The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-01 00:00:00

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LONDON, THURSDAY, Auarsr 1.

TO OUB READERS.

SPORTING

A late editiou of the Erpreas is published every
evening during the racing season, containing the
results of the day's races.

Tar plan of campaign against the Southern
Confederates continues to be unfolded. General
SiArtr, the Commander-in-Chief, does not take the
field, but remains at Washington, whence he
directs the movements of the several columns. It
is probable that some of those writers who have
hitherto displayed a somewhat scanty 'mewled',
of the merits of the American Commander-in.
Chief will soon be furnished with facts which will
enable them, if so disposed, to correct their judg-
ment. It is surely singular that Englishmen, who
were impatient under the criticisms made by
foreigners upon their favourite officers, should ex-
pect to find the Americans more patient or more
tolerant. If the disparaging tons adopted by some
persons in this country towards the American offi-
cers had been adopted by French writers towards
British officers in similar circumstances, it
is difficult to over-estimate the irritation
which such language would have caused.
It should be observed that since the beginning of
the rebellion neither President Liecous nor
General Sorer has laid himself open to any sub-
stantial criticism. It has, indeed, been said that
the struggle should never have begun, but that the
North should, without further debate, have laid
down their arms and sued for peace. But setting
aside this course as obviously impracticable, even
if it would have been as wise as it would mani-
festly have been unwise, no suggestion has been
made by which the North could have arrayed their
forces with more expedition ; nor has any plan of
campaign been propounded which excels that of
General Sever. The only matter which admits of
memo doubt is the employment of commanding
officers who have not received a military education.
Thome who have visited West Point acknowledge
that no institution exists which turns out more
efficient officers. It is well known that in the
United States the army is extremely small, and
therefore very many highly educated officers find
it difficult to obtain employment. The conse-
quence is that it is by no means uncommon for
officers, after taking their degree at college and
serving in the army for some years, to return and
to betake themselves to other pursuits. Some of
the most distinguished officers in the Mexican war
were men who had been engaged in mercantile
pursuits, after haring passed through West Point;
and General M'CteLtsnr, who commands the Federal
troops in Virginia, was Vice-President of the Illi-
nois Railway. Unfortunately, so long as
the South was dominant at Washing-
ton, the officers employed by the Federal
Government were chiefly from the South. The
most important commands by land and sea were in
their hands. Such a man as WCtsuusw, for in-
stance, being a Northern man, found it impossible
to obtain employment. The moseqamies has been
that the Northern officers are generally wanting in
experience, and in practical respects inferior to
those from the South. It may be thought, per
that such inexperienced soldiers may enjoy
little superiority over energetic civilians ; and that
General BA.WIF" if assisted by a good staff, may,
with his power of arrangement and staunch loyalty,
do the duties of an officer aa efficiently as a mili-
tary student who understands the theory of war,
but hail had no experience in the field. It must be
admitted, however, that if the American Govern-
ment is wise it will leave General Bcorr--hiniself
• scientific soldier—the fullest discretion to em-
ploy whatever officer seems to him best. In the
meantime it appears that General Bsetus, ones
Governor of Massachusetts, and afterwards Vice-
President of a Western Railway, has superseded
General PATTERSON.

According to the latest intelligence, which
comes down to the 20th July, the Federal armies
were still operating in three great columns. The
largest, which consists of some 60,000 (although
the exact numbsee cannot be stated), under
General MaeriowllJ. or MACDONALD, has advanced
about 30 miles westward of Alexandria, on
the Potomac, to a plans near Mammas Junction,
where a battle seemed to be imminent.
The force of the Confederates is stated
to amount to 60,000 men, and as Manassas
Junction is a point at which many roads from the
north meet, and the two main roads to Richmond
branch off, it is by no means improbable that if
the Confederates are sufficiently strong they will
risk a battle. There is no reason why they should
not by this time have concentrated all their
available troops, nor is there any ground for be-
hoving that they will at any future time be able
to collect a larger army. On the other hand, it
is probable that the Federal officers must attack
them with only one of their columns, and that if
the Federalists are suffered to advance they will
be strengthened by the junction of the column
advancing due south under General BANKS
on Mnrtinaburg and Harper's Ferry. Hut
if any battle is delivered in the neigh-
bourhood of Manassas Junction, the result
must be of the utmost importance to both
sides. If General Scoff and his lieutenant,
Macvnwrt.r., succeed, it seems by no means im-
probable that the road to Richmond will be opened
without further resistance, and the rebellion in
Eastern Virginia will be crushed. If, on the other
band, these Federal officers are defeated, they will
probably be compelled to retreat to the banks of