The Portland daily press., 1863-08-15
WHOLE NO. $50.

cisco Tor what was deemed an extrayapant
outlay Tor his regiment at Philadelphia, said.
congress might as well shell out half mill
ION hrst as last, for this fuss will cost that be-
fore we get through with it.y A western Sem
ator would march with 20,Oc0 men tbrougb
the South and sweep the rebels into the Cnlf
Of Mexico. The call for 1900 volunteers for
three months seemed masterlv crannl;ng
with the insurrection. Enthusiasm was AZ
Iever neat; tne Anaconda would soon coil
round the mob and crush out its life.
But weeks to be counted by months were
spent in preparation, until the cry of the peo-
pie, "On to Richmond" became furious. The
Union army now moves, and the rebel Con-
gress with the arch traitor are all to be can
tured In few days. Drunken and profane
oihcers are to swagger into Richmond at the
neaa ol citizen soliiery, and then forever az
ter repose on their iaurels.
Now commences q series of d;sanno;nt-
ments which are to touch the nation fo the
quick. The bloody repuse at Bull Run first
shocks our pride, ard awakens an uneasv an
prehension that we are not to have il ali our
own way. We are chafed by the ridicuIe
which comes across the water by the next re-
turn steamer, while we mourn for the gallant
dead iand for homes bereaved Three bnn-
dred thousand men for three years are now
called Tor, and we are sure the moral effect of
raising such an army will dishearten The re-
belon and teach other nations TO respect ms.
Now the veteran hero, who never before
mad lost hattie. and whose name Is charm
to the army and nation, finds the pressure of
years too great for his work. and with the ma
tion's hope centering in him, gracefully retires-
and youthful commander is called to hear
his honors and burdens. The enthusiasm of
the nation again kndles, and bright prophe-
cies for the hero Of Western Virginia relieve
the gloom OF the hour. Recruiting goes brisk
~ on; powerful army is raised and augment
ed under special Congressional act 10 5OO.-
600 men. Again the shout Is. sOn 10 Rich
mond," and our noble army the nations pride.
moves out TO Manassas, sits down for six
month IN the face of the enemy, and then
wakes up 10 nnd the enemy gone, and itself 10
have been kept in allegiance BY Quaker guns.
Now follows the dreaful peninsula campaign,
baked by indecisions, counter-poicies and in
eficiencles which make the country sick At
heart, and in the judgment of the English
court, confirm its decree that the sRepubIjcan
bubble has burstr
The first guslf and glow OF patriotism have
subsidized The government and army hive
failed to meet the expectations of the people:
the national pride is wounded; party lines.
which In the first furor of loyalty were sunk.
come again to the surface, aud IL is painfully
evident that our brave men, who have LETT
home TO save country, must be sacrificed by
thousands to the Moloch Of political intrigue,
The government Is developing gigantic ener-
gies in military preparations, In taking import
ant posts along the coast, and In sweeping
down upon the area of the rebellion in the
west; but no careful observer can escape the
impression, that political wire-pulng Is fet-
tering the operations of the army In the East
and causing deplorable weakness In the goy-
ernment- The enemy perceives this and
grows exnltant. French and English aristoc-
racy welcome the tidings, and mounting their
hobby OF Intervention, pour ricicue upon our
government and send good cheer TO its trail
torous assailants
Now the third "On to Richmond'' il fol-
lowed by second terrible Bull Run defeat.
and our army Is thrown back in confusion.
into its intrenchments around the capital
The enemy, flushed with victory, moves into
our territory where he Is repulsed. bnt takes
his own time to retreat and carries of with
him SiO,O0OO0O worth OF army stores taken
at Harper's Ferry, besides the usual plunder
seized in the country invaded. Now follow a
change OF commanders aud laundering at
tempt to cut off his retreat, while he intrench-
es himself on the nights OF Fredereksburg An
attempt to dislodge him ends in a sacrifice OF
thousands OF precious lives, and disheartenino
defeat. Now another change OF commanders.
mouths OF preparation--a furious attack and
bloody defeat. Still our noble army Is not de-
moralized, and the country does not lose
heart, though myriads Of its noblest sons have
fallen through want Of competency or fidelity
In the directors OF the struggle.
This patient endurance OF the people under
these reverses, while cowardly traitors in their
midst were magnifying every disappointment,
and working every reverse into the greatest
possible dscouragement, reaches the moral
sublime. There is no aspect OF our national
life OF which an American may be more Justly
proud than this. A people born and bred to
sovereignty. never schooled into submission
to arbitrary rule, when their government
for two and half long years fails to accom-
plish what they demand oft, when the enthu-
siasm kindled by extravagant expectations has
died out, and their pride Is CALLED to the quick
still stand firm as their everlasting hills by
their government, and pour out their blood
and treasure freely as water for its support
All hail to Columbia's sons their loyalty shall
yet be rewarded.
The enemy grown confident by the reverses
OF the Potomac army, and desperate by failing
fortunes elsewhere, now plans for a final blow
by which he will dictate peace. With part
of his force he viii sweep around to the North
menace or take Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
and compel Hooker to uncover Washington.
and then with n reserve corps he viii move
upon his rear, capture the capital, and grind
the Union army between the upper and neither
millstones. But wisdom rules the hour: his
strategy Is matched. The for once mastery
inactivity Of our army stimulates his vault
ing ambition to overleap itself. by massing his
whole force for the capture OF cities north of
Washington. He first moves upon Harris-
burg, but becomes strangely cautious as he
approaches, occupying three days in making
the last eighteen miles. He throws shell
within a half mile Of the city, but days pass
and still he does not enter it; why not, none
in that comparatively defenceless place can
tell. AT length he turns back, and in a few
days rebel officer explained the mystery BY
telling Mr.. Mason, of Carlisle, that they
thought Harrisburg was defended by thirty
thousand veteran troopsl and supposed they
must be waiting to draw them into a trap. AT
that time the city had not over five hundred
soldiers for its defense.
The new commander of the Potomac army
Is now ready for them; he can cover Washing
ton and choose his own battle ground. With
consummate skill he hastens forward his divi-
sions towards Gettysburg, and there on lit
tie eminence forms his line Of battle comman-
ding a full view of all the enemys movements;
forms his line of battle where he can check
mate them, by moving but 1.-THE Of the dis
lance the enemy will have TO move.
Here on the morning of the LIST of July,
commenced one of the most terrific engage
ments known In history. The national capital
hung in the balance; aye, and II recent devel-
opments do not mislead. a bloody revolution
at the North was awaiting the success OF Lee
at Gettysburg. To attempt an original de-
scrpltou OF that three days fight, which gave
to the national anniversary undying spendors,
would be useless, for you have already been
made familiar with IL by the graDhic pens