FROM GEN M’CLELLAN’S ARMY: Editorial correspondence of the New-York Times; A REVIEW OF THE PAST FORTNIGHT (6/20/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/20/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Monday, June 16, 1862.

A fortnight has elapsed since the bloody check sustained by our army at the Seven Pines, redeemed by the glorious victory of Fair Oaks. That attack was deliberately planned by the rebels, and was expected to relieve them of the menacing presence of the Army of the Potomac. In this they were sadly disappointed. Their purpose was utterly and disastrously thwarted; and although they inflicted upon us a severe and most serious loss, their own was far heavier, not only in the number of killed and wounded, but in the thorough and remediless defeat of a movement, skillfully conceived, vigorously executed, and which had every reasonable promise of success.

The country is impatient for another battle. Unless I am greatly mistaken, it will not have long to wait, though a day seems long, I am well aware, to an eager and unreflecting public. I think it not at all unlikely that, if our army could have followed the rebels in full force into Richmond, after their repulse on Sunday, the 1st of June, the City might have fallen into our hands. But this was physically impossible. Only a portion of our forces -- quite inadequate for such an enterprise -- had crossed the Chickahominy, that portion had been most seriously weakened by the two days' battle; there were but two or three bridges then constructed which were available for the transit of troops, and even those were swept away the next day by the terrible storm which followed the battle. That engagement, moreover, disclosed some facts which could not be neglected in any subsequent estimate of results, and foremost among them was the courage and tenacity of the resistance offered by the rebels to our arms,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4072274/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

From M’Clellan’s Army: Editorial Correspondence of the New-York Times – 2-6
Another Call for Troops: Jackson Again Threatening the Shenandoah Valley – 6
News from Washington: Progress of the Pacific Railroad Bill – 6-7
Editorial: Richmond – And Then? – 7
The Gateway of East Tennessee – 7-8
Editorial: Spain and Spanish America – 8

[allendale]

The New York Times was a biased propaganda organ even then.