Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-22

Correspondence of New York Express
The interior Of Nryinia-7Ae Three Routes to be
Pursued, and the difficulties Of the Way.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1861.
10 show the extent and intensity of the secession
feeling in Virginia, since the PRONUNCIATION Of the
Presidents proclamation of the 10th Of April it is
only necessary to state that the sons and grandsons
of Chief Justice Marshall, all the prominent men,
bers of the Washington family, the descendants of
Mr.. Jefferson, thu Lees, the Graysons, the Cabes,
the Brookes the Masons, the Fairfaxes the Lewises
and innumerable others who bear the names and ire
hert the blood of the grea: Virgnians of the Revo
luton are now ranged upon the side of the Southern
Confederacy.
However greatly we may lament that such is the
fact it would be absurd to deny or attempt to con-
ceal it. In the great emergency before US, we must
deal with facts however disagreeable or unwelcome,
| and not with fancies. i.
What then is likely to be the issue of the threat
ened invasion Of Virginia by the U. S. Government?
| To be ehectual at all, this invasion must be made
| from three points-viz: from Alexandra via Gull
pepper and Greenville to Richmond overland. From
the Chesapeake via the New River to the same city,
and from Harper's Ferry or the Point of Rock, up
the Valley Of Virginia to Staunton Charlottesville
and Lynchburg; the force thus employed to coop
crate, rs circumstances may require with the other
division Of the grand army.
| 10 Oppose SUCH luVdulHS lOICeS OeIl Lee, aS l
have the best for believing will place troops
at West Point on the York river, ~ miles below
Richmond, with large reserves between West Point
and that city. A large force will also contest the
entrance of the State at Harpers Ferry the Point
of Rocks, as the may be, and another at Alex
andria Fredericksburg, also, is being fortified to pre-
venea surprise in that quarter. Between all these
points and Richmond will be posted large bodies Of
reserves prepared for any emergency that may arise
| hot should tho IT g cuccon6 in pnfprinU
the State they will be compelled to encounter at
various points the route large bodies of troops
strongly posted in positions capable of being main
tanned for many days against large invading army.
From Harpers Ferry to Richmond, via Staunton, is
about $50 miles-thc route lying through narrow
valley for the first half of the way. 1t was from
this valley that Morgan derived large portion Of
his famous riemen in the revolution and its county
of Augusta" Old Federal Augusta us still cele-
brated for the proficiency Of her citizens in this in
portant branch of service. The counties Of Rock
ingham, Shenandoah and Page, are inhabited by .
sturdy of farmers, descendants of Gernan EN-.
igrants from Pennsylvania. Intellectually they arc
not very brilliant specimens of human nature, but
when driven to the wall they will fight like tur
tuyvel" They are all men of substance, the owners
of superb farms the fac smie of those in Lancaster
county, Pal remarkable for their economy and
thrift, and their answering and uncompromisng
Democracy" That division of the U. S. army
which marches on Richmond by the valley route,
will require General Of consummate ability. Mans
field would be competent for the position, but can.
not well be spared from headquarters here in con-
sequence Of the declining health of Gen. Scott
Mansfield is from Connecticut, and graduated at
West Point IN the Engineers, in 1922. He is about
60 years DID, and one of the most valuable officers Of
the army. .ss
The invasion Of Virginia by the way of Alexan
dria will also require general Of superior ability,
as he will probably be compelled to encounter al
some point on the route to Richmond Gen. Lee him
SELF or at all events that dashng artillery officer
SO we'll known to the frequenters Of Newport, John
Bankhcad Magruder.
The defence Of the York River will probably b
entrusted to Gen. Beauregard, who will enter upon
the duty con amors. In the opinion Of Major An
derson, Beauregard is soldier of infinite resources
and equal to almost any emergency.
Now, it is really to be inferred from Gen. Scott.
well known caution that be would not dream Of ma
king movement upon Richmond, by the thre'
routes above described with less than 30 troops
10000 for the Valley route, 20 600 for the Alexan
dria route and at least 10, 900 for York River. Al
additional force Of at least 5000 men would be re
quired to hold Brigadier General Ruggles Gate o
Massachusetts, in check at Fredericksburg-ma
king 55 600 in ALL To keep 5000 in the field an
10000 more for the defence OF Washington, or
total Of 65 900, would require the enlistment Of .
least 10000 mentor out Of every Regiment 20
are usually on the sick list For interesting detail
on this point the curious reader is referred to Git
bons delightful Memoir of his own life for Gibbo
was soldier as we'll Is historian and by his at
tual experience # camp life among the British Vol
unteers in the county Of Kent derived much valu
able information, which he turned to good accoun
in his Decline and Fall Of the Roman Empire
Let us suppose that the $4,000 men are actual
mustered in, armed and equipped snd that they q
vance on Richmond, and after Ut least three pitche
battles to say nothing of minor skirmishes succee
in reaching it-what theni 1t will be time enoug
to answer this question on the 9TH Of Julvs s,f1
Major Robert s. Garrett late Of the 9th IniaatsJ
is the Adiutant General Of the Virginia army b
t was m aide-ie-camp Of Taylor At Bnena Vista On
afterwards commandant Of the corps 81 Cadets