Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-12-11
INDEPENDENT STANDARD.
A. A. EARLE. EDITOR.
IRASBURGH. FRIDAY, DECEMBER II, 1868.
The Army of the Potomac--An-
other Fizzle.

him, did not like bis looks, and SO ba
once more taken the back track-th
road it has so often Travelled for nearl.
three years past-and is once more safe
the advance picket guard to prevent TIL
rebel cavalry from watering their steed
in the Potomac, and to prevent any at
tempt of their infantry TO interfere witt
the rights of our officers to monopolizt
the frail courtezans of the national capt.
tai.
This is bitter pill to swallow. FoI
those whose expectations have been rails
ed to so high pitch of hope since Gen
Meade commenced his pursuit Of Lee
this announcement will be most chilling
Our army followed Lee professedly tC
give him battle or to compel him to fal
within his defenses at Richmond. AL
the news that we have had since the first
advance of the army, till The unwelcome
truth came that it had retreated across
the R4ppahannock, has been of the most
cheering and hopeful character, and the
country was therefore lily prepared for
sdch an unwelcome truth as shat last sent
over the wires. 1t is truth, however, and
it is best that it be known at once that
Gen. Meade has retreated from before
the enemy, and that too without battle
or even attempting to bring one on. So
this brief campaign is ended; no more is
to be expected from that quarter till
spring, and then-judging from all past
experience-another big fzzle.
Less tban ten days ago the people were
electrified with such headings as these in
the daily papers-and they sounded mu-
scally to loyal ears" Gen. Meade adj
vancing J He is successful al all points"
Lee outgeneraled again" If Lee had
any idea that Meade meant to fight bin,
he aoaS "outgeneraled," for he did not do
it, whether he meant to or not Why
did he not fight? is question that will
arise in the mind of every one. He
went after Lee with the avowed purpose
Of giving him battle, then why did be not
do il? The answer to our mind is plain
be dared not to do so, and ii is vain for
lin to offer any such reason as that al
'eady given TO the country, that he did
lot intend TO fight, that his only purpose
vas to prevent Lee from sending rein
'orcements to Longstreet, thus enabling
R..-..-;Io to whip the latter seuctat ana
orce him to raise the siege of Knoxville.
Such make-shilts as these will not answer;
he public wants more plausible reasons
before it will be satisfied. The fact is
patent to all that he dare not attack Lee,
SO deeming discretion the better part of
Valor," he showed the tips of his coat
tail to that willy rebel general.
We are told that Lee was behind en-
renchments and that it would have been
extremely hazardous to have attempted
@ dislodge him. No doubt of it. But
what of that? We wonder if it is any
hing new in the history of this war to
ind an enemy protected by earthworks.
It might have been hazardous to have
attempted to dislodge him, but war is
hazardous game, and he who engages in
must expect rough work.
The army of the Potomac, though
composed of the best lighting material
n the country, accomplishes nothing. 1t
lights well, retreats sullenly, endures all
without murmuring, as becomes
rue soldiers, but all its hard fought bat
les are barren Of results; it cannot win
clean, substantial victory, one that
cunts largely towards the downfall Of
he rebellion. Neither Antietam nor
was such an one. What is
he reason that it can do nothing? Echo
nswers what While Grant, and Rose.
rams, and Banks, and others, march on
rom victory to victory, and trample down
IL who oppose them in the west and in
he southwest, the army of the Potomac
rtters away its time in useless marches,
nd neutralizes the victories gained in
Their departments by its retreats. Could
he heroes of Fort Donelson, Fort Hen
y, Island Ten, and Vicksburg, and Port
hudson, and Shiloh, and Murfreesboro.
nd Chattanooga, and even of Chicamau
a, have had an ally in the army of the
Potomac, the rebellion would have been
rushed long ago. But it has not been
n ally; it has been, rather, drain upon
heir strength at times when that strength Il
'as needed by them 10 win other sue
esses. 1t has often been a clog to other
apartments and ever will be so, and If
richmond is ever taken by the armies of !
he Union it will not be by the army of !
lie Potomac, but il will be after the reb- I
Is are conquered in the Gulf States, and 9
hen the armies that are now winning a