Year: 1863

We wait from day to day for tidings
from the Army OF the Potomac; expecting
to hear that when it attacks the rebel hosts
it will inflict terrible damage, fit does not
utterly 1out and overwhelm them. But
whether through the fortune OF war this
expectation be fulfilled or not, we feel lsure,
that the Army Of the Potomac will bend
every energy, and accomplish al that
human yalor, endurance and skill can do.
For however barren Of great successes, and
crowning victories its career may have
been, We know Of no army that has done
better fighting, ordisplayed more so1dierly
qualities, and truer hcroism, in the front of
the most formidable difficulties and dan
gers, and amidst the most alarming misfor-
tunes and reverses. The behavior of the
Amy Of the Potomac in the six days fight
Of the Peninsula, was such US challenges
the admiration Of all Tor the constancy, in
trepidity, and endurance Of its men. The
steadiness, freedom from confusion, and
ever fresh pluck and rigor with which it
fell back under Pope, and fought its way to
the Potomac against large odds, Will erer
remain 8 brilliant record Of the splendid
fighting material Of which it is made up. The
quiclness with which after this long retreat,
and so much to dishearten and demoralize, it
again responded to the command Of Nc
Clellan, and gathering up its broken and
weary columns, drove Lee from the field Of
:Antietam across the Potomac, must extort
the praise and admiration Of ali. What
more brilliant charges, and steady, un-
finching assaults against impregnable posi-
tlons, were ever seen, than those made by
the Army Of the Potomac under Burnside
at Fredericksburg3 The Wilderness at
Charlottesville also bears witness to the
gallant spirit, and inyiucible courage of
4hatArmy, as its steady and safe repassage


of the swollen Rappahannock, does to its


high tone Of subordinaion and discipline.
That it has not achieved greater successes,
and accomplished all our hopes; that 1t has
not already taken Richmond, overwhelmed
the rebels, and destroyed the rebellion,
only ehows, that in our own as all other
Tars, piogress must often be slow; delays
and obstacles will interfere that no human
: Titcould foresee; and we should 1earnthat
through this very process of hindrance,
delay and reverse a surer success, and more
{: glorious triumph, are being made ready.


It is also most gratifying, that the mo-


ment Gen. Meade took command, all par
tisan clamor and rival abuse utterly ceased.
. We hear not q word of Jealousy, prejudice
OF disparagement Of him. The whole army
and a1 the country unite in the same good
opinion Of his qualifications as comman-


der and lis character rs man. It is ad-


United on all sides that he justly holds the
highest rink Us soldier, and is worthy of
the respect Of all as Christian gentleman.
This unanlmity Of feeling, coming utter
the bitter personal and party strife over
the merits Of former commanders, that
have divided the country and SO greatly
injured the efficiency Of the army, is a
most cheering fact There is every reason
: to believe that the Army Of the Potomac,
made up as it is Of men Of such fine intel
ligence. true courage, uny ie1ding yigor and
endurance, and so well armed and discip-
lined that It is surpassed by no other army
On earth,- will, under such leadership,
sustained and animated BY the united heart
and voice Of the whole country, achieve
great and enduring success.


The Amy Of the Potomac shon1d have
al the confidence Of the country for its
past history. With Its new commander,
and its late great SUCCESS. it il marching
on with tirmer and steadier tread To new
victories Let us not fashion 80 exactly
the shape Of the triumphs which arc sure
to come; that we shall be disappointed.
complain and blame, if they come in some
other and uuexnnctet1 rnoaa