Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-05

The following from Washington letter in the
New York World, presents at least plausible,
if not reliable view of the plans of the Gov
eminent:
At the present juncture it is not very difficult
to explain what can be done next, and done sue
cessfully. and what / have the best reasons for
believing will be DONE i refer to the speedy in
vestment and dislodgement-eitherb by surprise or
hight-of the rebel forces at Harpers Ferry, and
along the Potomac from Williamsport to Point of
Rocks. The brilliant and sure occupation of Al
exandria illustrates the direction and manner in
which our troops are to move, and is the percur-
sor of much greater event. Gen. Scott has the
border game i'm his own hands. / am satisfied
that the only movement of the enemy which
could Just now vcx him would be the voluntary
evacuation of Harper's Ferry and adjacents. If
the rebels remain there fortnight longer, they
may have to surrender without striking blow.
Southern reinforcements are sent, and must be
sent to Harper's Ferry up the Orange and Alex
exdria railroad to the junction with the Manassas
railroad thence to the terminus of the latter at
Strasburg; thence there is march of twenty
miles to Winchestel; thence by rail again to the
rebel camp. An occupation of Manassas juno
ton by troops, will render such renforcements
impossible, except by march of perhaps hun
dred miles along the front of territory held by a
speedily occur involving the following results:
l. The accumulation of Federal troops across
the river from Washington in sufficient force not
only to hold Manassas Junction, but to advance
towards Strasburg. Here they can oppose the
northward march of Southern troops, and cut off
the forces at Harper's Ferry.
2. The advance to Washington from the North
of regiments to make good the deficit thus occa-
stoned
r Al II e
the Potomac above, below and opposite Harpers
Ferry, by the Pennsylvania troops now at Cham
bersburg and Hagerstown, under Major General
Patterson.
A. The more complete occupation of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Immediately west of the
rebel outposts.
The rebel batteries along the west Potomac
shore, from Point of Rocks to the Ferry, will be
shelled from the Maryland side and perhaps taken
by troops landed at points lower down under cover
of our fire. In this manner and with as little de
lay as possible, the strongholds which these Sc
cessionists have had the temerity to occupy
very borders, will be retaken by Northern gen
erals unless evacuated before our investment is
complete. Were it not for the storming of the
lower batteries little more blood would be shed
near Harper's Ferry in the one case than in the
other; for, when Gen. Scott occupies the Manas
sas Railroad it will be with sufficient force to re
at Harper's Ferry spendidly fortified but only
strong in their Notifications.
Their leaders dare not move therefrom will
their half disciplined. ill-organized thousands
Receiving no supplies from either South, East oil
West, they will be starved into surrender. I'm
doubtedly there would be fighting along the
Manassas road before such conclusion. Gen
Davis would make huge effort to break oul
lines. But with SCOTS disposition Of our forces
there could be but one result. And il the rebels
at the Ferry all this plainly as do, they
will not risk the chances there being yet time for
the alternative of evacuation.
If any advance is made on Richmond it will be
! by Gen. Butler from Fort Monroe. AS Beaure-
gard is route for Norfolk, Il believe the dest
nation of this ubiquitous leader is at last settled
Butler will have to fight his way. But it is not
certain that any measure in that direction will be
taken beyond the concentration of an army
around Fort Monroe. in readiness for grand ag
1 gressive movement in the autumn. This body
will then act in conjunction with the great central
army which, after the capture of Harper's Ferry
will occupy the Virginia lines reaching from
Wiliamsport on the upper Potomac to Manassas
Junction The lower Potomac is to he kept clear
meanwhile