Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-22
wORCE s TER:
,,psnAY, AUGUST ee. 1904.

N
For some days past there has been preva.
lent here and in other states, considerable
anxiety in regard TO the safety of Washing
tim. No special reason for it is apparent.
Nothing new has occurred to create or JUS
tiCy alarm. The present uneasiness is one
of those epidemics that from time to time
visit the nerves of whole communities and
commonwealth, and mysteriousiy cheat men
of ouietness and pleasant dreams. lmmedi'
ately after the battle OF Bull Run it might
have been reasonable to cherish such distress
ing apprehensions but at the present time
there is no good reason for them,
1t is doubtless true that the rebels are max
ing the greatest military effort in their power,
having done their utmost 10 enlist and impress
men. They have now at command greater
military force than will again be possible to
them during the present war. The largest
part of this force is now concentrated IN Viz
pinia, opposite Washington. Within week
or fen days their army at Manassas junction
has been reinforced by troops from Yorktown,
Norfolk. Richmond, and also from South Car
olina and Georgia; and there are many indica
tions that the leaders of this force are about to
attempt something. This is demanded by the
necessities of their position, as well as by the
secession public sentiment behind them. They
cannot remain longer inactive at Manassas,
where supplies are becoming scarce, and they
cannot afford to retire without striking blow
at some point. Therefore it is believed that
they will make battle somewhere on the 20
tomac
But there is no aggressive attempt possible
to this rebel army in which it can possibly
succeed Should they march directly on
Washington, they would be terribly broken
up and repulsed by the tremendous batteries
that have been constructed to defend our posi-
ton on the Virginia side of the Potomac
No such attack can succeed, even IT they
should come with every regiment they have
on foot throughout the country. They seem
to understand this, and the present signs indi
cate that they will try to cross the Potomac
either above or below Washington. If below,
they must encounter the fleet of war vessels
on the Potomac, as well as the troops that will
be on hand to prevent their crossing. Ii
above to the difficulties of The river, will be
added combined attack from Banks and
Mcclellan Under such circumstances, mel.
Their men nor artillery will find it very easy
to cross over into Maryland, and they will
find the experience of such an effort very diff
ferent from that of fighting from batteries be
hind entertainments.
Our troops at Washington have never betor
been subjected to such thorough Organization
and discipline as at present. McClellan's IL
fuence is magical 1t has renewed the army
restored confidence, created enthusiasm, an
even the two or three regiments with whic
there has been some trouble, are yielding
his sway and catching the new spirit that hs
become prevalent around them We ma
safely rely on this army in the hands OF il
new commander, but it is not yet quite certai
that the rebels, by attempting to cross the Pc
tpOI .aiiIty see what 1t can do. Ih
present condition of this army. together will
the many serious difficulties in the way of any
forward movement the rebels may attempt
should prevent alarm, and induce the most
nervous among us to sleep at night without
dreaming bad dreams. The rebels can Meth
err take Washington, nor cross the Potomac.
The force we now have on the Potomac is
sufficient to battle either attempt; and before
the first of September reinforcements amount.
ing to more than 10000 men will be added to
this force.
But, while we Danish all foolish uneasness,
let us not overlook the necessity of putting
forth mighty effort to crush this unholy re-
bellion as soon as possible. The loyal states
have not been as thoroughly in earnest as the
case demands, while there has been no stint of
vehemence in the rebels, and no lack of thor
oughness in the depotic methods they have
used to compass their ends. The rising of the
north can be made SO strong and terrible as to
end this war before the next spring, and so it
should be made.