The true northerner., 1864-06-17
John Bull & the Virginia Battles.

John Bull & the Virginia Battles.
The steamship Virginia arrived at New
York on the 9th inst, with three days
later news from Europe. The news of
the great battles in Virginia had caused
profound sensation in England, and peo.
pie were astounded at the magnitude of
the losses. Some papers think. GRANT
had been defeated in his object to ad-
vance on Richmond, while others regard
the battles as indecisive, and say the
Federals paid dear for the victory, if they
gained any. The London Times thinks
if GRANT captures Richmond the rebel
cause is not lost, and its downfall will be
great waste of life to the Federals.-
John Bull has formed correct estimate
in regard to the magnitude of our opera
tions in Virginia, if not in regard to their
practical results. OF these, Gen. GRANT
informs us that "time will tell. The
fighting in Virginia since the inaugura-
tioniof the campaign, is destined to form
one of the most memorable pages in the
annals Of human warfare The world
never before saw anything like it. All
other contests seem tame and fat when
compared with it. 1t stands out in terri
ble promiuence-unique, unprecedented,
unparalleled. Most of the great battles
of history have been of comparatively
short duration. Even those upon the
issue of which the fate of empires turned,
have been decided within the compass of
single day. The battle of Austerlitz
was fought and finished between sunrise
and sunset. The battle of Waterloo COM
menced at IL A. NJ, and closed before
the shades of night appeared. The bat
tie of Marengo was decided in the after
noon of that memorable day. The battle
of So!ferino was concluded in sixteen
hours from the firing of the first gun.
But in Virginia we had six days of al
most continuous fighting A respectable
sized battle on Wednesday afternoon-
the first day fighting all day Thursday
fighting Friday till midnight fighting
lightly Saturday morning and 6ercely
Saturday night; fighting desperately the
greater part Of Sunday fighting by
driblets Monday, and the bloodiest battles
of the war on Tuesday. Still no decisive
victory was achieved, and, SO far at least
as we were concerned, no signs OF flag
giug. Our brave fellows were still enthu-
siastic-still eager for the fray-still de-
termiued to press on until the foe had
been finally routed and destroyed. Was
such courage, such pluck, such unfag-
ging resolve, such tenacity of purpose,
ever witnessed since the world began
The aggregate Of losses, too, has been
terrible Tie niVst sdbguloary couiiicts
that history records fall short, with one or
two EXCEPTIONS, of the bloody results Of
the battles in Virginia. At Solferino,
the French lost $4,000; at Ssrdinians,
5000, and the Austrians 10000. At
Maren 20, the total loss on both sides did
not exceed $4,000. AT Waterloo, the
aggregate loss on both sides was not over
$4,000. But in the series of battles
fought in Virginia our loss in killed,
wounded and missing, is estimated at
about $4,000, wbilo that Of the enemy is
even larger. We can recall but one in
stance in modern wars where the losses
we're so heavy. At the battle Of Leipsic,
the French had 10000 and the allies
$4,000 men killed and wounded; but
then all Europe was engaged in a three
days struggle. But of what value are
the rivers of human blood poured out
upon the soil Of Virginia, wheu compared
with the perpetuatiou of human bondage,
the sole object of the rebels in Inaugural
ting this war ?-,N. Johns Republican.
REINFoRCEMENTs FOR GRANT.-We
infer that all the old regiments in and
about Washington and It's defences have
been sent forward. A sufficient number
of the Maryland militia have been called
out to occupy the forts around Baltimore.
The 9TH Artillery have vacated the forts
in rear Of Washington aud the I'd Ar.
tillery Occupying the liue Of forts be-
tween Chain Bridge and Arlington, }, got