THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: Its Movements Down the Peninsula Safely Effected; MOVEMENTS OF THE GUNBOATS (8/20/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/20/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WILLIAMSBURGH, Va., Sunday, Aug. 17, 1862.

The Army of the Potomac has to-day returned to view a second time the battle-fields of Williamsburgh. Over four months have passed away since this army, powerful in its numbers and confident in its leader, drove the rebels out of their intrenchments at this place with unexampled slaughter, and pursued them toward Richmond. During this time, it may be safely asserted, they have dug more miles of intrenchments, constructed more roads and bridges, and leveled more acres of forest than any other army has ever done since the world began. They have also beaten the enemy in every engagement where they were not, by accident or blunder, greatly outnumbered, and ought, as they confidently expected they would, to have been in the rebel Capital to-day, instead of retracing their weary way over these roads, rendered doubly vexatious by the recollections of the past. Delays, disease and disaster have accomplished what the enemy could not -- they have depleted the ranks, and have discouraged -- not permanently disheartened -- the soldiers, and rendered it absolutely necessary that they should be transferred to another and more favorable field of operations.

Other circumstances, equally urgent, no doubt demand the change, and the country will experience a relief when they hear that the army has been taken away from its uncomfortable and unhealthy location on the James River, and is now to take up some more congenial position.

It is also a source of gratification that this change has been effected without the loss of a single life, so far as known, or the occurrence of any serious accident. That it has been accomplished (as reported) with the full knowledge of the enemy, proves that they have a better use to make of their troops

[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/4086745/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Army of the Potomac: Its Movements Down the Peninsula Safely Effected – 2-3
News from the Mississippi: Bayou Sara Taken Possession of by the National Forces – 3
Additional from New-Orleans: The Battle of Baton Rouge and the Destruction of the Arkansas – 3-4
The Invasion of Kentucky: Communication with Cumberland Gap Cut off – 4
News from Washington: Creation of the Department of the Ohio – 4-6
Editorial: Western Surprises – 6
Stonewall Jackson Again – 6
Our New Reservoir – 6
A Gratifying Appointment – 6-7
Utilizing Exempts – 7
The Brooklyn War Meeting – 7

[BroJoeK]

For some reason Dakota Indian war battles of 1862 are included in Civil War engagements.
I don't think that's right, so I'll report them here, but will not include them in Civil War statistics such as casualties, wins & losses.

Minnisota 1862 Dakota War Engagements

Date	Engagement	Military Units	Losses	Victor
Aug 19	New Ulm, Minnesota	Union civilians (Nix, Roos, Flandreau -350), Santee Sioux (Little Crow, Big Eagle -750)	Union 45-total (15-killed), Santee Sioux unknown	USA