Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-06-07
The Position.

q The week opens amid striking indi
cations of contact, not very remote
| between the gathering hostile forces
, On the rebel side, the arrival of JEFF
: Davis at Richmond will probably prove
the signal for some desperate operation
, though it is wholly uncertain in wha
direction this will be manifested. 1t j:
likely, however, that the main purpose Of
, Davis at present will be to stop VI check
the grand onward movement of the Ma
itional army, which, though slow, is steady
and extended, and makes such an i'm
preston of invincibility, that its demon
alizing effects on the secession cause are
already apparent. This has not escaped
the attention of Davis, and if be has any
"gumption," to use colloquial express
sion, he will not rest until he has tried
his most desperate means to reverse the
state of affairs. But his methods-even
if we should concede to him the military
capacity which is claimed for him-will
necessarily depend mainly upon the
character and discipline of the troops
which he finds scattered throughout
Virginia.
AT no previous time has the prospects
of The Union cause been more satisfactory
since it became evident that an appeal to
arms was the only resort left. On the
south side of the Potomac we have over
10000 well-traned troops, and strong
reinforcements can be sent over at a few
hours warning-amounting in the ag-
gregate to probably about $4,000 mel.
1t will be seen by our dispatches that
strong detacbments have been pushed
forward ii miles from Alexandria to
Fairfax, which place they hold, the rebels
there have fled. During the week, doubt
less, the Manassas Gap Junction, 13
miles further on, will be taken-whether
with or without contest, remains TO be
seen. But the Importance of the locality
renders it probable that it will not be
quietly given up.
From the vicinity of Fort Monroe
there is nothing new. There is force
of 10000 men there, drilling at the fort,
to fortify the Rip Raps, an
island in the roads opposite, and throw
ing up entertainments at Newport News.
If any aggressive movements is impend-
ing, it is at the present moment doubtful
whether it will be up the Nansemond
river, with view to rear advance up
IN Sewall's Point or Norfolk or whether
t will be toward Yorktown on the York
liver, now said to be occupied by 1000
'ebels. Ii the latter, it will indicate
speedy designs upon Richmond. But we {
hSHiu loNhSi iiACI iIoih tnc movements
If Gen. Butler, that Monroe will be the
oasis Of no important active operations
All tue rebels pinned there
~ uncertainty, may be SO much gained
or other theatres Of action.
The other great point of interest,
Iornpp's i, 81 tI,. !
more activity. About 2OO0 good troops,
With artillery, are at the Relay House,
0 keep watch and ward in that direction,
nd capable pushing forward with effect
f necessary. A body OF armed men 9
'ait at Chambersburg for orders to march J
OWL on the Ferry, and 5000 reserves q
lie behind them at Y ork and Harrisburg. +
1t Grafton and Parkersburg, Western d
,irgina, there is a column of over $500 h
len, destined for the same point, if neces- o
lry, which it will not be, because the !
ebel force at Harper's Ferry will either I
e in retreat or in the hands of the loyal c
rmy before this Western column can n
rive. Besides the troops we have G.
numerated TO engage in or to support p
ctive operations, there are G000 in camp
Cairo, 1900 in Fort McHenry, Bal
more, and at Annapolis, about 5000 at b,
amp Dennisou, Cincinnati, and larger n,
lmbers still ready to go forward at the ci
northwest, in New York and New Eng &c
nd. Of these we need say nothing NJ
to others, we shall be mistaken if all of in
lem pass through the week without a,
laring in important eyents,-BoStOn S b,
,uTHaL re