Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-05
The Movement ON Virginia.

! The news this morning is of the most impor-
tnt character. 1t bad been for some time known
that movement was in contemplation upon Vir-
| ginia from the West. This movement has been
commenced. Grafton, town at the junction of
the Baltimore and Ohio and North western Rail-
roads, is the point at which the advancing col
umn is directed to rendezvous, and from that
place movement will doubtless be made imme
diately upon Richmond, by such a route as will
/ offer the greatest advantages for the rapid march
of the troops.
This movement will be under the immediate
direction of Gen. Mcclellan, and the Importance
of the step demands leader of no less ability
Ii is not probable that he will enter Virginia with
an army of less than sc, 900 men. Such a force
as this, threatening the rebels at Harper's Ferry
in the rear and on the flank, will cause them
speedily to evacuate that position and betake
themselves southwark, this being the only course
by which they can avoid total route. Nothing
will then prevent the Federal troops from pushing
on to Richmond, the city whittier all the move
ments of the last few days have clearly tended.
1t is said that the rebel Virginians are IN con-
siderable force at Grafton, and that collision is
inevitable. 1t is certain that if there is deter
mination on the part of the secessionists to fight
they will have the opportunity to show it within
few days.
We learn, also, that a CO operative movement
is to be made from Philadelphia on Harper's
Ferry. by way of Harrisburg and Chambersburg,
by i've regiments under command of General
Patterson, and that this expedition is to start to-
day Thus this Wes' ern movement, considered
by military men to be the most important of the
campaign, and one for the commencement of
which they have been impatiently looking, seems
to be undertaken after judcious deliberation, and
with force which, skilIfully led, can not know
defeat.
Another advance of United States troops into
Virginia has been made are led to believe,
by the tenor of our dispatches from Washington,
though some doubt hangs over the details. Yes
terday morning several steamers, some of them
carrying guns, took on board one or two regi-
ments at the Washington navy yard and sailed
down the river. 1t was supposed that their desti-
nation Acquia Greek, which is the terminus
of the Richmond, Frederick, and Potomac rail-
road, and in the direct line OF communication
with Richmond, from which it is distant about IS
miles 4 battery is erected there, mounting. as
it is stated, four - pOun1ers, and supported by
vessel carving FIVE guns of the same weight of
metal. The possession of this point is important,
and the certainty of its capture may well cause
unelsness to the rebels, who proposed to use the
railroad to aid the advance of their troops.
The occupation of Manassas Gap Junction
will be likely to closely follow the capture of
Acquia Creek, and thus, with these two points in
our possession, with broad way opened from the
Vest into Virginia, and with Harpers Ferry Civ
en- up by the discomhted rebels, the road will be
| well open and very plain to Richmond, where
the loyal men of the Old Dominion propose TO
seat the Governor they intend to put in the place
of the one who has betrayed them. There will,
perhaps, be hard fighting within the next ten
DAYS, but there can be no question to where
the enduring victory will rest.-N. Y. Tribune
09rL