The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-07-03
who is Responsible for the Sec
Ond Invasion of the NOrth!


Mr.. Simon Cameron, the predecessor
of Edwin NJ. Stanton in the War De-
partment, took occasion the other day
at Harrisburg to denounce the present
Secretary for his gross miSmanagement
in general, and his shameful neglect in
particular, to protect Pennsylvania from
invasion. There can be no doubt that
in this Mr.. Cameron is perfectly right.
Mr.. Stanton is responsible for the Sec
ond invasion of the North, as he was for
the first, ten months ago. When Hook
er retreated across the Rappahannock,
after the battle of Charlottesville, Mr..
Stanton came out with a great flourish
in dispatch 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 immedi-
ately resume the offensive. According,
therefore, 10 the confession Of Mr., Stan
ton, the present general of the Army of
the Potomac is utterly unfit for his post;
and yet be retains him ever since, to the
peril of the republic. A general who,
after long preparation, deliberately Sc
lects his own ground, boasts that his po'
sition is impregnable, then dares the en-
emy to 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
Mainly incompetent to command such
an army. Yet Stanton, instead of in
sisting upon having another general, an.
nounces that be will try him over again
Immediately.
But seven weeks have elapsed since
the battle of Charlottesville, and no
ATTEMPT has been made to resume hos
tilities BY Hooker; and there is no know
ing how long he would have remained
on the hills of Falmouth had not Lee ta~
ken 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 elu,
ded his grasp. Lee was permitted to
take with him all his stores, wagons, ar
tillery and material Of war, and to turn
the flank of the Union army, sending
one corps to capture Winchester, Mar
q tinsburg and Harper's Ferry, and tc
penetrate into Maryland, while under its
protection body of cavalry from WeSt
Virginia, by previous concert, advanced
as far as ChamberSburgh, which was
completely at its mercy, and menaced
Harrisburg, the capital of the State
throwing Gov. Curtin and all the gooc
citizens of Pennsylvania into state o
terror. The. Secretary of War, after OBJ
tanning one hundred thousand troops
from Pennsylvania, tells Gov. Curtin tha
he must defend his own State; whereup
on he makes O piteous appeal to th'
citizens and to New Jersey and New
York.
- 1t is, therefore, the War Department
which is at fault in this business. l
Mr.. Stanton had not enough of troops
n why was not the draft carried out lont
since But Hooker had more thai
u enough of men; for be only used one
third Of them at Charlottesville and hat
lat least double the number of Le5. Fl
ought never to have crossed the Kappa
hammock at all; and after he committe
that error it was demonstrated to hi
own satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, tina
he was wrong. He could have held hi
ground and renewed the fight, and, if h
had won, the success of Stoneman's ralt
d cutting off the retreat Of Lee, would hav
given him Richmond. Bu: why, whe
he discovered his mistake, did he nc
lcross again and give Lee battle, instea
of waiting six weeks, till Lee puts hir
tuon the defensive, and strikes terror int
the North by another invasion! Pitt
burg, with its vast government four
a.dries, is imperilled, and Wheeling an
all Western Virginia will be overrun
land, that accomplished, there will prot
.fably be another raid into Ohio. Wh'
advantage Lee may yet obtain, with h
main body, over Hooker in Eastern vi
ginia or in the District of Columbia,
now o matter Of terrible apprehension
What if Washington should fall M
Stanton is responsible. He pledge
himself for Hooker's good behavior.
Hooker and Stanton have failed toget
or, and their places ought to be given
better men.-.M Y. Herald.
.n ~ Ii = -