Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-09-27
From Washington.

y
ing on the Potomac the day after a rain,
has given me good idea of Maryland
and Virginia 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 a condition that army wagons can
not be driven over them, and as for
artillery, it would swamp in going a
dozen rods. After the frosts and thaws
begin to work upon the Virginia soil,
which will be about the first of Deem
Der, guns can scarcely be worked upon
earthworks. All the advance which is
to be made in Virginia by our armies
will have 70 be made before that time.
In Western Virginia the campaign will
close very much earlier than in the east
ern part of that State, as the winter
comes on earlier in November there
1t is reported that Floyd, Wise and Lee
intend to abandon the mountains in the
latter part Of next month, unless they
succeed before then in driving Rosen-
Grams 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 toward the extirpation of the
invaders of the sacred soil of Virginia.
The uniform testimony of the prisoners
and deserters from the enemys camp is,
that the rebel leaders are fully impressed
with the idea that they must strike their
blow Immediately or fall back on the
defensive.
The authorities here are constantly in
receipt of letters from wealthy and dis
tinguished men in the South, who assure
them that as soon as the United States
troops appear in sufficient force to give
them adequate protection, they will break
ground and rise in support Of the Union
At present they have no arms, no private
intercourse with each other, no nucleus.
The reign Of terror Is supreme, and they
are afraid even of assassination. This
is the tenor of numerous letters from
Louisiana, Mississippi Texas, North
Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. The
materials for a decided reaction are
ready, and real majority Of the people
Of the South are signing for the return
Of the happy days of the republic.
General Scott can never more take
the field lie cannot mount a horse, he
can scarcely ride in a carriage, bu, biz
mind is clear and vigorous, and his opin-
ions are eagerly sought for. Still in his
ashes glow their wonted fires.
Mr.. Kennedy, Census Superintendent
who has recently visited Virginia, ex-
presses the opinion that :he enemy force
in front of Washington does not exceed
one hundred thousand men.
Work has been recommended here
upon the new Treasury building and the
dome of the capitol.
The rebels are strengthing their works
in the rear Of Alexandria. This I'M
doubtedly indicates either a purpose of
occupying a defensive position or a dis
position to guard the Orange and Alex
andria Railroad which brings their
supplies, while they attack the Arlington
ridge. In either event it would be nee
essary for them to guard their line Of
railway communication with Manassas
and Richmond Hence they are throw
ing up pretty strong Notifications back Of
Alexandria,
The correspondent of the Baltimore
SIM writes as below:
The Federal government is now
much stronger than it has been at any
time since the commencement of the
present administration. The national
loan is a success beyond expectations
The number of the troops called for will
doubtless he obtained thouUh recruiting
is said to have slackened in New York
and New England. Seamen can be OBJ
tanned in any numbers. There is no
longer any clamor for a change in the
Cabinet
We are no wiser this week than we
were last in regard TO the designs of the
Confederate army, whose advanced posts
are within sight of the Capitol. They
have apparently made those dispositions
with 4 view to an expected attack from
the Federal army, and with an intention
10 follow up another victory by occupy
ng this city, or in case of defeat, to re-
reat either TO the mountains OF to the
Rappahannock.'
The CAVALRY REGMEHT.-Mr. F.
A. Plat, recruiting in this place, has be-
ween fifty and sixty good men enlisted
tho L. I. TNropEl lin