would have cut the Rebels
sk. "A
Rappahannock, and gone into the city over
the remains Of their right. 1t would never
nave repulsed the enemy's repeated attacks
during the succeeding days only to resume lis
Hill would have been followed up with crush
ing vigor instead of having a further retreat
for its lame and impOtent CONCLUSION. lts
second Bull Run was perfectly needless dis
aster, whether caused by incompe,oncy in
Pope, or something worse in FI!z John Porter
a. Co., or a combination OF the two; and II
would have smashed the Rebel hort after An
tietam, or defeated it a. Fredericksburg, or
scattered it at Charlottesville, II it Lad but
been msncuvercd aud impe.lcd aa it deserved.
Thank Gsd that it has at last found leader
worthy of its courage aid lis devoted loyalty;
thank God that it. persistent sacrifices and un-
merIted TRIALS have at length been recompeussd
by q battle field whereon It las written III i;s
own jo, fully rendered blood Que Of the brightest
nplsrs III American History
The incessant pre.ebses that this noble Army
was demorallzed-that it had lost h,art-lhat
IL was afraid Of the Rebels-ihnt II would only
fight under particular leadef-were "a ialsc
as they were dIscrrdiiable. Is is tho right
arm Of tie Republic. aud no. the pla, thing OF
any mans ambition. Joyiully giviog its lie
Tor the salvation Of it's coun.ry, it has asked
only that the treasure DO no, wickediy squan-
dcred-iha. tie sacrifice be- not wholly 10 vain.
The North may now look tho West proudly
IN The eye. Hitherto. while the regiment.
composing the Army of tho Potomac were
nearly oil from tho old FREQ States i,s Com.
maudipg Generals have IN good part been
supplied BY the West IL has fought al lepglh
under a General from tho Ea.t--a cilizcu of
that District which knows no section, but be-
longs equally to every part OF our country.
And 10 oue will deny that 1t has tough;
brnyely and well. and that it's blood, poured
out in rivera, has not been lay.hcd in vain.
The Army Of the Potomac. the child and
champion Of the Loyal North. has q. last
found the road TO victory. Ii haa opened that
road with its cannon. lie. none doubt that
it will advance firmly and swiftly thereon TO
the final overthrow Of Rebellion and Treason I!