The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-11-09
Preparations and Conditions OF the Rebel
Army Of the Potomac,

perhaps portion Of Asboth's, will be here by
tomorrow evening. e.-
Preparations and Conditions OF the Rebel
Army Of the Potomac.
I have learned the following facts to day, from
Southern sources, in regard to the recent action
near Leesburg Neither the occurrence of the
action Itself, nor its results, has made any change
in the plans of Gen. Johnston> The forces un-
der the command Of that officer are now extend
ed over largerextent Of territory than former
ly, but they are thoroughly organized into corps
da,mee, and so arranged in divisions that Gen.
Johnston, by means Of military telegraph and
swift couriers, can control the movement of the
whole mass or any of its parts. While the ex.
tremity Of the right wing is stationed as far
down as Fredericksburg, for the support of the
batteries on the Potomac, the regiments on the
extreme left are posted at Leesburg, fifty miles
distant. The entire rebel force, which cannot
be less than 150,O0 strong, is posted between
these two points. The centre is at Manassas
Junction, and the headquarters of Gen. Smith
are ut Aldie. Gen. Johnston's design is to draw
the Union army towards Centreville or Bull
Run, or to induce them to cross at Edwards's
Ferry, at either Of which two places he expects
to be able to defeat them. He will make no attack
upon Washington or upon the Union army, but
will act strictly upon the defensive until attacked.
The vast preparations for the great naval ex-
pedition to sail from Fortress Monroe we're per-
fectly well known at Richmond. Not only the
names of all the vessels are known there, but
also the number Of guns and troops on board Of
each. 1t was not believed there that the expe.
ditiOn was 10 sail up the Potomac; but in view
of the possibility OF such thing, Gen. Johnston
was directed two weeks ago to hasten the COM
pletion Of the line of river batteries, to see that
they were properly mounted with cannon of
suitable range and calibre, and abundantly sup
piled with ammunition, and to support them in
the rear by an adequate military force. In ac-
cord with these instructions the batteries on
the Potomac we're completed. Additional guns
were brought up from Norfolk and Richmond,
furnaces for heating red hot shot were construct
ed at the batteries at Aqua Greek and Shipping
Point, large quantity Of 1l-inch shells were
sent to all the batteries in which they can be
used, and $4,000 troops we're posted short dis
tance back from the line of batteries, extending
from the mouth of the Occoquan river to the ei.
bow of the Potomac, east Of Fredericksburg -
After all these preparations had been made,
Gen. Johnston, accompanied by Gen. Reaure.
gard and the stats Of both officers, made the
tour OF all the batteries, and saw that every.
thing was in readiness. The report of General
Johnston, made to Gen. Cooper, at Richmond
after this visit, expressed the confident belief
| that he will be able to hold those batteries, and
| to destroy with them any fotilla, however large
| that may be sent sgsinst them. 1t is said too
! that number of freships have been provided
and are now lying concealed in Aqua creek
Quantico Creek and Powell River. They are
merely old hulss, containing barrels of turpen
| t.ne, tar, pitch, rosin and other combustibles.
| The design in providing them is to tow them
out in the river on the approach of hostile
Anat onA vhn fha, - n
| to them and permit them to drift among the
| Union vessels. Il is we'll enough to be advised
of this eontriyance, in order to guard against it.
1 It is the belief of JEFF. Davis and of Generals
Johnston and Beauregard, that the Union army
cannot remain much longer inactive; that they
must strike blow somewhere on the rebel lines
| and that, at whatever point they strike, the re
| bells will be able to defeat them by concentra
ting larger force, and by superiority in artil
lery. The Union army, if they made the advance
| by the way of Leesburg, must cross Goose Greek
Particular attention, therefore, has been paid
| by Gen. Johnston to the defence of this creek
It is somewhat broader and deeper than Bu
Run, but its banks nre considerably higher
Between its mouth and Aldie, fifteen mice, it il
crossed by no less than six bridges, including
the railroad bridge. These bridges are all stand
ing now; but guards are stationed at each one
Win VTueIs W oeetrOy tlem ~ case the UNION
army crosses at Edwardss Ferry and Harrison.
Island in sufficient force to take Leesburg. The
plans Of the rebels do not include retaining DOS
session Of that place If it Is attacked With
strong fcrcc, say $4,000 troops The orders
given to Gen. Evans. when placed In charge O.
Leesburg, we're to induce the Union army ande,
Gen. Banks 70 GROSS, BY feigning to evacuate ths
place; u creased BY a superior force, to with
draw his whole command to the right bank o.
Goose Greek, where Gen. Smith would support
him, with the whole Of the rebel left wing. II
howtves Gen. Stone alone should cross, with no,
over 10000 troops, Gen. Evans was ordered u
attack and drive him back, and was promised
/ whatever reinforcements might be necessary.-
The event shows that he obsyed the latter order
II, however, Gen Stone had had foresight enough
to have provided . pontoon bridge, and has
crossed With bus whole diyision, the result o
/ Noudays engagement would have been very dif
fsrent Cor. N. 7. Herald.