Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-29
From the Philadelphia Press.
The Last Great Blunder.

thousands aud tens of thousands of brave
soldiers are inundated, but which, not
withstanding the great sacrifice, do not
obtain an adequate result for the enor-
nous loss of life, is it then not the duty
of every friend of the country to inquire
into the cause of the disasters which
cover a whole nation with mourning, and
which, in its history, remain dark spot
on its glory?
The late battle of Fredericksburg and
Charlottesville, with its hecatombs OF
human beings, may, like nearly all other
lost battles of this war, be traced direct
ly to the mistakes of the generals com
manding, and it is but just that the whole
country should have clear insight int 0
those mistakes, for it may be that thus
more errors in future will be avoided.
Looking at the map, it win be seen
that the rebel army, in its encampments
near Fredericksburg, held a line run
ming from northwest to south east its
right wing was extended as far down as
Port Royal, on the Rappahannock its
right wing rested above Frederick
on the same river. This army has only
two main lines of retreat. One towards
Richmond, the other towards Gordons-
vile. 1t cannot retreat TO the east, or
southeast, as such march would carry
it into the Potomac, or York river. I'm
der the circumstances, the natural point
of attack is the rebel left wing. If this
wing is seriously defeated, and the vic
tory rapidly followed up, the rebel army
would be pressed from its two lines of
retreat against the southeast thrown
against the rivers, it would be finally
obliged to surrender--the same fate which
befell tie Prussian army after the battle
of Jena.
Crossing, therefore, above Fredericks-
burg, at United States ford, for instance,
marching rapidly to Charlottesville, and
from there to point midway between
Charlottesville and Gunner, on the rail
road, Tor, ifthe last move be considered
too daring, moving straight from
Charlottesville against fredericksburg
would be the correct strategical move to
obtain the desired result, viz the des-
truction of the rebel army. Utmost
speed, concentration of force, and utmost
daring, would guarantee a complete sue
cess.
General Hooker arranged his plans of
attack as follows: He had seven army
corps; of these, three were massed be-
low Fredericksburg, to cross there and
make feint attack on the rebels, two Of
the corps, Immediately after the crossing,
10 return and join General Hooker, who
meanwhile was crossing with the four re-
naming corps at several fords, some ten
TO twenty miles above Fredericksburg.
On Sunday, 9th of April, the move
ment was commenced on Monday il
was continued, and on Tuesday morn
ing the three corps below Fredericksburg,
and on Tuesday night and Wednesday
morning the four corps above Freder-
cksburg, made good their crossing.
On Wednesday and Thursday the
main army moved to Charlottesville
some five miles from the principal cross
ing place, making FIVE miles in thirty
six hours. Friday was occupied in
throwing up entertainments Saturday
the fighting seriously commenced Sat-
urday evening, only, as it appears, the
two remaining corps arrived from below
Sunday, another attack, and repulse of
the main army. Meanwhile, Sedgwick
carries the entertainments behind Fred
ericksburg. BY Sedgwick's movement,
two lines of operation are clearly formed,
the two Union armies separated by a
distance Of some twenty miles the
rebels in central position between tiem.
While all these movements are being
carried out, the whole cavalry under
General Stoneman is detached on a raid,
in the rear of the rebel army.
General Lee, without eding the
cavalry in his rear, waits quietly in his
till the Union movement
is fully developed. He easily discerns
the feint from the real attack. He throws
bis whole force against General Hooker,
whom he confronts on Thursday even
ing, giving up meanwhile, his entrench-
ments near Fredericksburg. Hooker is
beaten on Saturday. On Sunday, scarce
ly is he on the defensive when General
Lee, by means of bis interior line forces
marches Sunday night, and throws, on
Monday, the mass of his forces against
who the day before had car
ried the Notifications near Fredericks-
burg. Seduwick Is heaten nrinnInd and