The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-05-24
Tho War;

A Northern gentleman who has been
stopping at Richmond, and succeeded with
much difficulty in leaving the State, says
that the strength Of the Southern forces is
much underestimate in the North and by
the Gen. Government. He Is confident that
thu Southern and State forces now in camp
in Virginia, with those ready to join them
tho moment the fighting commences num-
Der full fifty thousand, well armed. Tho
yircinians know little Of drill and discipline
but are able-bodied and brave and very ell
fectiye with the muskct. The moro South
ern troops are better trained, and Thoroughly
equipped and armed. The railroads have
all been connected so that troops in the dif-
ferent encampmcnts can be concentrated ut
short notice, and trains Of freight and gravel
cars have been fitted up and are stationed ut
various points ready to DO moved wherever
needed. All the mechanics and laborers Of
eastern Virginia are now closely employed
in war preparations: almost every man and
boy belongs to some military organization
and the women are quito as industriously
employed as those Of the North in what they
consider tho patriotic cause. The Alabama
troops now at Harper's Ferry came well
armed and equipped they are thorough
ly drilled, and soldier.like in their appear
ance as any New York regiment. The
South Carolina Troops at Richmond arc
physically inferior to to tho other Southern
soldiers, but arc full OF spirit and anxious
for the fight. They particularly desire to
meet Massachusetts, in the field. The South
ern people know that the Northern troops
will outnumber them, but they believe that
Southern courage, and the Righteousness OF
their cause, will triumph over the North
whose soldiers are cowardly merccnaries'
who fight for money and not for principle.
A very prevalent idea is that ono Southern
soldier is equal to fvo Yankees" and an
other, that their enemies will fight as long
as they can use Minnie rifles, but that they
will not meet them in hand.to-hand com.
bat, and that charge will put them to
flight. They have an abiding faith in Jea.
Davis, and in Gen. Lee, whom they consider
superior to Gen. Scott.
A gentleman from Virginia, in whose ac-
count the New York Times puts entire con-
fdcnce, states that the negroes in that state
comprehend very well the position OF affairs
and are deeply interested in the war. A
prevalent opinion among them is that this
war is iu6lment Of the prophecy recorded
in the eleventh chapter Of Daniel. They
have their revolutionary and patriotic songs,
which they sing in private. They hold re-
ligious meetings, the burthcn of their pray
crs being that the Lord will help the North
and hasten the day of their emancipation.
A few days ago was travelling in the in
terror of Virginia. Night overlook me in
the neighborhood Of u farm house, where |
was entertained until the next day. That
night CHANGED to hear the evening devo-
tions of the slaves in one Of their huts. i
was an unobserved spectator. 1heard them
pray for the success Of the North, and one
old woman wept for joy when told that the
Northern armies were soon coming to set
them free, "Oh, good massa Jesus said
said she. lot the time DO short During
this time they heard the clang OF arms in
their masters house, for two of his son:
were members of troop of horse, ready tc
start in tho morning for Richmond, and
were practising with broadswords. To their
masters, the slaves pretend entire ignorance
of the whole movement, but to white men
in whom they confdo, they reveal their
hopes, fears, desires, and plans. They have
no arms, and could not use them ifthey had,
but they have other means of destruction
more potent and fearful, which no power
can prevent their using. When the time
comes for them to act, they will know no
love stronger than the love OF liberty"
The Journal of Commerce has oil along
pretended that Washington was in no dan
ger of an attack from the rebels. But now
that everybody else considers 1t safe its
Washington correspondent labors earnestly
to make it appear that the city is exposed
to formidable assault from both sides Of the
river, and that 1t is in no proper sense de-
Tended. He says that after all the talk and
and preparation not spade full of dirt has
been moved in the way Of certifying tho
heights around Washington. and that de-
fcn,e of tho city by troops in tho city itself
is an impossibility. lilo thinks the authori-
ties at Washington have no right conception
of the power Of their enemy or their deter
mination. They think otherwise, however,
and tho troops are now mostly In camp at
convenient distances around the city. The
Come ,ticut regiments are encamped in q
ceder grove about two miles from the city
on an eminencc commanding view of the
entire city and the river approach. To the
west on another hill is the Rhode Island
camp, and still further west the New Jersey
troops. The New York Fireman Zouaves
are on the South side OF the city, New York
siIty.ninth at Georgetown, and tho New
York seventh at Meridian Hill, on the North.
The city is completely surrounded and pro-
tectcd by troops on the land side.
y In q speech at Roxbury, Mass, on
the 9Th inst, Hon. Edward Everett said:
For fty.six out of the seyenty.two
years, the Presidents of the United States
have been either Southern men or Northern