Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-07-03

Correspondence OF the ". Y. Journal Of Commerce.
The object Of the war--Character of
the Presidents message--No Con.
Citation.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, June &C.
A rumor has prevailed that on Monday a Cab
met and a military consultation was held here
with view to determine-lst, the definite object
of the existing war; and 3D. the plan upon which
it should be conducted. As to the first point it
was settled some weeks ago, and is declared and
ayowed by the Administration and will be more
authoritatlvely set forth in the Presidents forth
coming message. The war is not to be shortened
until the object for which it was begun, shall be
accomplished, and that object, as has twice been
declared in public speeches by the Secretary of
War, is to remove the causes of the war. In
other words, the idea is, that the war shall be
prosecuted till the causes that produced it shall
be removed. Every one may Judge as to these
causes. The Administration deem the chief
cause to be Southern secessionism, while some
others deem it to be Northern fanaticism Both
together will account for it.
As to the military conduct ofthe war; the plan
OF the summer campaign may have been resolved
upon, and it appears to be to do nothing except to
hold on upon the lines which the Government has
established, and the places they still possess.
That any advance is to made upon Winchester,
Manassas, Richmond or Norfolk, during the sum
mer heat, is not probable.
The reason why Gen. Patterson and Gen. Cad
walader did not enter Harper's Ferry upon the
evacuation of that place by Gen. Johnston, is
said to be suspicion that the place was mined
Besides, the Confederate force had retired but a
short distance, and was ready to attack the Fede
raj detachments in detail. The Confederates held
positions in the immediate vicinity, from which
they could hre "a train by electric wire. That
zen. Johnston had some strategic object in evac-
uating the place, other than that of going to Win
chester or Manassas, is quite certain. He has
been lying along the line of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad since the evacuation, with the in
tention, which he has executed, of DESTROYING
what remained within the limits of Virginia of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and its locomotives,
engines, &c.
There are no indications of any military move
ment on the other side of the Potomac Gen.
Beauregard appears to be engaged in completing
his defense on that side. But no one knows that
he may not with forty thousand men suddenly
cross the river above Georgetown. and appear
with formidable park of artillery on the
Georgetown or Washington Nights, where we
have less than thirty thousand men. But this
would not be worth his while, in a military point
of view.
The Presidents message does undoubtedly re-
commend the raising of an additional military
force, of quarter of million of men,
1t Is said that there is not a cOncilitory ex-
preston in the message. The rumor is that some
device or promise of peace at fir t held out,
but that this clause stricken out. in conse
quence of the information that the Convention of
Virginia, at Richmond, had in session passed an
ordinance of outlawry and confscation against
all citizens of the State who shall take seat in
the Federal Congress, OF, take any commission in
the United States army or navy.
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