A Northern paper on Butler.
--The New York
Times, writing about
Butler on the
Southside as a General, says:
‘
No substantial successes have been expected of the
James river expedition since it was announced that
Gen. Butler was in command; for whatever else may be the capacity of that individual, it is notorious that he is incompetent to direct the movements of a regiment, much less an army.
His rule is that of a tyrant, not of a warrior.
The accounts just received from his military operations are by no means flattering; in fact, his column has met with a decided reverse.
Gen Beauregard, whom he ostentatiously announced as cut off from
Richmond, has played
Gen. Butler a scurry trick.
He brought his army away from
Petersburg by a route which it seemed the
Federal commander knew nothing of, and as dexterous in attack as he is skillful in defence, the wily
Frenchman seized a proper moment to strike a damaging blow.
On Monday morning, under cover of a heaving,
Gen. Beauregard's forces stole a march on the
Federal, some of his troops passing quite to the rear of the enemy, when a general attack was made.
The surprise was a partial, but not a complete success.
On the right
Heckman's brigade; of smith's corps, upon whom the first blow fell, almost surrounded, were driven back on another brigade in confusion, and many of them, including
Gen. Heckman, were taken prisoners.
’
The Confederate also gained other important advantages on this part of the line, but it is stated, were not so successful in the assault on
Gen Gillmore's corps, which occupied the left.
The result, in brief, was that
Gen Beauregard captured more than a thousand prisoners, a half dozen pieces of artillery, and the abandonment by the
Federal of the formidable line of works which they had previously taken.
The Confederates, as usual, it is said, attacked in overwhelming numbers.
We do not see that the operations in this quarter give the slightest promise of success, not withstanding the glowing accounts of the correspondents of the press, and the fact that
Gen. Butler commands in person.
In the meantime the women of
Richmond, aware of his proximity and peculiarities, are removing their pianofortes and teaspoons.
Recent reports state that
Gen Butler lost five thousand men when
Gen Heckman was engaged with the enemy.
