Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-08-04
The Grand March of Events Six
Months Ketrospect


umes was actually greater than the historic
space spanned by the long expected treatise.
Such had been the suffocating wealth of ma
terial disclosed to the gifted writer, so much
in the realms Of fact aud opinion offered
itself on every hand for him to examine and
digest, such were the number aud magnitude
of events to be recorded, that he seemed, in
a certain sort, TO have slipped backward in
his appointed task; or, as an appreciative
critic said the leaves Of history turned over
faster than Macaulay could illuminate the
pages.
But, if such were the oppressive richness
of the vein which Nacaulay opened and
worked till his own life was spent, long be-
fore the historic mine was exhausted, what
will be the embarrassment of the future his
terian of our times?
To merely catalogue the striking military
events of the war since the first shot Of the
rebellion flew across the bow of the Star of
the Hest, would occupy every column of the
New York Times. from margin to margin
Then add all the details in the realms Of H.
HduNE9 vi BOtlilCos VI duuilfllSIldtlOQ.
Of foreign affairs, Let all these be ilIustra-
ted from the millions Of printed pages and
manuscripts which are to be called and stud
led. Consider the time, patience, intelli-
gence, genius, required for the elaboration of
details, for description elucidation, argu-
ment, inference, and it win be seen what the
historiographers of the rebellion have before
them. Such an epoch has never been known
to America; few such to the world
To sweep in with one rapid glance the
achievements Of the republic, and its Mingled
experience, within the last six months alone,
start with the old battle grounds in Tennes-
see, where. in the two grand engagements of
Franklin and Nashville, Hoods army OF in
vasiou was dashed into fragments against the
veteran legions of Thomas. Then comes
Sherman's daring plunge from AtIanta
through Georgia; the cooperative at ack of
Foster on Grahamsvilie and the Charleston
Railroad; the storming of Fort McAllister
the siege and surrender of Savannah, with its
great armament and wealth Terry's gallant
sssanlt ni, Fort Eisher next oln,a .ss.->..s:-.,,
| to which succeeds the surrender of Whining
ton.
Within the same period Shermans' double
columned army has swept across to the Caro-
linas, and added Branchyille, Columbia. Che
raw and Charleston to its list of triumphs.
Schofeld's advance on the line of the Neuse
his two battles at Kinston, and his penetration
of Goldsboro, are next in order, while Sher-
man is still marching on Raleigh, and defeats
Johnston at Bentonvile and Averysboro.
Grant now once more absorbs all attention,
easily wards the terrific blow his adversary
dealt him at Fort Stedman, and, quickly re-
turning the compliment from his left, .
breaks down the whole fabric of rebellion at
Quaker Road, Five Forks and Petersburgh,
carries the rebel capital, pursues the the rebel
army, and strikes it once, twice, pausing with
the magnauimity OF a noble soldier before the
third blow should auuihilate the wreck of
foe left before him.
Pa't passu with these grand events, three
grand expeditions start from the West Can.
by thunders at Spanish Fort and Blakely, and
forces his way into Mobile. Wilson with
cloud of horsemen, rides over Alabama an0
Georgia, seatters the cavalry Of Forrest, and
captures Selma, Montgomery, and Macon.
Stoneman breaks through Eastern Tennessee
and North Caroliua, riding at viii, and driv-
ing all before him. Lee 5 surrender ensues;
then Johnston's, Taylor's, Kirby Smiths and
the rebellion is over.
But the real completely Of this wonderful
story is only half indicated A Presidential
election and Inauguration, with all its attend
ant excitements. has interyened. a draft of
100000 men has been ordered aud executed
There have been changes in cabinets and rev
olutions in finance. The government credit
has been doubled at home and abroad, and
gold has tumbled from 22S 70 l2S. The
Confederate navy has been swept from the
ocean. A thousand lesser events have added
fuel to the popular esseitesnent-th burning
OF Northern hotels; the Canada raids; the
peace negotiations; the action of Congress
concerning slavery the affair in Lisbon Har-
Dor; the threatening aspect Of Maxamilian's
Empire
AS II the strain ON The popular mind were
not yet intense enough, the murder of the
President-that great murder-plot Of the cen
tury; the pursuit and death of Booth; the
funeral OF Lincoln; the capture of Davis; the
military trials at Washington; the impeach-
ment OF Davis for treason; the grand review;
the honors to our greatest soldiers; have driv-
en- the nation frommirth to tears, from tears to
JOY again, as if it were the sport of fortune.
Such an era is unparalleled in the history
of nations. ~ J.. Times.