Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-22


The reports from Washington arc indefinite
and unsatisfactory as to the movements Of boti ,
the Union and Confederate forces. There is 10
doubt but there arc large numbers of Virginia
State and Southern troops, but their destination
and designs are unknown. The Union forces in
the vicinity of Washington ere estimated at about
3l,O09, and such is the disposition Of them that
10000 can be thrown across the Potomac, in
case Of an approach of the rebel troops, but az
gressive operations will not be commenced in
Virginia until fun preparations are made.to Sc
cure success. The New York T'ribuneos Satur-
day has the following items in reference to the
reported movements Of the Southern troops in
the vicinity of Washington, and the condition of
the opposing forces at and in the nc:ghborhocd
Of Fort PicIens:
The reported occupatsn Of the Maryland side
of the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, by Virginia
troops is not vet authenticated. If the rebels
are really in possession of the highs on the
north bank of the river, it viii be difficult tc dis
lodge them. The position is an unusually strong
one.
At the place called the Point of Rocks on the
Potomac, ten miles from Frederick, there Is a
force of about 400 Nirginians, who stop and ex
road. al these movements indicate design to
attack Washington in the rear.
The Confederate Government has determined
to DO something on which they can base demand
/ for foreign recognition Two plans are proposed
one to raise the blockade another, to seize
and hold Washington. it is all nonsense to be
! leve they do not intend the latter; we know they
| do, and know they will not succeed.
/ The fort has ample garrison of 100 men,
| and has been so strengthened that il may be con
sidered impregnabe to any force that the rebels
can bring against it. Gen Bragg has about 600
men at Pensacola, but they are poorly equipped,
and are suffering from want OF supplies. Mean
| time Discussions have already broken out among
/ them The fidelity of Mr.. Mallory, formerly
United States Senator GroulsElefisls, 10 'iue'
toned, and he is in danger from the mo5-while
Major Chase, who was IN command of thu rebels
at Pensacola before Bragg came there, has been
compelled Is fee from the place.
The Tribune under the head of an article,
Let the citizen soldiery save the Republic
thus criticises What it deems the declarations OF
the National Administration, and demands Wig
orous and efficient prosecution of hOstilities:
AT the risk of being accused of hostility to the
Administration Ey the venal crew that seek to
commend themselves to favor and jobs by IA
perservcable zeal in its defense, We once more
plead for tie prompt and Hearty acceptance by tae
ts01erRmeHf Of e5eTy isu. Efficient regiment thof
asks Lis privilege Of striking u 6i0T f0r tie URoR.
| We utterly dstust the expedeacy OF attempt
/ ing at this time TO make Il large addition 70 the
/ line of the regular army. Increase the staff
much As you Please. but Do not absorb all the
best material for officers in the country in regi-
mcilts which il will take precious time 10 fill up
when those officers are pressingly wanted to
drill and lead tie volunteers who passion
ately plead for permission to ght for and save
/ the Union. This State alone will send fifty
thousand volunteers into the field forthwith II
the Government Will oil. take them, and fifty
thousand more il il win only say il wants tn m ;
and every ether free State Is ready to DO as
/ well in proportion If not better. Is 1t wise to
reject efficient men who want to 90 as volunteers
not for three months, but fox the warm the
hope Of driving men into the resu' u army which
| Comparatively no one wants TO enterI The
American Tc1pc want 20 make this Fight them
se!ves--want 10 put forth all their strength and
finish it up, and thea re.urn to their farms and
| their shops and We insist that their instinct is
wiser than anyb0dy's military traditions Here
IS almost every State calling out regiments that
the Government hesi,ates 10 accept; here ere cur
| Irish, German, British, Hungarian and other lei
low citizens, pleading by thousands for chance
20 strike blow for the Union and It's starry flag;
and re insist that it Is bad policy and false econ
| Omy TO refuse q single well iiiicl regiment till
TIE DdCk o. SUCCESSFUL slail lie NfOkeu i<.iiJ TIE
cost of outfit and preparation If YOU viii SLY (f
YOU will that $50 per man slltl arm, equip, and
put enlargement in the field ready for services but
! let every stout heart and strong ann have its
coveted opportunity, and let the war be finished
at the earliest moment. The country can better
afford 10 keep half a million men in the field a
year than one hundred thousand for three years.
And were there two hundred thousand men at
Washington ready to enter Virginia to day. pre-
pared to march on Richmond and Raleigh forth
with the struggle would be virtually over and any
great elusion Of blood precluGed
Mind that we blame no one for what has been
and fully comprehend that the formation of a
great, effective army out of raw leyies is a work
of time. We urge no advance till all is ready,
and would have blow struck till il is certain to
tell. We only entrcat the Government TO leave
the question Of expanding the regnlag-army to a
calmer moment. accept all the volunteers that
are ready to see the thing out, arm, equii, and
drill them as rapidly MS may be. and let the pe)-
pie have the credit of putting down the jeff Davis
conspiracy. Only give them fair chance, and
they will deserve it,