The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-08-14
PLsGS OF THE REBELS.

b. exercising i.tle care, and | may also say,
deceit, ! have come into possession of the out
lines Of some OF the designs of the Rebels, and
Of the means at their command with which they
hope 70 execute them. Il will bot, of course. be
expected that shonld designate even remotely
the scources OF this information. II is enough
to say that i; s direct and authentic.
The information thus acquitted enables me TO
say that Beauregar9 and Johnson had no idea of
the extent Of the defeat of our troops on that
disastrous Sunday. They were no: surprised at
the retreat Of our forces, because they knew the
superiority O. their numbers and artillery over
those engaged on our side tGt they were sur,
prised that, having an army Of $4,000 troops
here We should only have sent ~, 900 of them
into tie action. They attributed the retreat of
the regiments engaged, without being effectively
supported, 10 the supposed fac, that we were re-
treating, as they had often DONE in order to
draw them into an auibuscade. They supposed
that beside the 10000 troops engaged, we had
ct, 900 more behind our entertainments and in
Washington; aud that the reason why these
troops were not drawn out to cover the retreat;
OF the columns engaged was that they were be-
ing kept fresh AID vigorous, in order that the
Rebe. troops after being wearieG by a hot
pursuit of ten or twelve miles. might be surroun-
ded by them and cut TO pieces. l am assured
that Beauregard had no correct information as TO
the real condition of Washington on the Monday
and Tuesday following the battle and that, if he
had really known it, he woud nave risked all
Oh the issue Of q bold attempt TO seize the Fede.
raj Capital.
The defeat OF our troops in this engagement
was not unexpected TO the Rebel chiefs But
when, by the "Wednesday following, they became
aware Of the fun results of the battle, special
meeting of the Rebel Cabinet (IIeaven save the
mark y Mas held, which was attended by Beaure.
gard, Lee and several other officers of high rank
At this meeting, the plan previously agreed up.
on for the conduct OF the campaign on their part
underwent several important notifications; and
as the general result of the meeting, a bolder and
more aggressive mode OF warfare was determined
on, than had hitherto been contemplated. Up
to this time | am positive in saving an attack on
Washington had formed no part of their plans.
1t had been agreed, after a full considera.
ton of the whole subject, TO make the war,
on their part, strictly defensive one. But now
! it was determined to abandon this course, and
TO assume the offensive until three great objects
shall have been achieved. They are:
Fjrs.--The reoccupation of Hampton, New.
port News, and OF all the territory now held by
General Butler outside the walls of Fortress
Monroe.
!Seeond.-The repossession of the line of post:
on the Upper Potomac, from Wiamsport ant
Martinbsurg down to the Falls of the Potomac
including Harper's Ferry, and all the fords and
| ferries Oh the stream.
| Ihird.-The capture of the Federal Capital
to be accomplished either by crossing the Poto
mac above the city and making an attack on III,
right bank of the river; or by simultaneou
attack in both directions.
| Not only are these plans fully resolved on, bu
the force intended to be employed are slread,
raised, and the officers to be in command are al
ready assigned TO their respective posts. Tn,
troops, however, are not all on the ground
Statements were laid before the meeting shown;
that there were now in the field, available TO
the execution Of these plans, 200,O00 men.-
Ger. Phil. inquirer.