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53.--the First defeat of the rebels.
It is evident that
General Scott has once more beaten the enemies of his country by mere force of
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his admirable stratagetical genius.
To do so, he has, as was necessary, suffered not only traitors, but loyal men, to rest under a misapprehension.
Those who remember the impatience with which the
American public watched his apparent inaction at one period of the
Mexican war, will not have forgotten the shout of admiration which went up from the people, when it was at last discovered that the supposed inaction had been in reality the wisest and shrewdest action ; and that by the most masterly display of military strategy he had outwitted the enemy, and obtained a splendid victory, when nought but defeat and disaster stared our army in the face.
He who reads and compares carefully the despatches from
Charleston,
Montgomery, and
Washington, in this morning's journals, can not avoid the gratifying conclusion that that which looks at first blush like a disaster to the government, is in reality but the successful carrying out of an admirable plan of military operations.
Before this, the traitors see themselves caught in the toils.
In fact, it seems to have sickened the chief traitor,
Davis, already; for
Montgomery despatches relate that when the news from
Charleston came, and the mob serenaded
Davis and
Walker, “the former was not well and did not appear;” and even his secretary was costive of words, and “declined to make a speech.”
The facts which tend to the conclusion we have pointed out, may be summed up as follows:
General Scott has been averse to the attempt to reinforce
Fort Sumter.
He saw that it would cost men and vessels, which the
Government could not spare just now.
As an able general, he saw that
Sumter and
Charleston were points of no military importance, and would only need valuable men to hold, if we took them — with no adequate advantage gained.
He saw that the two keys of the position were
Fort Pickens in the
Gulf, and
Washington, the capital.
He knew that
Davis had not generalship to perceive that on the 4th of March, and for some weeks afterward, it would have been almost impossible for the
Federal Government to defend
Washington against such a force as the traitors had already collected before
Sumter, and which could be marched at any time on a capital not yet prepared for defence — not yet even purged of traitors.
His plans, based on these facts, were at once laid.
By every means in his power, he concentrated the attention of traitors and loyal men on
Sumter.
He must have seen with infinite satisfaction the daily increasing force gathered at
Charleston, while the
Government lost no time in strengthening the capital.
Every hour the traitors spent before
Sumter gave them only more surely into the hands of their master.
To make assurance doubly sure, he pretended to leave
Fort Pickens in the lurch.
It was said to be in danger, when
Scott knew that a formidable force was investing it. Men feared that all would be lost by the inaction of the
Government, when it was never more shrewdly energetic.
At last
Washington was reasonably safe.
Forces were gathered.
Once more our brave old General saw himself with means in his hands.
Then came the armament, popularly believed to be destined for
Sumter.
The Government said not a word — only asked of the traitors the opportunity to send its own garrison a needed supply of food.
They refused, and — fearing the arrival of the Federal fleet--drunk and besotted with treason, and impatient to shed the blood of loyal soldiers, they made the attack.
Scarce had they begun when they saw, with evident terror, ships hovering about the harbor's mouth; they plied their cannon in desperate haste; but no ship came in to
Anderson's help.
What was the matter?
Made bold by the furious thirst for blood, they dared the ships to come in. But no ship offered its assistance to
Anderson.
More,, the guns of
Sumter were only directed at the works of the traitors, and
Major Anderson evidently tried to fire in such a manner as not to kill men. He did not even try a few bombs on the city, though it is certain, from a letter of one of his own officers, that his guns would reach beyond the centre of
Charleston.
What was the matter?
Beauregard must have thought the
Government officers both fools and cowards.
When his own boats were sailing unharmed about the harbor, between
Sumter and
Moultrie, bearing his orders, was it possible that the forces outside could stand apathetic, while a brave garrison was being done to death?
When the battle was to the death, would a shrewd officer neglect to divert his enemy's attention by firing his city?
If it seemed mysterious to us, waiting on Saturday with breathless suspense, it must have seemed incomprehensible to any cool head in the traitor camp.
Still no ships came in — and, in fact, the reports state that only three or four small vessels remained in the offing.
After forty hours cannonade, in which not one man is killed,
Major Anderson, an officer of undoubted courage and honor, runs up a white flag, surrenders the fort, and becomes the guest of
General Beauregard.
Let no man hastily cry traitor!
He only obeyed his orders.
He made an honorable defence.
I-He took care to shed no blood.
He “gave orders not to sight men, but to silence batteries.”
Meantime, while the rebels are ignorantly glorifying the victory of five thousand men over eighty, what news comes from
Montgomery?
The telegraph in the hands of the rebels says:
Fort Pickens was reinforced last night.
“It is understood that
Charleston harbor is blockaded.”
Despatches from
Lieut. Slemmer, captured by the rebels, gave
Davis the first intimation of his defeat?
No wonder the rebel chief was “sick,” and went to bed!
No wonder that his
Secretary,
Walker, declined to make a speech!
And what from
Washington?
These significant paragraphs:
The report that Anderson has surrendered, and is the guest of General Beauregard, has been communicated to the President.
The latter was not surprised, but, on the contrary, remarked, ‘The supply vessels could not reach him, and he did right.’
When he was told that the report was that nobody was injured in Fort Sumter, he seemed very much gratified, and remarked that he regretted that Major Anderson could not be supplied, as that was all he needed.
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The next act in the play will represent a scene at Fort Pickens, in Pensacola harbor.
The position of affairs is this:
Charleston is blockaded.
Fort Pickens is reenforced by troops which the traitors foolishly believed were destined for
Sumter.
Washington is secure beyond peradventure.
The traitors have, without the slightest cause, opened the war they have so long threatened.
The country is roused to defend its assailed liberties, and gathers enthusiastically about the
Government, and treason has been checkmated at the first blow it struck.
Let them keep
Sumter a few weeks.
Let no man cry traitor to
Major Anderson!
Let no one fear for the energy of the Administration.
Let us thank God that brave old
General Scott remains to give his loyal heart and wise head to his country's service!--
Evening Post.
