The Portland daily press., 1864-08-09
Grant and Petersburg.

The Copperhead journals all over the coun-
try have greatly magnihed the repulse of the
Federal troops in attempting to occupy Gem
etery Hill after the explosion, and deceived
their readers in relation to the magnitude of
that disaster. 1t is true that the public mind
was not prepared to receive the news of any
repulse of our troops at Petersburg, however
slight or disastrous 1t might be, and when such
news comes we are ALL in the excitement of
the moment, naturally inclined to magnify the
report, and put upon it a construction more or
less false. 1t is not strange in times like these
that the public heart should be exceedingly
sensitive, and subject to impressions, not only
painful but false, when the magnetic wires
bring to US unfavorable reports and sad acct
dents by field or food.
All loyal hearts have been taught to believe
from the lessons Of the past that the indomita-
BILE Grant or any portion of his brave army,
could not meet with any disaster, and the Cop
perheads of the Vallandigham school have
feared that the Generals course would be on
ward to victory, uninterrupted by single de-
feat, or delayed by a single repulse.
Such was the state of the public mind when
the news came that Grant had been delayed
In his operations before the 'Cockade City"
And there is nothing unnatural in the fact
that loyal hearts should at first magnify the
consequences of the repulse, or that Copper
head journals should exaggerate and make the
most of them. 1t Is their vocation. But time
and reflection correct false impressions. 1t is
their province 10 bring out the truth before
the people and place affairs in true light so
that all can see them in their just aspects and
proportions, except those who are wilfully
blind and delight in looking upon the dark
shades of the picture.
Now let US enquire the cause of this repulse,
such as it was, before we allude to the militia
ry results springing out oft. In the first place.
we all have been taught by history that the
fortunes of.war are often uncertain. The hest
laid plans of the most skillful commanders on
sea and land oftentimes fail and end in discom-
future. A very little thing, a slight mistake, a
lack Of a few moments of time, orders not fully
understood-all these turn the tide of battle,
and greatly disappont soldiers and their lead
ers. panic will sometimes strike the hearts
of veteran and brave armies, parslyze their
force and demoralize and scatter their ranks,
when no cause for such Il panic can be found.
Victory seemed to be within their reach on
entering the battle fleld-their hearts swelled
with pride and military enthusiasm-their
arms were nerved for conquest, and their step
was firm and elastic, but all at once, a team
ster, perhaps, was struck with terror and turn
ed his horses, others caught the infection and
general stampede ensued, aud what was a
few moments before an anticipated victory
turned into disastrous defeat, and each sol.
dier was running for dear life Such are some
times the fortunes OF war.
We believe IL is conceded on all hands tina,
Gen. Grants plan was skillfully laid and well
matured. II ought to have been fully carried
out, aud If il had been, the stars and stripes
would now be waving over the co0kade city,
and Richmond trembling for its safety, while
JET Davis aud his tratorous crew would be
seeking for some other locality nearer the cen
ter OF rebeldom.
But why was not this well matured plan ex-
ecuted? That is a question in which all feel
deep interest. Gen. Meade is the Executive
officer Of this army, and the details of the plan
were left to him to execute. He selects the
troops who are to make an assault, and arran-
ges other matters which do not come within
the special province of the Corps commanders.
Gen. Burnside's corps was appointed to pos
sess Cemetery Hill, but BY some means or 9TH