Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-06-20
What is a Siege 2

ATepob cynic has said that the use of language is
a,O conceal our tho1ghts." Oar Yankee foes seem
thoroughly TO understand tho fore Of this observation.
Hence they use language, not only to- disguise their
thoughts but to disguise facts, and actually to make
men believe, by their abuse of language, that facts exist
which do not exist. For instrumentation they got pos
session of Morris Island they put forth that Charleston
was besieged by them. The world at large, ana even
toe ChArlsstonians themselves he subjects oil the
il any exists support their abuse oil iangu'se'
publish themselves sieSed From tnas uS5 " 'D',
their papers daily chronicle III, number OIL the uSy
"tks siege" Nov, What is sirgei the ianAe" o'',OA
Wsb.ter's-Ie6nes the word as folloWs "6e''sg'
Law siege TO. or surround lOih armed forces, TOT
u TIA nurpose of compelling to surrender either oy
" famine or by violent attacks-lo throng ToHHd-to De-
"a l.,,.rr -snvirOn-hsu in block Up-elsompG''j De-
"a ,;,g.d surrounded or bCset with hostile troops"
q Damaging surrounding in hostile manner
81 Sie0s-ths surrounding iRrestiHg Of place 10y an
army, and approaching Il BY passages and advanced
works. which cover the besiegers from the enemys
"Are. A siege differs from blOeksd', as in siege
the investing army approaches tho fortified place to
attack and reduce i. by force; but in blockade the
army secures all avenues 10 the place to intercept
" to surrender"
From these definitions it will be that the first
great requisite to constitute siege is that the city
mus. be surrounded ard cus from al other RESOURCES
Of resistance than those contained within ITSELF
Charleston hAs never been in this situstiOn. The
enemy got possession OF al Island four and half miles
from the city add from this island they throw shells into
the city BY long range cannon. They have no troops
on the main land to cut of ho communications with
the interior On the contrary, these communications
have not been interrupted for Jay since the alleged
siege commenced, and Trey stretch out all sides, to
the limits Of the Oonederacy. The cAn0onsdipg from
Morris Island rot only CONSTITUTES NJ siege, bu' Is car
ried on with no hope eXpsc.Aon thereby to reduce
the city. Il Is on this account simply barbarous g.
chief, contrary to the laws Of nations Aud eFen II
consistent with the laws of raons it would only DO an
attack upon one of the sides of the city, whilst ell s
other sides are OF en- 10 rsnOrcements and supplies
We notice the abuse OF language, BY which the Yam
KEGS have made the world believe that they are beseg'
ing Charleston, because We perceive that they may
shortly claim thai they doing the same thing with
respect to Petersburg. They ere few miles from
Petersburg with q powerful army between them and
Petersburg which they have in vain tried to get out OF
their path TO the Cocksde city They trying 10
edge nearer to Petersburg BY pushing forward earth
works. As SOON as they gei near enough to throw q
shell into the place, they will announce that the siege
Of Petersburg has commenced. All the Ignorant in
Yankeedom and Europe will believe that assertion, and
We are not sure but that we will believe it ourselves
Great is the insi uon Of lying; aud greatest among
the most prodiEious liars Yankee foes.