The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-08-06
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDA Y. AUGUST 6.
prourcss of the War.

possess hereafter the grand historic interest Oh
the first, yet it presents a cheering record Of sub.
s~tantial progress.
The first question asked on the arrival of the
last mail was, " Has Lee escaped?'' And it was
with regret, if not disappointment, that we
learned that he had crossed the Potomac with
the loss Of only 1900 Of his rearguard and 4
few pieces OF artillery. But TO " how low an
estate the slave confederacy has fallen, can be
inferred from the fact that this inglorious ter
minatiUn of Lees invasion, which was to bring the
North to its knees, is the principal crumb of COM
fort which secesh sympathizers an able to extract
from the news. The proud and confident host,
who a few days before were ravaging the rich farms
OF Cumberland country, and who were expecting
to dictate terms of peace from old Independence
Hall in Philadelphia, are now but too happy to
escape from My Maryland" We appreciate,
however, as much as any one, the consummate
ability with which Gen. Lee conducted his re-
treat, and rescued his army from impending
destruction.
We cannot resist the conviction that General
Meade let slip the golden moment for immortal
izing his name by dealing a mortal blow to the
rebellion. \ determined attack in force on the
18th, when the rebels were crossing the Poto-
mac, would probably have destroyed their army.
Defeat for Lee would have been humiliation,
while for Meade it could not at worst have been
more than a temporary repulse.
The most obvious course for the Federal army
now, is to advance from Harper's Ferry upon
Winchester, at the same time sending Il cavalry
force into the Shenandoah valley to destroy
bridges and break up Lees communications 1t
is to be hoped that Meade will not waste months
in ipsctinn 40 Mcclellan did after An+iatam
Dix and Reyes, after destroying the bridges
and several miles of railroad north Of Richmond,
have been ordered back to Fortress Monroe,
probably for duty elsewhere. Whether they are
destined to cut the railroads south Of Richmond,
or to assist in the attack ON Charleston, we have
no means for determining. Gen. Foster had just
cut the railroad line south of Goldsboro.
OF much greater Importance in its bearing on
the war is the capture of Port Hudson, which
surrendered Internationally to Gen. Banks ON
the 9Th July, after a siege of ~ days, with H.
600 prisoners and 60 cannon. This great victo-
~, which in ordinary times would have electrified
the whole country, now awakens but compare
lively little interest since the surrender of
Vicksburg.
The long contest for the control of the Missis-
sippi river in virtually ended. The powerful
fleet which has sprung up as if by magic on
those inland waters, is now ut liberty to protect
lLc udNl1tllDu u Jilc IlNcE, duu I carry n en- !
sign of universal liberty up all its tributary
streams. Few have appreciated the prodigious
cost at which this conquest has been achieved.
Its history will fill some of the most glorious
chapters in the annals of the American army and
navy. New England and the West have shared
in the glory of the achievement, ana the names
of the Yankee soldier and statesman, y. p. Banks,
and of Admiral Foote, will forever be associated
with those of L.. ). Grant, of Flrragut and
Porter.
The Importance Of the capture of Vicksburg
as more authentic details come To hand.
1t is now ascertuined that Grant paroled 81 ,277
besides capturing 81, 900 stands Of arms
200 pieces of artillery.
Banks army is now at liberty to pay its re-
spects to Magruder and Kirby Smith, who have
been menacing New Orleans from the West. He
will probably order an official investigation to be
made in regard to the diabolical massacres of I'M
offending and unarmed negroes, said to have been
by the Texans ut Brashear city and
Qpelousas.
Grants army is estimated at 100, 900 men.
One division of it under Sherman has routed
Johnston and is chasing him into the interior.
In view of the unhealthiness of the extreme South
at this season, it is likely that the greater part OF
Grants army will be sent TO cooperate with
Rosecrans, while Gen. Johnston will join Bragg
and assume command of the combined rebel force
in Georgia.
Gen. Bragg has fallen back to Atlanta. Geor-
gia with his main body, having destroyed the
great railroad bridge at Bridgeport over the Ten
1essee river. The military Importance of Atlanta
Is owing TO its being the centre of several rail-
-oads as we'll as being the great arsenal and
mandatory of war material for the confederates.
Rosecrans has probably taken Chattanooga ere
his, SD that the slave confederacy has lost its
Interior line of communication, and must hence
orth depend entirely on their seaboard line of
Rosccrans is in a broken and difficult country,
he will soon put the railroads behind him in
working order, and has already accumulated eight
months provisions in the fortresses of Nashville
md Murfreesboro. The demonstrations Of Union
ceiling in Northern Georgia and North Carolina
re fast increasing and becoming holder.
At Charleston, the land forces under Gen.
who took Fort Pulaski, and the Mont
ors under Admiral Dahlgren, had captured all
f Morris Island except Fort Wagner. Morris
sland includes all the forts on the southern side
f the harbor as far rs Cummings point, the
,oint nearest to Fort Sumter, which will no doubt
e the next fort attacked.
As might have been expected. the rebels and
heir agents are making great efforts to create n
in the rear of the Federal armies, in
rider To embarrass their operations and make
apital for foreign sympathizers with slavery.
heir two principal attempts in this way are
.1Organ's raid and the riot in New York city. :
former was intended as a retaliation for the
Exploits of Grierson and Fitzpatrick, but it seems Z
likely to end like Col. Straight's raid into d
Georgia.
Morgan first dashed with 1000 cavalry and 10
ED pieces on Brandenburg, forty miles below
seized two steamers at tine wharf and O
rOssed to the Indiana shore. He then moved .
lpidly in 4 semi-circle, passing thirty miles +
orth of Cincinnati, and striking the Ohio river a
gain opposite Maysville, Ky, where he was met q
nd driven back by a fleet of gunbOats, while e
1000 men are closing in on his rear. =
He dpaz nor saaun IN have had rina m 10 puPb .