Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-19
RIGHTS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. 10, 1853.
Sleeping and Surprises.

Grants retreat from RnggOld aud Ncade's repassage
Of tee Rspidan gsvs evidence that the FAN campaign
was ever and the Winter armstceat hand. The regu-
lar bybern ton Of vigilance, especially here in Yr-
gnia fol owed a. matter Of II was taken for
granted that the enemy would suspend active Cpsrs-
tons and We settled ourselves fer good lcrg winters
nap Whereupon, RObinsOn's cavalry we're surprised
and captured within days march of Richmond, and
Averin marches two hundred miles almost without in
tsr1uption to cut iongstress's communications and do
othe. damage, the extent Of which we will know soon
enough.
To be sure the simple country people on the PENN
sua were much grah6ed at the capture Of Robnson's
command their only regret being that the commander
was not with his men, AID thA the cavalry, which went
20 the support of RobcsOns, we're not also bagged
rhey had seen the negligence Of the officers, they had
,usred from the depredaOns of the prvates they had
demonstrated and petitiOnsd headquarters in Rich
mond in vain. No wonder they counted the capture
happy radiance Sleeping pickets oughtto be caught oy
the saemy if they not to be killed for their groGs
aereIetiOn of duty.
We ca, not say that the raid on the Virginia and
Tennessee road was successful in consequence OF sur
prise or want Of proper vigilance on the part OF the
officer commanding in thaS quarter. Gen. Jones has
very long line TO defend and very inadequate force
70 defend il with. Tie enemy, operating on very
large semiciIcle may strike a. any point he pesses
and it must be difficult indeed, with only few regi-
ments, TO prevent him from making bis way through
the numerous mountain passes, especially when DIS
LARGELY superior force enables him to cover his real de-
,igp by number of feints This is the second time
hal
aad although the damage done has been incon-
siderable e1cep' perhaps in the destruction OF stores
on this last cccasioo it will be bu. rgh that the mat
ter stal be sfted thoroughly, and the negligence,
f suo1 be proved adequately punished. The hne
Of this read is so important and 50 far within our
lines that any attack upon it should be made the suo-
eot of rigorous inVes.g4tionto which, We are sure,
.he officers in that Department would make no cbec-
ton General Jones main point Of defence is tie Salt
Works and this has been successfully held against the
Vaccinations of the enemy. Even now we hear the
enemy is rerea.ng in hot haste and his retreat blythe
route he came Gu. of We trust this intelligence may
prove true and thai Averil may receive druooing
which viii keep him quiet during the remainder of the
winter STILL We incu!cIie vigilance, and the enforce
msut Of i. by Law.
Mr.. Miles on Wednesday last, introduced a bill in
ructing the Committee on Military Afai!s 10 inquire
into the e1pedsncy of authorizing, by Law, the Pfes-
ient Of the Confederate States 10 SummaEy dismiss and
Out into the ranks any officer who may allow himself
and command to be surprised by the enemy. An e1-
celsnt bill, tu suppcsIg it 10 be Adopted, '"i bono
Is it not known that the authorities tender hearted
hatts with he greatest difficulty they gain their consent
70 punish the viest dsserterss And the pardoned of-
GER no: likely to become the enemy Of IN Admin stra-
Oa which may be greatly in need OF friends ere long
The case Is BEST with difficulties, for Courts Martial
composed Of officers will be loath to condemn brother
officers TO the ranks Happily, the evil is going TO con-
.inue until the madness of lsnisncy which exists in the
army to as great extent almost as in the Aduinstra
ion will be cured.