The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-04
PROSPECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN
THE POSITION OF MARYLAND.
VEMENTs OF THE ENEMY

| Evening
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10.
A long ride into the country bordering
on the Potomac the day after a rain. has
given me good idea of Maryland and Vir.
GINA roads in the fall and winter. 1t is
safe to say that it will be utterly impossible
to take an army down to Richmond over
land, save by railroad, after November.
The roads will be in such condition that
army wagons cannot be driven over them,
and as for artillery, it would swamp in 60
ing dozen rods. After the frosts and
thaws begin their work upon the Virginia
soil, which will be about the first of Decem-
Der, guns can scarcely be worked upon earth.
works. All the advance which is to be
made in Virginia by our armies will have
to be made before that time. In Western
Virginia the campaign will close very much
earlier than IN the eastern part of the state,
as the winter comes on early in November
there. 1t is reported that Floyd, W Use and
Lee intend to abandon the mountains in the
latter part OF next month, unless they sue.
coed before then in driving Rosecrans out
of Western Virginia. The rebel leaders
there. as well as in this vicinity, are fully
aware that they must do at once what they
are going to do this year towards the extir-
patton of the invaders of the sacred soil
of Virginia. The uniform testimony OF the
prisoners and deserters from the enemy's
camp is, that the rebel eaders are fully
impressed with the idea that they must
strike their blow immediately, or tall back
OH the defensive.
POSITION OF MARYLAND.
The secessiOnsts of Baltimore are tired
out and hearsck with waiting for Beaure.
gard and Johnston to cross the Potomac,
and take possession of Maryland. The
course pursued by the government towards
the Maryland rebels is fully justified by the
results. So long as Unonisln alone was in
impossible to get even Union men to speak
out their real sentiments with boldness. A
citizen could be traitor with safety, and
by taking this course, insure himself against
disaster if the rebels were eventually to gain
military possession of the State.
The immediate cause for the late arrests
Of members of the legislature and others,
was the discovery OF plot to pass seces-
! sion ordinance. General Johnston of the
rebel army was fully aware of the intended
! plot, and had promised to, cross over to
| Frederick as soon as he was automatically
| Informed OF its secret passage. This was
prominent feature of the arrangement-the
passage Of the ordinance was to be kept
secret until the rebel troops in Virginia
were ready to throw themselves between the
legislative traitors and the vengeance of the
federal government. The whole plot Was
squelched out by the arrests which have
been made.
1t is understood that the prisoners will
remain in durance vile till new legislature
is elected, when those will be released
against whom there is 20 positive and direct
evidence of treason.
ARRIVAL. OF TROOPS.
Troops are arriving here very rapidly at
present 1t is expected that the present
week will witness the increase of the army
at this point by thirty thousand. At least
| that plumber have crossed over into Vir-
| ginia within three days, and the new troops
are needed to take their places on this side
of the river. There are earthworks this
side the Potomac to guard and important
roads to watch. This work fresh troops
can perform, getting into good condition as
soldiers by tine daily drill and the routine
of camp life.
MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY.
The rebels are Strengthening their works
10 the rear of Alexandria. This undoubt-
eddy indicates either apurpose of occupying
defensive position or disposition to
guard the Orange and Alexandra Railroad,
which brings their supplies, while they at
tack the Arlington ridge. In either event
it would be necessary for them to guard
their line of railway communication with
Manassas and Richmond. Hence they are
throwing up pretty strong Notifications
back OF Alexandria. Tomorrow, the
twentieth of September, is the day fixed by
many of the rebe's for their grand demon
stration upon Washington or Maryland.
The prisoners recently taken from the rebel
army opposite all say that the rebel leaders
promised them that On the twentieth of the
month something great would be done
some astounding movement would be made.
The government is evidently acting upon
this and similar information and will remain
on the defensive for short time longer.