Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-21
Special Correspondence Of the N. o. Picayune.l
The Southern Army Of the Potomac
Gen. BeauFeHard.
MANASSAS JUNcTIoN, VA,l
IulY 7th. 1861. (


10 defense to itself. The key to the whole |
position is precisely that point which General
Beauiegard chose for his center, aud which he
has fortified 30 strongly that, 10 the opinion Of
military men, 5000 men could there hold 90.
900 at bay.
The position, 10 fact, ia fortified, in part, by
nature herself. II is succession OF bills, near
ly equidstant from each other, in front OF
which is ravine so deep and so thlckly wooded
that 1t is impaasable only at two points, and
those through gorges which fifty men can de-
fend against whole army. 1t was at one of
these points that the Washington Artillery
were fret encamped, and though only half the
battalion was then there, and we had only one
company OF infantry to support US, we slept as
soundly under the protection of our guns as If
We had been in q fort of the amplest dimen-
sions.
OF the fortihcations superadded here by Gen.
Beauregsrd TO those Of nature, 1t is of course
not proper for me to speak. The general read
er, in fact, will have sufficiently precise idea
OF them by conceiVing line Of forts some
two miles In extent, zig gag in form, with en-
giles, ealients, bast0Ds, casemates, and every
thing that properly belongs to works of this
kind.
The strength and advantages of this position
at Manassas are very much increased BY the
fact that fourteen miles further on s position
of similar formation, while the country between
is admirably adapted to the subsistence aud en-.
trenchment of troops in numbers as large as
they can be easily man@uvered on the real
battle field. Water is good and abundant;
forage such as is everywhere found In the
rich farming districts OF Virginia, ard the com.
munioation with all parts of the country easy.
Here, overlooking an extensive plain, wat
| Grad hv mOuntain atraan which nj m a %
fnd their way to the Potomac, and divided into
verdant fields of wheat aud oats and corn, pas
ture and meadow, are the headquarters oil the
advanced forces Of the Potomac. They are
South Carolinians, Louisianiaps, Alabamians,
Missssippisne and Virginians, for the most
part, the first two, sngularly enough, being in
front, and that they will keep it, their friends
at home may rest assured. Never have seen
n finer body Of men-men who were more ODE.
dent to discipline or breathed more self.sacri-
fcing patriotism. . ,-'.'. -....
As might be expected from the skill with
which he has chosen his position and the sys-
TEN with which he encamps and moves his men,
Gen. Beeuregard ia very popular here. | doubt
if Napoleon himself had more the undivided
confidence Of his army. By nature, as alec
from wise policy, he Is very retioent. Not an
individual here knnws his plans or q single
move of regiment before it ia made, sna tseo
only the colonel and bis men know where il
goes. There Is not man here who can give
anything like a satisfactory answer how many
men he has or where his exact lines are. Fol-
the distance of fourteen miles around you zee
tents everywhere, and from them you can make
rough estimate of his men; but how many
more are encamped on the by-roads and in the
forests, none can tell. The newcomer, from
what he sees st the Hrst glance, puts down tbs
number at about 80 900 men; those who have
been here longest, estimate his force at DO, ,0U0
90, 900, and some even at $4,000 strong. And
there Is the same discrepancy as to the quantity
of bis artillery. So close does the General keep
his affairs to himself, his left hand hardly knows
what bis right hand doeth, aud go jealous Ia he
of this prerogative Of q commanding officer
that verify believe 1t he suspected his coat oi
any acquaintance with the plans revolving
within him, he would cast 1t from him.
The Generals headquarters Is a little farm
house, about fifteen by twenty, fronting on one
of the roads that lead to Alexandra. The
ground floor is divided Into two rooms. The
II front one is filled with desks, at which clerks
sit writing, or engaged In business of varied
character. The back one appears to be useC
for O storeroom and kitchen. Above, the same
division continues, and the front room Is thu
Generals apartment. IL is about fifteen feeI
J long by ten wide, and hung with maps of th,
} State and the country around. 10 the center |,
a plain pine table, on which lie, neatly foldet
up, what the visitors would naturally take to b,
plans, specifications, surveys, geometrical draw
ings, etc., and by their side military reports
Everything has the air of nestness, GOODNESS AM
/, mathematical calculation. OF course, there il
5 nothing In the room but what pertains Il
the Office, aud to most eyes IL would appea
/ L. k,,k .6ael leo- Il, =.
with so much taste that the general impression
10 by no means uDpleasing
The General 10 in his room the greater par
of the day, apparently occupied with his plan
and reports. Then hour after hour he sits alon
; by his neat little pine table, maps, plans an
specifications before him, and large open win
dows behind and around him, at fret sight th
Q cold, calculating, unsympathizlpg mathemati
clan. Every now and then an aid enters wit
report or message, which is delivered i
military style, deliberately examined in silence
!, the corresponding order promptly written out o
delivered In as few words as possible, and ou
= mathematical iceberg is left alone again.
When visitor drops in, however, at leisur
moment, the formality Of the officer readil
gives way to that easy Interchange OF civilitie
which oharaoterizes our people at home. bu
nothing more. Even at the table, when th
General is daily surrounded by the most distiD
euished gentlemen of the country, there ap
pears to be q distance which suppose is natu
raj to his position, but which Is rarely foun
elsewhere.
The leading characteristic OF Gen. Beaurt
CARDS mind is clearness of perception. Super
added to this 10 q strictly mathematical educs
j tlon. This you see In every word and looh
: even In the expression of his face. Sines, o.
sines, and taDgents stick out everywhere.
person he is slender, but compaclly built. an
extremely neat. Add to this a precision
/, manner, slightly modified by the ease whit
D charaoterizes the well bred mau Of the worl
p and you have correct idea OF the man who:
word Ia law and gospel throughout one of th
largest, most intelligent aud best appointe
9 armies ever assembled on the American CON
nent. 5g g.sy.sg 81 ole0 rtT fi9j
Iu his personal staff the General has been p
cullarly fortunate. They are principally fro
D, South Carolina, the same he had with him
nd the siege of Fort Sumter, oil of them accoI
" plished, discreet gentlemen, Of the most plea
. Ing manners. Among them | have been hap
u to meet Col. Preston, go long resident and
well known In Louisiana, whose genial socie
must be happy relief TO the severe labors
the day. -n rr IN.
I The Generals mess Is very much In keepil
With his character, end ample enough for N
lpoleon himeelf. ills served on q loDg pine
n bic, setin an open piazza Of the farmbouI
g and all bis friends are Hospitality welcomed
I itthree times q day. The General sits near