New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-03
Waiting and watching
From m, Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON, June 80, 1901.
it is now possible to speak with consioeiaOi'
satisfaction Of the position, the organlza"o",
and the progress in dicipne of the greater par
of the army which guards the apProa'"
Washington. For too long time lno
weakness and indecison were our Pi"f"
strength. Their inactivity, however mas eneoled
ma with perfect leisure, to arrange and iort'iy
our defenses. in such manner that some points
which were left most exposed from week 10
week inviting attack and offering the Rebels
dozen chapces Of success to one OF failure, are
finally rendered as secure as they ever need be.
Othars Z, be sure are st II left i'll defended, but
We now have reason ~ believe that the enemy
contemplate no attack, and there Will be little
difficulty in completing the precautions against
an event all danger of which seems to have
passed away. Alexandria is already proof against
assault. After having occupied it seven weeks,
most of the tune with Inefficient force, we nave
at length thorough garrison oil hVe H.
fautry regiments, O small but admirable troop
of cavalry, and battery of artillery.
What is still more important, We have
powerful earth.work, in position when
commands tie surrounding country, and the town
ITSELF There is nothing more cheering tban 70
observe IN what excellent order for defense every
thing is arranged at about the time when all e1-
pectation of assault is given over. Ihe line
from Al xandria to Arlington, although perhaps
n Gttle weakened by the removal of the COnecti-
cut aud Ohio troops TO the most perllous position
that tie Delehborng country afforded them, Is
It'll well maintained. Arlington HIghts have
their defensive works, e1cellenty constructed and
well garrscned. Tue Long Bridge iorthcatlons
are even more elaborate, if not more effective.
Above tue city, the river is not so carefully
guarded. TIE Chain Bridge, above Georgetown,
is protected by men and muskets, and in q mi
mute way, by breastworks and batteries. Olber
aud stronger detenses Will doubtless be raised,
provided the war continues long enough. After
We shall have made ourselves completely lnpreg-
nable, at every point it is still possible that we
may receive Beaurr CARDS long threatened Visit,
but not altogether probable.
The satisfaction which the condition of our Vir-
gin a army excites arises therefore, from the ar
der which it exhibits in preparing for Its otlen-
ave- rather than its defensive, operations. There
are indications which, if not direct aud positive,
are still sufficient 10 warrant warlike expecta-
tloUs of tae fuGllment of those active Intentions
of which we have all heard much, but seen lit
tie. Commanders Of brigades gather their forces,
aud become more and more mysterious every
day. Colonies of regiments ordaln frequent and
rigorous drills. Tue absence Of undue haste
shows, ut the same time, that nothing so sudden
as TO take our breath away is likely 10 happen,
ana that our preparations are to be in no wise
hurried At the present rate of progress, 1t
uoud appear that about three weeks would
bring us to the period when something s really
TO be done.
Let alone officers, need not say how rejoioed
the men are at each new prospect OF an advance
that opens before them. If not, as general
rule, capable of seeing as far into milestone
us their superiors, they have at least discovered
that very little opportunity for distinction awaits
them while they hold their present positions.
They have taken it into their convictions that
the enemy mean no fight, as affairs stand now,
and since they themselves do mean fight, and
very serious fight, they are eager TO be at 1t as
sooa as possible. The less delay, the better for
their iuclnatobs. But since there must be a
certain delay, they have the good sense to wish
TO improve the advantages which it affords them.
They enter upon drill with more eHtbusiasm than
they displayed mouth ago. The New-York
Zouaves perhaps the least Of all disposed to
discipline under ordinary circumstances, perform
their daily saber bayonet exercise with an unc-
ton that promises 10 make them speedy masters
Of that formidable accomplishment All along
the line there is an equal glow of anticipation,
which finds expression in this prompt participa-
tion in the essential preparations of vigorous
campaign. A little while, very few weeks,
and. unless the signs should be Unexpectedly re-
versed, they WIN have passed beyond mere
preparation.