Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-06-14
THE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA.

Events seems to be rapidly fastening to de.
cisive results in Virginia. ana all eyes arc di-
.reoted to That State the probable battle field
ofEthe opposing forces at very early day
Large bodies Of troops l,ave been brought into
the field. md drawn up in hostile array with.
IN few miles of each other and it is not to
be supposed that these troops will be with
drawn withou, conflict The fight must. ulti,s
mately come, bit it remains Is be seoh whether
Davis or Scott will take the initiative Of often
sive operations
The plnn Of Scott seems to be a cautious one,
and to be the same which has already been ex-
empli6cd in the OF Maryland. lie de-
sires to secure every step as he advances and
by concentrating large bodies of troop. upon
few strong points to make resistance ineffec-'
tual. To him time is all.important. to cnnhle
him to discipline his raw volunteers. to collect
sufficient numbers, aud to move the great mass.
es in concert 80 as to reach the military CEN
tres at the right moment
The plan Of Scotts campaign has been intli.
Gated by various Northern journals. and rccen.
events sc EN- 10 show the policy whirl, he is
steadily pursuing-embracing wide field Of
operation. and looking to n concentration Of
troops at Richmond. a large force unt,r Gen.
eral McClelland hos been concentrated at
Grafton in Western Firginis and this force
seems to be designed to attack uarpers Ferry
in the rear and cit off the lue of its commu.
nications. The post is impregnablc to an as.
fault. but may be reduced BY turning it's posi-
tion and cutting off its supplies. Alnrge
force has been concentrated 1T Chambers
burg, the design of which seems to be, to CO.
operate " ith these last. BY making an attack
upon Hnrpers Ferry ffo,n the Maryland side
and in case Of success the two forces would
march upon our forces at Manassas Junction,
and in conjunction with their troops at Alex
andria and Washington endeavor to cut off
our sorces Then follows the rapid concentre
ton Of their troops upon Richmond. and iu
their opinion the easy capture of that city and
the subjugaton Of Virginia.
To effect that object they have no u less than
100000 available troops. and opposed to them
will encounter near zoo. 600 Southern forces,
fighting upon their own soil and in defence of
their dearest rights About the result of such
contest thefe can be no doubt:
But it is not to be supposed that President
Davis will suffer Scott to carry out hs plan Of
operations according to tile prescribed pro-
gramme. Every consideration seems to call for
early and active measures on our part. The
reasons are we'll set forth in the following par.
agraphs from the Mercury:
1t is impossible for us to believe that this
course of inactivity can long prevail III the
Confederate nfmies. They must fight within
few days or abandon OF surrender Harpcrs
Ferry. From three points the United States
troops arc approaching, to isolate and capture
this important post Shall our armies stand
inactive on the defensive, GLd allow the CON-
bination TO take place. by which this post sh all
fall 7 Will they stand still, whilst Western Vir- |
ginia is overrun By an United States army. and
the traitors in that section of the States be |
armed and organized, and its loyal citizens be |
dispersedf There are, at this moment. troops |
enough in Virginia from the other Southern
States, without the aid of single Virginia. to
drive out every invader from her soil. Every
railroad train adds to their numbers. They |
are not to sweat iaseamp. but to fight. they
require only to be Drought together and to be
led on against the enemy. Throughout the
whole South there is but one feeling Of indigna-
lion Mt the occupation Of the soil of Virginia
by the United States troops Let them be |
driven out speedily. Is the voice of every man.
Duty to Virginia, whom the Confederacy is
bound to protect. as we'll as the dignity of the
require this policy.
We are perfectly aware of the possibilities
Of war: We know that every great General
is made so by accomplishing impossibilities. If
battles are to be fought only when sure of sue.
cess. how harmless would be war! But war is
not harmless; and nothing is more uncertain
than battles. when resting on numbers. The
spirit and the courage Of soldiers dictate the
Fsre Of battles. Retreats and inactivity are of.
len fatal 10 this spirit in the bravest. troops
whilst activity and energy may render them
nvincible. TO be we'll armed. and to be able
to m"neuvre with skill on. the field. arc not
The great essentials Of preparatios The I'M.
will-the spirit above fear--con-
stitute alone that rrepard.;on,7 by which the.
|ibei ties Of people can be preserved, and it's
10 vaders be destroyed. Let people Ue armed
with these. and they must 10 vittoriaas On
The. eontresY. lot tham be demoraIised by mac
tiviiy--familiarixe with rstreats-made call:
BUS to the tales Of suffering and horror, which
comes to them of their afflicted country, and
hey are prepared to fly or surrender. 60 any
invading Zoe. All virtues are s,reng gti,ened by
being exercised. and destroyed BY disuse. Cour.
age isno exception 70 the rule.
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