New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-03
THE HANDWRITING ON THE
WALL As READ ABROAD.


WALL As READ ABROAD.
The first reports of the battles of GETTYs-
BURG were received by the aristocractic press
Of Europe with manifest surprise, but without
visible abatement of their faith in the ultimate
triumph of the Rebels. II was very clear that
there had been succession of desperate,
bloody collisions, and that the Union army,
under its new and unknown commander, had
not been badly beaten as it had been assumed
that it must be as a matter of course If Its
leaders should risk a battle. Whether Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Washington were to be
taken by Lee after battle or without one,
was the only question that had occupied them
prior to these advices; that there could IN any
case be victory for our side, was not re-
garded by them as within the compass OF pos
sibili,ies. The news that Gen. Meade had
fought and won was received by them very
much as though the telegraph had apprised
them that the Poles had captured st. Peters
burg, after routing the main Russian army
and we're marching triumphantly on Moscow.
II WAS not even admitted or believed by
them that the Rebels had retrcated from Get
tysburg, leaving the battlefield aud several
thousands of their severely wounded in our
hands. Their next most unwelcomc tidlngs
apprised them of his hasty retreat to
the Potomac, with manifest intent TO place that
river behind him at the earliest possible mo.
ment. and that VICKsBURG was surrendered
by Pemberton on the very day that Getiys-
burg was abandoned by Lee. Our decisive
triumphs in the East aud in the West were ts
nearly simultaneous as possible.
Still another week proclaimed the surrender OF
Port Hudson-all three disasters to the Rebel
cause having occurred within the same week.
True, it is said that Port Hudson surrendered
because Of the fall of Vicksburg; but this was
not the fact. The las; mule in Port Hudson
had been killed and eaten. and there was not
single ration of any kind left in the place,
when Gardner sent 10 inquire whether Nick''
burg had really surrendered. lie could mol
have held out three days longer in any case;
aud 10 prospect Of relief was held out to
Justify him in starving bis SICK and wounded.
The defense of either stronghold bad been pro-
tracted TO the utmost limit of human endur'
ance.
Vicksburg was as nearly as mLy be, tie
geographical center Of the Rebel CoBfcderacy
IL was the center al.o of the cottongrow ins
region, and Of the region wherein slavery was
not merely the dominant but the all.cOntrol-
/ ling interest. Ii any STATE except South Car
rolina really wished the Union dissolved Ms
sissippi was that State, and Nick'burg was
the Mississippi Gibraltar. Strong by nature,
il had been deliberately fortified aud formidably
armed Defended by an army of -, 900 men,
its loss had been deprecated by JED. DAVIS il
a public address lart Winter as fatal to the
/ Confederacy The Times but echoed his words
in reminding lis readers that not Gettysburg
but Vicksburg was the vital point What oaT
it say TO the fall Of Vicksburg
Mind, it is not the mere fact that Nlcksbur.
has fallen that We rest on as decisive. Every
grea. struggle has It's alterations OF triumph
and disaster every good cause is ap: to b,
e1posed to reverses and dscomhtures. Ii i,
the fact that reiiJ Of The Jeisogaered garrison
,oas eoer attempted that is conclusive. Gen.
Grant lay Elk weeks under the walls OF Vicks
burg, while Joseph l.. Johnston, one of the
highest in rank and most esteemed and trusted
Of the Rebel Lieutenant Generals, did bis ut
most 10 assemble at jackson all army adequate
10 it's relief Gov. Pettus ordered a levy en-
masse of the arms-bearing population of Mlssis
sippi; unwasted Alabama and Georgia we're al
hand while Braggs army not only might be
but wns drawn upon TO strengthen Johnston
for the indispensable advance upon Grant. Yet
Johnston did not advance, because TO advance
was TO court destruction. lie was from time
TO time warned by messengers from Pember'
ton that his provisions were failing. that Grants
approaches we're reducing Vicksburg to a
thin ridge, swept by the shells Of our fleet and
army alike, and that its fall unless relieved
was reduced 10 question OF hours. And still
Johnston fingered, because his utmost eaort'
could collect no army that could stand
before Grants for an hour. And when Vicks
burg at length fell, Il part Of Grants army
under Sherman was pushed ut once TO Jack
son and drove Johnston out without u serOu,
contest His army does not appear to have
been swellcd above 10000 men, and he wa,
compelled to burn large portion of Jackson
in order to destroy the Confederate stores
which he had no time to destroy less waste.
fully and no opportunity or means Of re,
moving.
Now Washington is on the extreme verge Of
the loyal States. while Vicksburp is the YER,