Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-30
Gen. MiIroy and the Loss of Win
chester.

The loss ef Winchester by General Milroy, is
a matter that demands the immediate attention of
the Government. IL is worse than the surrender
of H ,rper's Ferry and Maryland flights by Miles
aud Ford last September, and Gen. Milroy ought
to be placed Immediately under arrest and tried
bv court martial.
Winchester is the key of the Valley Of the
Shenandoah. and is n more important position
than Harper's Ferry. The blame of losing it
must be equally divided between the War Depart
meDt and General Milroy. The intention of Lee
to move North. through the Valley, was known
to the Government more than n month ago, and
il was the business of the War Department to post
= sufficient force at Winchester, and to place in
command of it Il reliable General. The force
does not appear tn have been equal to the emer
gency: but il was enough for a far better defense
than General Milroy made with il. lf he was
taken bv surprise he WAS unfit for such "a com
mand. IL he was not surprised, then he ought
TO have concentrated the troops of the adjoin-
ing Dosts, 10 the number OF fifteen thous-
and, which was equal to the attacking force, to
say nothing of MilrOy's possession of strong for
tifcations. But he dill not mike what deserves
the name of n fight. Had he even held the enemy
at bay for a day or two longer, in order to give
time for Hooker's army to come up, those two
divisions OF Ewell's corps would have been cap
tured or DESTROYED, and Lees game OF invasion
would not only In We been frustrated, but his army
90 ~o.Lenrd 1y the loss that its destruction would
have been comp ~,ratively an easy task, unless il
made a speedy retreat southwark through the
valley. But tine ficility with which the key was
wrestei from the grasp of Milroy has reversed
the picture, and given Lee a tremendous advant-
age. which he has not failed TO use with effect.
Il has not only provided him with ammunition
aid ample stores, but il has opened the gate TO
Maryland and Pennsylvania. and the ad-
vance of the Rebel army has been ravag-
ing those States ever since. carrying off horses
and cattle and various supplies, and preparing the
way for the coming of the main body, and estab
fishing a base of operation from which to march
at pleasure either against B gilmore or Washing
ton on the northern side. The loss of Harper's
Ferry followed from the loss of Winchester.
Perhaps the next thing we shall hear of. as
another consequence, is the capture of MARYLAND
the route to Washington BY two DAYS march.
These consequences and the disgracefui panic
in PENNSYLVANIA have resulted from the utter
want of capacity and courage in General Milroy,
whose military imbecility was long since well
known to the War Department. The public
welfare demands that he be arrested. tried by
court martial, and shot. rs an example for the
future. The interests of the nation equally de-
mand that Mr. Stanton be removed from the War
Dep .rtment. and that Il competent officer receive
his portfolio. The country has no confidence in
Mr. LiDcoln's Cabinet; but. believing in his in
tegritv. il looks to him, as the Chief Magistrate.
to secure hereafter a better aud more successful
management of the war.-tN Y. Herald