Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-09-29
Rosenrans' Battles.

While there Is yet much doubt respecting the
actual results in loss of men and material in the
recent battles in Northern Georgia, it seems now
to be toleraby well established that while Rose
Grams was compelled to fall back upon Chattanoo-
20, be inflicted so much damage upon the rebels
as to prevent them from reaping the fruits OF their
victory. Newspaper reporters north and south,
have given, no doubt, colored reports of the re-
suits Of the lighting. 1t is noticeable, however,
and We have right to take encouragement from
it, that the rebels are disappointed in the result
Of the battle. They had concentrated immense
forces-all their available strength from all points
east of ths Miss,sipp-n the expectation of being
thus abe to infict so crushing blow upon Rose
Grams as would practically annihilate bis army 1t
is now ascertaned beyond all question that from
$4,000 to 10000 men from Lees army, had join
ed Bragg. LongHreet's and d. II. Hills corps
we're there, and at least ons division from EwelPs
corps. As early as Sept. 10Th, Bragg issued a
genera order in which he said
The troops will be held ready for an immedi.
ate move against the enemy. His denominations
on our TANKS have been thwarted, and twice has
be retired before us when offered battle. We
must now force him to the issue. Soldiers, you
are largely reinforced, you must now seek the
contest. 10 doing 90, know you will be content
to suffer privatons and encounter hard'hps.
Heretofore you have never failed to respond to
your general when he has asked a sacrifice at yonr
hands. Relying upon your gallantry and patriot
ISM he asks you to add browning glory TO the
wreaths you wear. Our credit is in your keeping.
Your enemy boasts that you are domorallzsd and
retreating before him. Having accomplished
our object in driving back his flank movement, lei
US now turn on bis main force and crush il in i'll
iauced strength.
This order demonstrates that Bragg then sup
posed himself strong enough to deliver q blow
that should "crush Rosecrans, and deliver
Georgia from any further apprehension from hi
invading army.
This Bragg has failed to do. We have already
printed the opinion Of the Richmond Whig
which says that the battle had better not have
been fought than to have accomplished so little a
such immense sacrifice. Other rebel papers, il
speaking Of it, claim no decisive victory, whit
Rosecrans holds his position at Chattanooga. Al
late as the 22d, after receiving Bragg's telegram
at the conclusion OF the fighting, they made nc
claim to a decided vctory;" and while, ofcourse
the result was better to them than a decisive de-
feat, it is apparent from their comments upon il
that they are utterly disappointed that Bragg &C
complished no more.-And we can understand
the reason for this rebel dependency, even in thu
hour of apparent victory. 1t is practically de
feat to them. They made the attack after grea
preparation, and after massing all available troop
for the purpose Of making assurance doubly sure
What have they accomplished According t.
their own highest official estimate, they capturet
$500 prisoners. This will allow 2S00 paroet
rebel prisoners to be again put in the field. Blu
to accomplish this they suffered, according t.
their estimate, loss Of 5000 killed and wounded
though the number would undoubtedly reaci
twice that number-and we took 1900 prisoners
This makes their loss $500, against gain Of $500
or net loss to them, according to their own fg
ures, of $500. How long at this rate can they Of
ford to fight battles'
And it should be remembered that their rank
when once thinned must remain so. They hav
exhausted in great measure their sources Of sup
ply, and can only now strengthen their weakened
ranks by depicting one army to strengthen another
Lee cannot always reinforce Bragg, and still hav
force sufficient 10 hold Meade in check an
what will Bragg do when Longstreet's Hills AM
Ewell's troops are recalled to rescue Lee from de
featP 10 this view Of the situation we begin t
apprehend the force Of the wall OF the Richmond
Whig:
Situated as RosecraDs ia, Victory that does no
dispose Of or capture hi, whole army is a lost oE
portunily. II he is permitted TO remain, then gu
victory will be without profit, and we have only I
: mourn that so many brave men have died in vail
, and chiefly that the gallant Hood has sealtd b
( lai,h with his blood. Rosecrans must not onl
be beaten in battle, but he must be destroyed G
driven from East Tennessee, otherwise the battl
had as we'll not been fought. Ifthis stronghold
no, wrenched from him nov it will not be herea
ter II he holds it, he holds point d. sppu fror
which he may at any moment strike at the yer
yitals Of the Confederacy.
While Rosecran, confIonts Bragg, it is tru
enough for the rebels that the battle might as We
not have been fought. Their temporary victor
8 cannot at all compensate for their irroparabls o
ses Their strength is falling their life blood
: running away in these desperate struggles, and n