BY DAVID OVER.
For the Inquirer.
CUMBERLAND VALLEY, August 7tb 1861.
MR. EDITOR: —I doot know as A communi
cation in reply to our little neighbor here at
Oentreville is called for: but as we very well
know that the articles under consideration did
not originate in the brain of this little child,
McCoy, but in the brain (or probably in the
billy , for it does net seotn to me at all proba
ble that a man possessed of an ounce of com.,
non sense would write such articles,) of a full
grown mao, and 1 am convinced that there is
a clique here iu the Valley who are determin
ed, if possible, by covert means, to destroy
every particle of union sentiments, to root out
all true patriotism, and to bring about a feel
ing of repugnance and distrust toward every
measure that is brought for the preservation of
the Union and the enforcement of the laws.—
And I tell you plainly, from personal knowl
edge, that there are honest men, who are good
oitisens, (yet not acquainted with the issues at
stake,) and, unfortunately for them, are made
the pliant dupes of this designing clique.—
This is the reason why 1 uotioe the article in
question at all, for Osborne 0. McCoy is only
a child; consequently not responsible. And
1 think a man a very poor thing indeed, who
will make a child a mouth piece or feat's paw"
to "pull fhe chestnuts out of the fire with."
Now neighbors, let me say to you ail, tbat
it is uot my intention to throw fire brands ioto
society—to cause heart burnings and ill will
to spring up amoog tbe people; neither shall
I deal in personalities, only so far as they are
identified with tbe great question of the day,
or aught about tbe respectability of any one.
1 have nothing to do about private oharacter.
Tbe Gazette correspondent says that I do
not speak the sentiments of ths people of the
Valley. I said that there were but very few
men in the Valley that were not "sound Union
men and staunch supporters of the Constitu
tion." Now I venture tbe assertion tbat there
are not five men in tbe Valley who will
admit that they are traitors, and that there are
not ten men who will say that they are not
Uaion men and supporters of the Constitution.
He says that I am "well known in this town
ship and about as little thought of." (Shades
of scissors and nutmegs! some sound logic
in that.) I know that lam well known, but
what people think of me, or bow they appro*
oiate what I sometimes write, I neither know
cor ears. The position that I have taken in
tbe present crisis is one that I believe, strict
ly speaking, to be right, I aet from a convic
tion tbat for what 1 say and do regarding our
present national difficulties, I will be account
able, not to this little elique in the Valley, but
to him who holds tbe destiny of nations in bis
grasp. Therefore, 1 ask no favor in a politi
cal point of view, bat only aak to bo let alone
in the eojoyineot of ray own opinions. 1 seek
not to wreat the opinions of any man from bim,
neither shall any man deprive me of the free
dom of tbonght. 1 think none tbe worse of
a man—think bim none the less a christian,
lor differing with ine on political opinions.—
The present issue it one tbat has been forced
upon the country, and tbe government ia com
pelled to aeeapt ita only remaining mode of
settlement in order to preserve oar nationality, |
leaving other iaaues for other times and eir
eunutanoea to settle. In my opinion tbe first
duly of all true patriots is, to put an end to
secession principle. If one State baa a right
to soeede, another State has tbe same right.—
if a cluster of tbe Southern States has a right
to demand tbsir independence, tbe New En
gland, the Middle and tbe Weatern States have
the same right. If this secession principle,
(which is used to give a pleasant name to the
wiokedeat rebellion that aver blackened the
biatory of tbe world,) a principle permitting
any State or States to fly to arms and defy
the lawa and proper constituted authorities of
the government, is to bo allowed, we most
then inevitably sink into little paltry States,
and degenerate from a onee prond, prosperous
and Free nation, into despotism, anarchy and
ruin. No! by God's help Rebellion must be
pnt down. The Gazette man seems to think
tbat iam "willfully blind." This is not the
case, if I am blind I am not wilfully so.
Suppose we were to admit that a State, in
its sovereign capacity (which we do not intend
to do,) hae a right to withdraw at pleasure from
the proper Government of the United States.
Uo what grounds can they be justified for
stealing government property; for taking for
cible possession of forts and arsenals; for firing
into unarmed vessels ; for oommcnoiog an an*
provoked attack on Fort Sumter: for threat
ening to destroy our national Capital, and for
■coding out a squadron of piratical vessels to
play upon the commeroe of the United States.
On what grounds will MM smart correspondent
to tbe Gazette attempt to justify the Baltimore
mob tbat attempted to stop tbe passage of
United States troopa on their marah to the
defense of tbe capital; what excuse or justifi
cation will he attempt to make in behalf of
Gov. Jackson of Mo., or Gov. McGoffiu of Ky.
Come, smart Gazette mao, let us hear yoor
apology fot the raising of armies ia loyal
States for tbe subjugation of, not only the U.
$ Govcrritnent, but of tbe State governments
themselves. Now as yon attempt to act op
dogmas in contradiction to the officially da
ohred opinions of Democratic governors, we
*ill expect to hear your justification of
the foregoing. Try in your next eotmnuui
eaiion to get a litt'e above old Brown and tbe
Helper hook, for any body tbat does not an*
dorstaud these questions already are too nig
gardly ignorant for any one to attempt to em
lighten. For my own- part I have read the
Uonstitution onoe io my life, ind I recollect
one clause distinctly, which may be found in
the 3d Section, Articled of the Constitution
of tbe United States, and reads as follows:
"Treason against tbe United States shall oon-
Ut only ia levying wr sg&iast them, or in
A Weekly Paper, Devoted to Literature, Politics, the Arts, Sciences, Agriculture, Ac., Ac—Terms: One Dollar and Fifty Cents in Advance.
adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and
comfort." It seems to me that this is language
plain and simple enough that any man, though
be is blind , can understand it. If I am not
very muob mistaken, tho punishment of trea
son by tbe lawa of our oonntry is death. I
am in fot the enforcement of the laws. If have
taken a wrong position I hope that this Ga
zette man io the Valley will set me all right.
When I hear the nonseosioal nonsense advanc
ed by some of our treason apologize™, in jus
tification of the Southeio rebellion, I can't
help bat wonder whew the fools will all die,|and
1 do tbiok, candidly, tbat it ia about time that
this Donkey that has been roaring around Oen
treville for some months, eease his braying.
My advice to little McCoy is, to go and hang
himself on the nearest tree, (bat I decline in
advance of baing his Executor,) for be may
write till doomsday and he will never eonvince
any man with three grains of common sense,
that any person (man or boy,) that will boldly
proolaim tbat he would willingly give thou
sands of dollars (if be possessed it,) for the
soalps of President Lincoln and Gen. Scott;
and tbat if he bad the power he would take
tbe soalpa of some of his neighbors, mftertains
sentiments anything akin to Unionism. I re
gard all suoh characters, so far as their influ
euoe goes, to be tbe veriest enemies to their
country.
Talking about patriotism, I suppose you po
seas about as touch as a certain tunc, not a
hundred miles from here, who said be would
give one hundred dollars to make Pennsylva
nia a slave stato. So far as the statement
about tbe "rot-gut whiskey" is consented, 1
have only to say that I am in possession of
' proofs tLat will brand the originator of tbat
tale as a liar, and it is quite likely that they
will be forthcoming at the proper time. With
all proper respect for the true author of tbat
article, 1 would tell bim tbat be should be
careful how he delves down into the sinks of
sooiety after dirt, or he will find himself en
tangled in a cobweb some of these days tbat
will not be very creditable to himself. Injus
tice to Dr. Thompson 1 will say tbat tbe state
ment about the Dr. of Physio was a slip of
the pen, and should not have been there, for
I behove bim to be a man of more discretion
and belter judgment than to writ* "Young
America." Tbe slang thrown at ,"Young
Amerioa" in my other letter was designed for
tbe pretended author (O. G. MoCoy,) and not
for the real author, nor Dr. Thompson.
I have ooneidared both of tbeee articles in
the Gazette as a bait, and if they were design
ed as suob I may be considered a hold of the
hook. But I shall notice nothing hereafter,
that appears over the name of Osborne G.
McCoy, nor of Jehn Hook either.
T. L. GROWDEN,
Alias Lucius.
Rebel Atrocities o the Battle-Field.
SHOCKING TREATMENT OF THE
WOUNDED.
Of course, io the excitement of a battle,
thore will occur oases of individual cruelty to
prisoners, and perhaps we should be slow to
believe many of the stories tbat are told of|
even this sort of work—but that our wounded
men were systematically murdered is unques- >
tionably true, for tbe same hideous work was
going on in all parts of the field at once; and
tbe murderous business wss performed, not by
isolated soldiers, but by bodies of men under
the speoial command of offioers of high rank,
and evidently in pursuance of a prearranged
plan.
There ean, I think, be no reasonable doubt
that, if not all, at least certain divisions of tbe
rebel army had instructions not to take any
prisoners, and not to let oar wounded men be
carried off tbe field. I proceed to adduce ray
proofs.
For the information of tbe uoiotimated, let
me promise certain things tbat are so simple
that it may teem folly on my part, but I think
it will have its nee. An ambulance ia a spring
carriage for oerryiog off wounded men. It is
of a peouliar build aadappearanoe, its charac
ter easily recognizable at the longest distanoe
at which it can be seen at all, and let mo say i
that it can no more be mistaken for aoy other
carriage than a trotting su'.key can be mistaken
for a locomotive engine.
A surgeon always wears a green sash, not
only in our own service, but in every army of
every civilized nation. The trimmiogs of his
uniform are greeo, and therein they differ from
every other officer. It is no more possible to
mistake a surgeon for an officer of hostilities,
than to mistake a drummer boy for a Major
General.
When, on or near the battle field, aaorgeoe
finds it necessary to make temporary arrange
ments for the care of tbe wounded, be seleots
a plaoe as uinob sheltered as may be —general
ly in a ravine or behiud a bill, and, if possible,
□nder a tree. W hen tbe surgeon goes to work,
he generally takes off his greeo sash, and bangs
it on a prominent branch of tbe tree, or dis
plays it on a musket stuck in the ground—the
idea being to fly the green soar/ in the m mner
of a flag, io show that tbe plaoe is under the
immediate care of a surgeon, and is to be re
spected accordingly. Whether the surgeon
tbO! displays his flag or not, bis petition can
not be mistaken for anything else. Tue woun
ded men lying about, tbe cruel instruments in
view, th* busy doctors in their shirtsleeves,
and all tbe anrroondiogs, attest tbe nature of
tbe business there going, on, and appeal in
the name of our eotuuvou human nature, to
the best feelings, and tbe safest protection of
the eonteuding armies, both sides indiscrimi
nately.
Now to authenticated facts.
R. Elliot, of the Seventy-ninth
Regiment N.Y.S. M.( Highlanders,) was stand
ing near CoL Cameron of bis regiment, when
the latter was struck by s shot and fell mortal-
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY. AUG. 16, 1861.
ly wounded. Tbe Lieutenant and others in
stantly rushed to tbe falling officer. Lieut.
Elliott, with twelve mso of the Fifth and Tenth
Companies of his regiment, raised the Colonel
and started to bear him off tbe field. No
sooner was this group of men discerned by the
field telescopes of the enemy, than they were
made a target for an entire battery of rifled
oannon, and a number of infantry. The shots
struok on every side of them, being aimed
with greet precision, sod they were soon oov
ered with dost thrown over them by the Hying
balls. Finally, a shell thrown by the rifled
oannon battery struck in the oeotre of tho
group, exploded and k:lled five men of those
wbo were bearing tbe dying Colonel. The bat
tery oontioued to play on them until they were
out of range, bat they escaped without furth
er serious oasualities.
Lieutenant Elliott says that the shots whioh
struck near them were not the ehauoe shots of
a general engagement, but were aimed at them
specially—they were discovered by the field
glasses of the rebels and then the guns were
aimed direotly at them, and playod on tbeui
till they were oat of range—and with what
murderous effect has been stated.
There wae no possibility of mistaking tbe
nature of this group, or their humane errand.
The rebels aaw a number of men bearing from
the fiold a wounded officer, and instead of
withuldiug tbeir fire, invariably the praetioe
of a civilized foe, they scientifically took the
exact range of the retreating group, and
brought a whole battery to bear on them, kill
ing nearly halt of them before they had suc
ceeded io placing their dying Colonel in a plaoe
of safety.
Colonel Wood, of the Fourteenth New York
Regiment (Brooklyn,) being wounded, was
placed in an atnbuianoe, and WAS being carried
off tbe field. Tbe atnbuianoe WAS fired at por
sistently by a battery of rifled oannon. A
projectile from one of these guns at last took
off the top of tbe ambniance, passed on and
killed three men of tbo Rhode Island Battery,
and dismounted their gun. The fire was kept
up so unremittingly, tbat the men in eharge
of tbe ambulance were forced to leave it. In
this case also tbe ambulauos WAS made a special
target, and wae fired at until it waa probably
destroyed.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Chambers,
now commanding (he New York Twewtj-eightb
Volunteers, tbe Colonel being wounded and in
the infirmary, tells tbe following story.
Lient. Colonel Chambers, waa in tbe thick of
tbe fight, and while ha himself was hastening
for reinforoements, aaw near the brook (Bull
Ron) a rebel deliberately bayonet one of our
wouoded men, who was lying near tbe bank of
the stream. Even in tbe exigency of tbe mo
ment Colonel. Chambers wheeled bia horse, rode
ap to tbe rebel and shot him dead.
Surgeeo Barnes of the New Yoik Twenty
eighth Volunteers was in the fight ail through,
and oaiue out of it in bis sbirt sleeves, having
lost coat, aasb, watch, and all bia surgical in
struments, having been charged on by the Blaok
Horse Cavalry and compelled to leave tbe
field, being driven from under a tree where he
had established his temporary quarters, and
where he was attending to the wounds of about
twenty-five injured men, part of whom were
Secessionists.
Sut goon Barnes weot up to the battle field
in tbe rear of tbe attakiog column, and as soon
as our men began to fall, be took a position
with his Assistants under a tree, in a little ra
vine. The wounded men were brought to bim,
and be took off his green sash and hung it on
tbe tree to signify that the plaoe was noder the
obarge of a surgeon. The injured men were
brought in rapidly, and in fifteen annates he
had under his charge nearly thirty. As fast
as possible he attended to their hurts, and in
a short time had been compelled to perform a
number of oapital operation!. He amputated
foar legs, three arms, a hand and a foot, and
attended to a number of minor injuries. By
this time the enemy had discovered tbe plaoe,
and the natnre of the business of the teen in
charge, aud began to pour iu musket balls and
projectiles from rifled oannon. The plaoe be
came unsafe for the wounded men, and it was
seen to be necessary to remove them. The
Sargeon's Assistants and be bad beoome sepa
rated from him, and he had no one to send
for ambnlsnees and was obliged to leave tbe
wounded men and go himself.
It wss no easy matter to proeure ambulant
oea enough, and it was probably thirty minutes
before tbe Surgeon returood with the necessa
ry assistance. When be returned he found
tbat every ooe of these wounded men bad been
bayoneted, or sabrod, and was dead. Tbey
were literally out to pieoes.
Sum ap these facts. There were thirty
men all dangerously;hart—they had all been
oared for by the Surgeon—they were lying on
the grass iu agonies of pain and thirst, with
bandaged stumps of limbs, resting on tbe lit
tle hammock*—with their severed legs and
arms scattered about—and, if more could be ;
needed to show the natnre of the plaoe, tbe
Surgeon's green cash was flying as a flag in the 1
tree, and tbe Surgeon's instruments were ly- j
ing in sight, and yet these thirty helpless men
were there and then deliberately butchered.
The Surgeon gathered up hi* instruments
aud Started to retire to tbe rear, again to re
sume bis duties. He was discovered by tbe
enemy, and, although the boxes of instruments
onder bis arms designated beyond dispute his
rank and offioe, the infantry and u fall battery
of rifled oannon played on bim till be was oat
of their reach—tie was compelled to drop his
instruments and retreat aa best he could.
Golonel Sloenm, of the New York Second
Regiment, was wounded by a grspetbot through
the tbigb. The Surgeon went to bis assistance,
found bim, and attempted to dress his wound;
but the rifle oannon eomtneuoed playing on
(hem~
retreated, four men bearing the Colonel. In
a short time a halt was made, and again tbe
rifle cannon of tbe enemy played on them and
drove them away. All this time the Colonel
was bleeding his life away. From six several
positions wns Col. Sloenm removed before his
wound could be properly dressed, although a
turniquet bad at first been applied. At last
they took shelter ia the Stone Church 'Sudley
Church,) which had been occupied as a hospit
al. This ohurch was soon shelled by tbe ene
my. Colonel Slocuro wss, by order of tbe
surgeon, removed to the outside of tbe ohuroh
behind, for supposed greater safety. It was
sooo found that tbe continual bursting of the
•hells made it more dangerous outside than
within, and tbe Colonel was again taken in*
side the walls. His wounds were dressed, sod
he was, as sooo as possible, removed from the
oburoh to Fairfax, and tbeoce to WasbiDgtoo,
where he is now rapidly recovering.
The shelling, and ultimate burning of this
ohuroh, is asserted by a cloud of witnesses.
Lieutenant Colonel Elliott, of tbe Seveoty
ninth (Highlanders), N. Y., saw tbe rebels
shelling the building while the hospital flags
were flying. He states that the hospital was
made a speoial target/or to know ita oharacter,
and that tbe attempt by them to destroy it, and
slaughter our wounded men, was followed up
with tbe inoiit prosiatent perseverance.
Tho snrgrou of the Seventy-first New York
regiment Militia was in the hospital, and saw
the shelling, and the attempts of the rebels (or
it* utter destruction.
Lieutenant James Wilson of Company G.
New York Second Militia, bad charge of the
wounded ma of his regiment, whom he escort
ed to tbe bonpital, (Sudley Choroh) and plac
ed them in oare of the surgeon, he himself
remaining to reader assistance. In a short
time tbe Blaok Horse Cavalry charged down
to the chnrob, firing in through the windows
with their revolvers at the wounded raeu as
they lay on tbe floors, and at the surgeons in
attendance. A number of men attempted to
escape throng; the doors, and were sabred as
they came cut.
With Lieutenant Wilson was a young man
: uaiued M'Gook, wbo is a son of Judge M'Uook,
of New York. Wilson and M'Cook ran out
of the building to escape, when they were met
by the Black Horse Cavalry. M'Cook was
shot through the spine, dead, and Wilson was
taken prisoner. Wilson afterwards escaped;
one of the two men who had bim in charge
being shut by our men, and be himself shot the
other, who was a uaptaiu of the Black Horse
Cavalry.
Some members of the New Yoik Seventy,
first discovered a Lieuteuact-Coional of an
Alabama Regiment wounded and laying on
tbe ground. He threw up bis bands and beg
ged tor bis life, to which response was made,
"We did noteoms bere lo fight wounded men."
They took bim to tbe hospital, (Sudley Church)
where he wan cared for by our Surgeons. He
said, his wounds having been dressed, "Boys,
1 give yon my word and honor that not a man
in this hospital shall be injured while 1 have a
breath of life."
It is said by some that tbe rebels removed
| their own wounded from this bispital—if they
i did not do sp,tben this Alabama Colonel was
roasted aiiva with oar men when the Secession
army afterward burned tbe building.
Some members of tba Seventy-first also
found a wounded Georgian, wbem they eared
for, and took to one of our surgeons. After
his wounds were dressed, be said, "This is
more than we would have done for yon." He
added, "For God's sake, get oat of this ; you
are fighting 100,000 men." This man was so
impressed with the kindness of our men that
he gave to one of the Seventy-first his pistol
as a keep-sake.
Color Sergeant Cherles Kent, of the New
York Fire Zouaves, says be saw the death
of Captain Downey, of Company D, Fire
Zouaves, a member of Thirty-four Engine
Company. Ho states tbat Downey was over
powered by a superior force; tbat be threw
down his sword and tossed bis arms over his
bead to show that bo was unarmed, and as if
begging for mercy bat that he was instantly
transfixed by a jseore of bayonets. Downey
bad led his oompany in a gallant charge up to
a battery, and the last words he k known to
have said were these to his men: "Boys re
member New York is looking at yon."
Sergeant S. G- Goodwin, of Company H,
Fire Zouaves, member of Engine 30, saw one
of our men tying on bis book near bis borse ;
tbe man was severely wounded, if not already
dead. One of the enemy rushed up to bim,
and thrico pieroed him through with his bayo*
net,
Tho same man aaw a rebel strike at one of
our wounded mao with a sabre—tbe blow mis
sed the man's head, but out off bis baud. One
of the Fire Zouaves, who saw the oowardly
aet, instantly shot the rebel dead.
A member of the New York Second says he
saw one of oar men struck by the fragment of
a bursting shell and knocked down. Two
Seeessionists rode op to bim, and fioding tbat,
though momentarily stunned, the man waa bat
slightly hurt, one of them rolled the man over,
•nd the other deliberately ent bii throat with
ins sabre.
Other instauoes of the rebel manner of
dealing with our wounded man I could cite,
but the atorica I have told I think will es*
tablish beyond question the truth of the fol
lowing couclusiou :
Ist. That as this slaughter of our wounded
was not tbe work of a singlo oompany, or reg
iment of tbe enemy, but was going on in all
parts of the field at the Barne time. It was done
in obedieooo to aa oiler from rebel headquar
ters.
2d. That, if this is the policy of the enemy,
it is feared that our own men will retaliate in
kind, for their officers will never be able to
restrain them in another aotion.
Every statement in this communication
about tbe treatment of oar wounded men by
tbe enemy, was taken by me from the lips of
tbe officers, whose names are herein mention*
ed, and who themselves saw the occurrences.
Not a line is hearsay evidenoe.
dftmrationnl.
EDITED BY C. W. GREENE.
Q2T"AH communications for this department may
be addressed to tbe Editor, at Bedford, Bedford
county, Pa
Why do we Fail?— No. 1.
As many of oar teaohers fail to meet with
success io conducting their schools, an inquiry
ioto the causes productive of suoh a result,
may suggest soma primary remedies whioh will
prevent, in a measure, the further iprrad of tbe
malady. There is no business, nor profession
in whioh thore are so many inefficient and in
competent persons engaged as in teaching;
consequently, thore is a greater proportion of
failures in this, than in any other department
of labor.
As tbe subject is too broad and too impor
tant to be considered fairly within tbe limits of
one ordinaryjarticle, ws propose to examine each
of tbe oaaaes at some length in this and rub
sequent numbers. Tbe primary cause is iu
general: THE LACK OF APPRECIATION OP THE
WORK IN WHIOH WE ENOAOE.
Tbe majority of the parents have taken too
little interest in the instruction of their child
ren, and tbe opinion prevails among them, tbat
any one who has tbe requisite knowledge of
Arithmetic, Grammar and Geography, is com
petent to teaob. This opinion has become so
generally diffused, that those who contemplate
teaching are influenced by the popular senti
ment, and take no pains to prepsre themselves,
save io tbe branches of study ordinarily pursu
ed in the schools. They engage ic it as they
would iu any ordinary mechanical business
(except, perhaps, that they do not devote as
much time to preparation) aDd have no other
enda in view than the employment of their time
and the pay to be obtained. A teacher Actua
ted by no higher motive, oannot expect a full
measure of suecese. It is impossible to mould
and fashion tbe hamao mind, with the same
ease that you can the heated iron, or the soft
and pliable wood. There are more opposing
forces to overoome; a great variety of dispo
sitions to oomprebeod ; and a greater responsi
■ibiltty to consider in tbe oorreet performance
of the work. If tbe iren be bent in tbe wrong
direction, it may be remodallod without any
trouble, and it retains ita last shape as well as
the first; but an impression once made upon
the mind ia fixed, and although it may be vari
ed, it oannot bo effaced.
Again tbe popular sentiment to wbieh we
have referred, indirectly leads, or rather allows
the teacher to suppose, tbat, when the six
boors which tbo direotors require bim to teach,
are passed, his day's work is dona and there is
no need for further labor. This engenders a
habit of ltzinoss whioh is entirely incompatible
with the teacher's profession, and it not only
operates direotly to his personal disadvantage;
but aa be instructs by example as well aa by
praeept, it has a detrimental influence on tbe
prosperity of his sohool. There is often too
mnoh cause for tbe sneering remark, so freqnnt
ly beard : "He is too lssy to do anything bat
keep Boheol," and every teaoherowes it to him
self as well as to his profusion, to so eondnet
himself as to give no reason for any suoh com
plaint. A man who is too lazy, or too iooom*
pent, is tbe last one we should employ in the
school room.
This lack of appreciation on the part of tba
instrootor, oauaea bim to ignore and neglect
professional reading and tbe proscontion of his
studies, as he feels self sufficient enough to
perform bis work without such helps, and it
takes too mnoh time and tbonght, since the ob
ject to be attained is of so little importune#.—-
His whole aim is to give satisfaction to his em
plo yets,at as little coat as possible to himself;
■nd he feels satisfied with his own acquire
ments if he but gaia their approbation, no
matter bow inferior tbey may be. No man
can ever become a perfect teacher, because be
oanjnevcr acquire all that mas bt\learned ; but
his ability to teach will be ioorsased according
as bis atoek of knowledge is augmented. A
man who is eonfioed to the text book for every
illustration oannot bo considered a good teaob
er, for a scholar of an ordinarily comprehen
sive mind, oan understand that as well as he;
whereas, he who oan draw his illustration from
nature, and knows the principles involved in
what he attempts to teaob, will awaken an in*
terest in the pupil, whose mind,— naturally
imitative,—becomes scoastomed to independent
VOL. 34, NO. 33.
I thought, the one great object to be deeired in
the education oi the child.
Let the teaeber but eompreheod the ca
pacity, and the wants of the untaught mind,
and the natural adaptation of cortatn force* te
•apply theee wants; or in other word*, let him
be fnlly informed in the theory of teaohing,
and, at the tame time let him realise the great
responsibility be assumes, when be attempts
the work of moulding minds, then be is pre.
pared to oommence his work, and all obstaoles
will be easily removed from the path as his own
and others' experience become known to Li in.
Having returned to Bedford, the Edueatiou-.
al Department, which has been suspended
dnriog oar absence will reoeive due attention,
when the space is not required for other mat
tsr.
Dr. Russell's Comments upon tlie Battle,
Capt. Dolllvsr, of this oity, who was near
the contending hosts from an early boar on
the morning of the late battle ontil its oioae,
says that a person unacquainted with military
movements coold only make out vast columns
of smoke, and bear ioeessint peals of heavy
artillery, and the whistling of ballets. During
several boars of the fight he was in company
with Dr. Rassell, who was moanted on a fine
horse, and who explained to him some of the
movements as tbey progressed.
The Union troops, be said, were too impetu
ous; tbey rosbed forward with reoklets valor,
instead of steadily gaining ground, and hold
ing every inch as tbey gained it. Dr. Rue
sell rode np to the flanks of the various divi
sions engaged, and saw tbs distance tbey were
apart and the effect of the firing, which was
decidedly in favor of the Union troops. Dr.
Rassell secmes to have anticipated some disas
ter in the rear, from a casual remark to the
effect that the battle was WOD, "if no mishap
overtakes the rear of the Federal forces.''—
As be explained to Capt. Dolliver some of the
movements, be loaned him bis glass to see fcr
himself. He said that oar troops held tbeii
own like veterans when opposed by superior
numbers, bat they lacked steadiness in falling
back.
Dr, Rassel saw'the rebel cavalry u they
emerged from the woods, and remarked to
Captaia Dolliver that they nutnberod about
a thousand, and Capt. D , himself says that
he thinks that Dr. Rusael was about right
iu bis estimate. A very small force of even
infantry properly posted, could have driven
them off the field. But the force was not
at baod. They charged among the teamsters,
aud created a panic, which was ntore destrncs
tive*tban swords.
Capt. Dolliver remarked to Dr. Russell that
be thought that the troops from the front, as
they came up, would stop the retroat at acer
tain point; bat the Doctor said, "no, tbey are
all more or less infected, it is painfnl—very
psinfnl, so we must look out to make good our
own retreat."
Captain Dolliver and Russell retreated in
oompeny until all danger from the vietorioas
rebels were past.
Capt. Dolliver says that the men suffered
much from want of water, and! that they had
been inspired with the hopo of Gen. Butler
bearing down upon one flank and Gen. Pat*
terron upon the other, while they drove in the
centre. They fought ooafidently, thinking
that viotory was within their grasp, and knew
not the disaster in the rear until too late to re
trieve it.— Boston Traveller.
How MT. CRITTENDEN DECEIVED THE
NEWS. —Wbon he rose on Monday morning
be asked, "Well, what further newt!" He
bad gone to bed under the. delusion that tbe
Federal army bad triumphed. "We are rout
ed—uttealy routed," wea the reply to his
question. The old man started back in as.
tonishment, and when tbe faets were brought
before him he went back, eat down, and put
ting bis head upon his hands burst into
tears. 1 saw him that oight, aud there is no
longer room for donbt ou which sich Mr. Crit
tenden's feelings are enlisted.—Cor. of JV.F.
Post.
Tbe Washington correspondent of tbe Phil
adelphia AorM American says that Geo. Soott
command* heartily tbe wisdom and foresight of
Go?. Curtin, who it must be admitted, deserves
rnuoh praise for having got ready for service
so valuable an addition to tbe grand army of
the Union now in the field. The activity, seaf
and devotion to the eause neoestary to the
speedy and thorough organisation of fifteen
full regiments ean only be appreciated by
tboee who have been engaged in tbe work.
Election of Field Officers. —Tbe oleotiou of
officers of the First Artillery Reserve Regi
ment, of Pennsylvania, was held at Harriabnrg
on Thursday. Tbe following offioers were elec
ted. Co/one/, Captain Richard H Rush, of
Philadelphia; Lieut. Colonel , Captain Charlea
T. Campbell, of Chsmbersburg; Senior Major,
Captain A. K. Lewis, of York; Junior Major,
Captain H- T. Paofottb, of Pittsburg.
1 1
It is established that the Scoosaionista h'd
91,000 men within their lines as Bell's Rao,
on the morning of tbe battle, and that Jeff.
Davis in person brought up 17,900 more from
Richmond, who reached them about noon.
They had therefote fully three times as amy
as Gen. MoPoweU, and four timet as many as
were brought into notion on our side:
The ladies of Mayaviile, Kentucky recently
presented a pair of pantaloons' to Miss Laos
Stone in due form. Miss Lucy accepted tbe
pants, but says she would have done ao wit!
, a rnuoh better will if tbey only had a man in
side of tbeur.