The Flight of the Rebel Congress

From the Richmond Examiner, April 23.

“If there be any modern so outrageously brave that he cannot admit of flight under any circumstances whatever, I say (but I whisper that softly without intention to give offence to any brave man in the nation) I say, or, rather, I whisper that he is an ignorant fellow, and hath never read Homer nor Virgil, nor knows he anything of Hector and Turnus; nay, that he is unacquainted with the history of some great men living, who, though brave as lions, aye, as tigers, have run away, the Lord knows how far, and the Lord knows why, to the surprise of their friends and the entertainment of their enemies.”

By such reasoning does the immortal Fielding justify the “falling back” of a favorite here and in searching a good plea for the dispersion of our Confederate – but not Roman – Senate, we can find none better. They, too, have been brave as lions, aye, as tigers; and alas! They, too, have run away, “the Lord knows why, to the surprise of their friends and the entertainment of their enemies.”

It would be amusing, if it were not sad, to read and hear their protests that the opinion they ran from “apprehension” was altogether an “outside idea” and their adjournment was due to the simple fact that Congress adjourned because Congress had ‘no more business to do,’ while their record shows that the tariff hung in [nediss], while one hundred and forty-nine military commissions lay unopened on the table, and while listening to a message from the President declaring that he retuned unsigned a number of bills the titles of which he had not the leisure to relate nor Congress the time to inquire.

Want of occupation certainly was not the reason of the scampering adjournment, and if “apprehension” had nothing on earth to do with it, as we are bound in politeness to believe, then the Lord knows why Congress is gone, and the Lord knows when Congress will come back to us.

We hope that all other persons in Richmond who intend to prefer flight to fight should they ever be in danger, will do what they do in that way like Congress – without “apprehension” of panic. If Richmond fails, it will not be a sudden stumble. There is not the least danger that their precious carcasses will be caught under a mashtrap. Abundant time for an adjournment will always be afforded by the operations of such officers as both parties have in the field. No large city, defended by extensive lines and several great armies, ever was or can be surprised. Richmond will always be open one side, and those who want to get out of it can do so at any time. It is hoped that here at least the Confederate armies will not bounce off after burning a steamboat or two and a bridge the moment they learn the enemy are in the neighborhood, without knowing how many there are, or whether they are not worse frightened than themselves.

Again we repeat, the falling of Richmond, if it takes place at all, will be a slow process, and we shall know all about it long before it comes to pass. Let no one, therefore, get out of breath before the race. If the Confederate government is worth a rush it will defend Richmond to the last, for the leaving of it, though it will give up to ruin many thousand of its citizens, will not be less fatal to the government itself. Nothing will remain for the heads of that government but speedy resignation to escape a load of execration and infamy such as would crush the greatest conqueror and despot that has ever ruled the world. They had better seek death on the field that will decide the fate of the capital than attempt to prolong a nomadic resistance at Montgomery. Though the people of the city and the country would lose terribly by the occupation of Richmond, the members of the government would suffer more than any other individuals, and, if they have a grain of common sense, they know it. Hence it may be safely predicted that they will defend this place with all the force they can command. We have no doubt but the arrangements of Mr. Randolph are efficient, and our armies are competent to meet the demand of the crisis. Soldiers and officer knew the stake and will play for it accordingly. Many a nation has owed its redemption to a decisive victory before the walls of its capital.

– Published in Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862