Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-05-21
YEIYyAsIoN OF VIRGINIA.

II correspondent OF Inc New Luck Ia press
gives the following in relation TO the inva-
sion of Virginia by the forces Of the United
States:-
what, then, is likely to be the issue ofthe
threatened invasion Of Virginia by the u. 5.
Government? TO be effectual at all, this in
vasion must be made from three points
viz, from Alexandria via CulPeper and
Greenville to Richmond, overland. From
the Chesapeake via the York River to the
same city. and from Harper's Ferry or the
Point Of Rocks, up the Valley Of Virginia,
to Staunton, Charlottesville and Lynchburg;
the force thus employed to cooperate, as cir
cumstances may require, with the other lnva-
sions of the grand armv.
To oppose such invading forces Gen. Lee,
| as | have the best reasons for believing, VIII
place troops at West Point on the York River,
81 miles below Richmond, with large reser-
YES between West Point and that city. A
large force will also contest the entrance OF
the State at Harper's Ferry or the Point OF
Rocks, Us the case may be, and another at
Alexandria Fredericksburg, also, is being
fortified, to prevent surprise in that quarter.
Between all those points and Richmond will
be posted large bodies of reserves, prepared
for any emergency that may arise, so that,
should the u. S. troops succeed in entering
the State, they will be compelled to encounter
at various points on the route large bodies
of troops strongly posted in positions cap
able of being maintained for many days
against large invading army. From
Harper's Ferry to Richmond, via Staunton
is about $50 miles-the route lying through
u narrow valley for the first half OF the way.
1t was from this valley that Morgan de-
I rived large portion Of his famous rifle
men in the Revolution, and its county OF
Augusta-"OId Federal Augusta'-is still
celebrated for the proficiency OF her citizens
in this important branch of war service. The
counties of Rockingham, Shenandoah and
Page are inhabited by Il sturdy race of far
mers descendants Of German emigrants from
PENNSYLVANIA. Intellectually they are not
very brilliant specimens of human nature,
but when driven to the wall they will tight
like "ter tuyvel." They are all men of sub
stance, the owners of superb farms, (the fac
smile of those in Lancaster county, Pa, re-
markable for their economy and thrift, and
their answering and incorporating ODE
mocracy." That division of the Z. S. army
which marches on Richmond by the valley
route will require General of consummate
ability. Mansfield would be competent for
the position, but cannot we'll be spared from
henduuarters here, in consequence OF the de-
clining health of Gen. Scott. Mansfield is
from Connecticut aud graduated at West
Point in the Engineers, in 1922 lie is about
60 wears old, and one Of the most valuable
officers of the army.
The invasion Of Virginia. by the way OF
Alexandria, will also require General of
ri ba % ,ly- no ~ :
PEELED to encounter at some point on the
route to Richmond, General Lee himself, or
at all events, that dashing Artillery officer,
so we'll known to the frequenter5 OF Newport,
John Bankhead Magruder
The defence of the York River will proha-
bly be entrusted toGeneral Beauregard, who
will enter upon the duty con amore. In the
opinion of Major Anderson, Beauregard is a
soldier Of infinite resources, and equal to al
most any emergency.
Now. it is readily to be inferred from Gen.
SCOTS well known caution that he would
not dream Of making movement upon Rich
mond, by the three routes above described,
with less than $4,000 tloops-20, 900 for the
Valley route, 10000 for the Alexandria
route and at least 10000 for York River
An additional force of at least 5000 men
would be required to hold Brigadier Gener-
al Ruggles (late Of Massachusetts, in check,
at Notwithstanding $4,000 in ALL
To keep So, 0G0 in the field and 10000 more
for the defence Of Washington, or a total of
$4,000, would require the enlistment of at
least 90, 900 men-for out Of every regiment,
200 are usually on the sick list. For inter-
esting details on this point the curious read
er is referred to Gibbons delightful Memoir
of his own Life; for Gihbon was Il soldier
rs we'll rs historian, and by his actual ex-
perience of camp life among the British Vol
unteers in the county of Kent, derived much
valuable information, which he turned to
good account in his Decline and Fall of the
Roman Empire.
Let US suppose that these 10000 men are
actually mustered in, armed and equipped,
and that they advance on Richmond, and
after at least three pitched battles, to say
nothing of minor skirmishes, succeed in
reaching it--what then 1t will be time
enough to answer this question on the 18th
of july"
MOVEMENTS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY AND
VICINITY.