The Daily Dispatch: October 6, 1864., [Electronic resource]

We find the following paragraph in the leading article of the Sentinel of Tuesday. It is of a character so grave, and comes from a source so worthy of credit, that we trust it may not be overlooked:

‘ "There is a remark which we feel it to be a duty to make before concluding. The anxious hurry of preparation, which was exhibited by officers having superintendence on the north side, after the time for preparation had passed, showed that there had been a previous neglect, by no means to be commended. The weak and undefended state of a position after wards pronounced important — we allude to Fort Harrison--remains to be explained to the public satisfaction. The necessity of turning the departmental officers and employees of the Government into diggers and spaders, to remedy a grave deficiency in the defences at another point, disclosed, it would seem, by the exigency now past, is no compliment to the foresight or vigilance in which we have been confiding. We must add another word: There was an exhibition of excitement, in some cases just where there had been this apparent want of previous vigilance, that was by no means inspiring. And as the result proved these anxious apprehensions to have been ill-founded, the judgment as well as the serenity of those who exhibited them is brought in question."

’ The Sentinel is well known to be friendly to the Administration. These remarks, therefore, cannot possibly be attributed to any desire on the part of the writer to excite anything like a feeling of bitterness against it on the part either of the citizens or of any other person whatsoever. They are evidently extorted by a view of the whole situation from a man who was in a condition to know it, and who, knowing it, could do no less than call attention to it. That there was gross neglect before the approach of the enemy, is but too apparent. That there was disgraceful hurry and unnecessary trepidation after it was announced, is matter of notoriety. These facts have raised a painful inquiry among the citizens of Richmond as to the competency of some persons entrusted with our defence, and we respectfully suggest that it ought to be listened to.--If one-half we have heard be true, then certainly there ought to be a change. No man ought to be entrusted with any military charge about Richmond who is not confident that it can be held against all odds. It ought to be recollected that there are croaking officers as well as croaking citizens; and it is reasonable to believe that an officer of this character would not make the best defender in the world. It is well known that there were persons who, eighteen months ago, recommended the abandonment of Charleston, and we may be sure that there are others who take a like gloomy view of Richmond. If there be any such, most assuredly they ought not to be entrusted with any command about this city. If a man thinks a place cannot be defended, we may be sure he will give it up if he be requested by the enemy to do so. Witness, Colonel Anderson at Fort Gaines.

Richmond can be held against any force Grant is ever likely to bring against it, provided only it have the right sort of officers in command. Its importance to the Confederacy is well known to President Davis. It is, in fact, the most important place in the whole Confederacy. The Yankees know that as well as we do. If it be taken, we lose the State of Virginia, in all probability; and the State of Virginia is, unquestionably and unmistakably, the backbone of the Confederation. It is strange, then, that its defence should be entrusted to men who loiter away the time when they should be preparing everything for a crisis; and that too in sight of the enemy, and who, when that crisis comes, are too excited to do anything in the world, who lose all the little sense they ever had, and then begin to talk of preparation when it is already too late.