The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-07

forces:
Location. Commander. Est No. Men.
South side Potomac Gen. Mcdowell UsA 2l00
Wsshington &c Gen. n Mansfield do 1900
FoTtress Monroe Gen. ID Y Butler 800
Pennsylyania West Gen. W II klein, 1000
CINCINNATI N'n Va Gen. u Mcclellan iapV
Cairo &c Gen vi Prentlss epp
| baltimore 3c Gen, q Cadwallader 300
phiiadeInhIa Al Ien II Patterson 1900
ro,,l $500
The points ut which these $4,000 govern
ment troops are located, extend IRON Cairo
ON the Northwest to Fortress Monroe on the
Southeast, and include Southern Ohio, West
ern PENNSYLVANIA and Western Virginia (the
forces at these three points being directed
against Harper's Ferry), Baltimore, Phila-
delphia, Washington, and the lines now oc-
cupied by our troops on the Virginia shores
of the Potomac, Westward from Alexan-
dria.
In addition to these, not Less probably.
than hundred thousand men are organized
for the service Of the government all over the
North and West, in camps, barracks and in
the large cities, making total force of two
hundred thousand actually in the field, and
ready to move to any point where their SER
vices may be required. Within twenty.four
hours march OF Cairo, the most Western
end of the line, we are credibly informed,
there are no less than IS, 900 men in camp
ut different places--a force which appears
quite adequate TO render that point perfectly
safe from any attack by the seeded States
bordering on the Mississippi. In the Cen
tral and Eastern States there is no abatement
81 ,.l.ta,,, -, ,,l.nL H.. IL
the earliest days of the war excitement, when
the government appealed to the patriotism
Of the people to defend the national Capital,
and sustain the flag of the Republic, which
had been stricken down at Fort Sumter
Any amount OF men can be obtained which
Gen. Scott may require to carry out his plans
for subduing the instruction.
Our accounts of the Southern army OPP
posed to this immense force are necessarily
uncertain, accurate means of information
being cut of; but we think we do not un-
der-estimate the number when we put it
down at $4,000 now stationed at various
points in Virginia, and probably half as
many more available for service in other
parts OF the State.
The original programme Of the rebel lead
ers, il must be remembered, has been wholly
disarranged by the conduct of the govern
ment. Their expectation undoubtedly was
that when the Lincoln administration came
into Office its military power would be re-
stricted to the force OF the regular army at
the immediate disposal Of the Executive, and
that no addition to this force could be made
until constitutionally authorized by q special
TIra ..h.Ia LOT ipOr ha
constitution and the laws themselves, they
hoped to hold the administration strictly to
their observance; and this was their cardi-
nal error. They intended to make sudden
dash on Washington, and from that point to
dictate terms, possibly to issue q prOnunoia-
nicRto on the South American plan. They
no doubt imagined that, according to the
French style of revolution, rs the possession
of Paris means the possession of France, to
seize Washington was to hold the United
States (; but the administration, adopting the
American style, stock the responsibility" of
calling upon the patriotism Of the people for
volunteers to defend the country; and right
nobly have the people responded. To the
next Congress it must be left to justify and
indemnify Mr.. Lincoln for his course and
who can doubt that the justification will DO
complete?
And now, standing face to face as the two
armies are, an immediate battle is imminent,
Any hour may bring 1t forth and it may DO
a fierce aud bloody one.
1t is confidently stated by the newspaper
correspondents, that Gen. Scott intends to
make most vigorous onward movement rs
soon as his plans are completed, with view
20 occupy Richmond before the 4th of July
25 900 men will be pushed on into the inte-
rior of Virginia towards Blue Ridge; 10000
under Gen. Patterson will invade Virginia
from Pennsylvania 10000 under Gen.
Mcclellan. from Ohio, will cut their way
down to Winchester and Strdsburg. by the
turnpike road from Grafton, avoiding the
line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; and
Is 900 men under Gen. Butler, aided by a
naval force, will make their way up the
James river. A strong force will be collect
ed in Western Virginia in addition to Col.
Sherman's corps d'drnee, for the protection
of the Unionists there.
Should this plan be carried out. and the
rebels make successful stand at Rich
mond, the Boston Post truly says, cit is
obvious that Waterloo defeat of our forces
at that place, would not settle the thing in
favor of secession, while their own defeat, in
such contest, would be their death kncll.
The inexhaustble resources Of the Govern
ment, the whole treasure Of the loyal States,
the military ardor of our entire people, make
il impossible to say that such defeat Tim
probable us it is) would be anything more
than bugle note, calling out the entire re-
serve force of the Government, till our army
swells to million men,"
The Crisis Of the Union approaches with
rapid strides. On the result OF the next six
weeks hang destinies not recently crowded
into so short space.
On Friday, the batteries erected by the
rebels at the mouth Of Acquia Creek, the
terminus of the Richmond, fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad, about fifty.6ye miles
below Washington, on the Potomac, were
attacked by the steamers Thomas Freeborn
and the Anacosta. The Keystone state pas
sed them at noon, on her way to Washing
ton, and reported that the steamers were en-
gazing the batteries with success. Capt.
Dahlcren, the Commander at the navy yard,
Immediately telegraphcd the fact to the War
DEPARTMENT, and received instructions to
send two additional war vessels to the scene
of action at once. The engagement contin-
ued on Saturday. The intervening time was
well occupied by the rebels in repairing their
lower battery, which had received consider
able damage. The Pawnee and Freeborn re.
ceiyed few shots, but with no material
damage. They hauled of beyond the reach
of the enemies FIRE. 1t is not entirely known
how much damage was done to the rebel bat
terics and their defenders by the fire from
the steamers. On board the latter it docs
not appear from the report that any one was
hurt. Acquia Greek is the terminus OF the
Richmond and fredericksburg Railroad, and
is one of the doorways into Virgin ia.
A company Of the second U. 5. TROOPS,
cavalry, made brilliant dash into the viii