Smyrna times., 1861-10-10
McClellan's Campaign Commencing.

McClellan's Campaig Commencing.
Under this caption the special correspondent
OF the World thus writes:
There are many indications tha, the opening
Of our offensive campaign is close at hand.
We are reaching the end o. the beginning.
DurinG two months OF ndomitabe preparation
the lack Of actual encounter has been patiently
borne. The unprecedented spectacle has been
witnessed oftwo great armies, with only bat
tle-feld's breadth between them, quietly en-
treuching themselves until they could learn the
art and practice of war; After all, ;he refusa,
to close the issue lay with us; we, and not
the enemy, had everything to learn and gain
by delay.
Yes, our own cline, our own cold fortunately
cleaning stars, are soon to herald and make re-
slslless the onset of The snowcradled, storm en-
during Horse battalons. " We have had our
last retreat; we have seen our last defeat"
Heuceforth, led and disc plined an army
should be, we maks no movement that is not
turtherance to the loyal cause.
have intimated that the Rebel withdrawal
is designed to lure Us into an engagement.
Either this, or to concentrate their forces at
some other point, Beauregard and Johnston
uniting for a desperate attack by column on
our weakest lines. If the former, the enemy
may be committing feto de Sc. For we are
now strong enough to meet HIM IN the open
field or on his own ground. After careful re.
view of our own forces and study of all we
know Of his, | make this assertion confidently.
The public mind will not have much longer TO
wait ; the second division of the National loan
ought to be taken under different auspices
frem those Of the first.
In concluding a report Of the disa ster at
Bull Run -" Before we can free our way
through a country 50 well adap pied TO strategic
| defence we must oppose new modes OF
! subdulng a navel and thus far successful method
| OF wariaTe," referring to the uneven and wood
! ed face OF th Virginia hill region, aud the de-
files OF which the Rebels took advantage to
point strong resislarces against thin portions
Of our attacking front. In short, the Napo-
leonic method of marching a whole army in
compact, single column, cannot succ essfully
obtain in this remarkable terrltory-defended
as 1t is. Mcclellan knows this. A great
many people know facts well enough to utter
them, bot ignore them in their practice. Nc
Cellan profits by his knowledge 10 planning hi:
advances.
To be more precise. During the last few
days wonderful activity has prevailed in i'm.
portant quarters. Generals Scott and McClel
an have been coseted with the President and
Mr.. Cameron for hours together the plans OF
the chieflans are approved by the statesmen
and the navy is to lend its invaluable CO. opera
tion. Our fall campaign will be marked, a il
appears to meas il would appear to any close
observer-hy two grand movements-lhe mi
nor and the major. First, the passage of the
Upper Potomac in force, and dispossesson o.
Johnston's column, simultaneously with the
capture Of the batteries on the lower Potomac
heights, by our iOtilla covering heavy land
force. These accomplished, we shall hold th'
, Virginia shores from Freestone Point 10 Lees
burg. Second, the march SoutEw Of sve
100000 men, supported by weight Of artl
lery prcportonate TO modern ideas; enough
r men, under Gen Blenker, being left behind tC
e guard our then complete and impregnable en-
1 trenchments | do not say that when the sec
ond and more important movement occurs
will be over the Mcdowell route TO and VII
Manassas, &c. tits not impossible, when ou
entertainments are finished. and the prelimna
ry action predicted above, has established on
: possession of the Potomac lines, that, with tn
/. exception Of BIenker's reserve, the entire corp
d'drmee will countermarch and concentrate o.
this side Of the river for transit at some uppe
or lower point, and rapid march across tn
enemy's flank.