The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-08-12
The Situation.

AuC SltudIlOu.
The clouds which short time since were SO
portentous Of disaster to the cause Of the South
are already partially dispelled, and the gloom
and dependency which had settled upon many
of our people in consequence of a succession
OF reverses has given place to somewhat Of re.
nswed hope and confidence. The danger which
threatened the army Of Gen. Leo, in its retreat
from the enemy's country, is passed; and re
liable accounts assure us that the army occu
pies substantially the same secure position Of
defence that it did previous to the late inv assn
That the losses sustained in battle have been
fully made up by reiniorcements, and that, with
the exception Of the ordinary wear and tear
incident to rapid snd laborious campaign, the
army is in a. good condition a. il was three
months ago. Richmond therefore, is in no
immediate danger The force OF Gen. Lee is
adequate to repel and punish any attack in tina.
quarter.
The enemy is still prosecuting his designs
upon Charleston. but he has gained no sub
stantisl advantage since the little success he
achieved at the commencement Of the attack
His efforts have been of the most determined
and energetic character; and yet IL his future
progress is in proportion to his success within
the last month, 1t will be many, many, months,
II ever, before he gets possession Of Charleston.
We are assured from trustworthy sources that
II tho labor nov urgently called for is supplied
by the planters Charleston will soon be in q
condition to stand the siege indefinitely. Much
higher confidence than that entertained short
time ago is nov felt in that department
In the Northwest there has been no late i'm.
portant developments. The new line Of defence
assumed by Gen. Bragg remains intact, and Il
is thought his force is sufficient to prevent an
advance Of the enemy into East Tennessee,
North Alabama and Georgia.
In the West, where, apparently, a short time
since. our greatest danger lay, active military
operations have comparatively ceased. The
enemy, seemingly content with his successes
for the present, has retired to his strongholds
on the Mississippi; doubtless with the view Of
protecting the vast commerce, which, 20 long
pent up, vii! now aoat upon that stream. Ac.
wv SnPnShhB m All quarters - probably
over Tor the present. Both sides, exhausted
with recent efforts, are content 70 assume the
defensive. But this lssctioa will not be OF long
durs,ion-both sides are busy With preparation;
and, unless In the mean time peace Is brought
about by means Of foreign complication, or
through the influence Of the peace paty At the
North, (neither Of which 10 probable) the van.
dals will precipitate all their strength upon US
duriag the Fall months. Although there should
be no serious apprehension - 70 the 6na re-.
suit, Il 10 possible that We have not yet reached
the worst and that the Sighting during the lat,
ter part OF the present year will be more des-
= perste than any that We have yet seen. The
people should nerve themselves Tor what Is
before them; and with faith In the assurance
that Providence viii dsfsnd the right abide
the issue.