The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-07-10
that the Governor Of the Commonwealth o

that he will fight their troops if they attemp
to enter his Commonwealth. Thus, Ken
lucky sets up for herself, while Virginia i
on the very eve of destruction, and an actua
invasion has taken place Of her soil. 1t i
exceedingly difficult of comprehension that
with the numerous troops, artillery, and bat
terics which the Confederate journals assert
ed to be in readiness to repel attack, an in
.vasion, which took place in face of 3he enemy
and was effected over a broad river, will
shores readily defensible, should have beer
unresisted. Here it is said there is a might,
plan, in pursuance ofwhich the United States
troops are to be allowed to make their way
into Virginia, that they may at some con
yenient place be eaten up by their enemies
and il we hear that the Conf derates as Har
per's Ferry retain their positions one may
believe some such plan really exists, although
it is rather doubtful strategy to permit the
United States' troops to gain possession o
the right bank Of the Potomac. Should the
position at Harper's Ferry be really occupied
with design Of using it as a point d oppui
for movements against the North, and any
large number of troops be withdrawn from
Annapolis, Washington and Baltimore, SO
as to leave those places comparatively unde-
Tended, an irruption in force Of the Confede-
rates on the right flank and in the rear OF
Gen. Scott's army, might cause most serious
Inconvenience. and endangcr his communica.
tons, if not the possession Of the places indi-
Gated
Looking at the map, it is easy to compro-
hend that march southwards from Alex.
andria could be combined with an effective
movement by the forces said to be ooncon-
trated in and around Fortress Monroe, so as
to place Richmond itself in danger, and, il
any such measure is contemplated, a battle
must be fought in that vicinity, or the pres
ige of the South will receive very great dam
age. 1t is impossible for any one to under,
stand the movements of the troops on both
sides. Their companies were scattered broad
cast over the enormous expanse ofthe States
and where concentrated in any considerable
numbers, seem to have had their position
determined rather by local circumstances
than by considerations connected with the
general plan of a large campaign.
In a few days the obiec. of the recent
movements will be better understood, and il
is probable that your correspondent at New
York will send, by the same mail which car
'ies this, exceedingly important information
to which I, in my present position, can have
no access. The influence of the blockade
will be severely felt, combined with the stric
interruption of all intercourse by the Missis
sippi. although the South boasts of its re
sources and of its amazing richness ant
abundance of produce, the constant advict
in the journals to increase the breadth o
land under corn, and to neglect the cottor
crop in consideration Of the paramount i'm
portance Of the cause, indicate an apprehen
sion ola scarcity of food if the struggle b,
prolonged.
Under any circumstances, the patriot,
ladies and gentlemen who are so anxious f.,
the war, must make up their minds to suffe
a little in the flesh. All they can depend
on is a supply ofhome luxuries. Indian corr
and wheat, the flesh ofpigs, eked out Will
a small supply of beef and mutton, will con
stitutc the staple of their food Butter ther
will be none, and wine will speedily rise t.
an enormous price, Nor will coffee or tel
be had except at rate which will plac
them out of the reach of the community
The blockade is not yet enforced here, ant
the privateers of the port are extremely &C
| tive, and have captured vessels with NOR
energy than wisdom.
The day before yesterday ships belongin,
to the United States in this river were seize,
by the Confederation authorities, on tn
ground that war had broken out, and tina
the time of grace accorded to the enemy.
traders had expired. Great was the rush
to the consul's office, to transfer the menace,
property from ownership under the Star
and Stripes to British hands, but Mr.. Muir
refused to recognize any transaction of tn
kind, unless sale bona fide had been effectet
before the action of the Confederate Mar
shais.
At Charleston the blockade has bee.
raised, owing, apparently, to some want Q
information or of means on the part of tn
s.. Government, and considerable incon
venience may be experienced by them i
consequence.
On the 18th the United States steam frig
ate Niagara appeared outside, and warned Of
several British ships, and on the 18th sh
was visited by Mr.. Bunch, our cousul VIII
was positively assured by the officers OF
board that eight or ten vessels would be dow
to join in enforcing the blockades. On tn,
18th, however, the Niagara departed, lcav
ing the port open, and seycrel vessels hav
since run and obtained fabulous freights
suggesting to the minds Of the owners of tn
vessels which were warned off the pro
priety Of making enormous demands 70
compensation. The Southerners general
believe not only that their Confederacy wi
be acknowledged, but that the blockade wi
be disregarded by England. Their affectio
for her is proportionably prodigious, an
reminds one Of the intensity of the gratitud