Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-08-30
From tie Boston Journal
From Washington.
THE REBEL FORCES.

remember the truism, for we forgot il
when we went to Bull Run. The evil |
dences multiply that the rebels are con-
centrating all their available forces along
the Potomac. That their army is i'm
mense cannot be doubted after review
of the facts which have come to light. 1t
is certain that there is steady stream Of
troops setting North from the Southern
States. The cry son to Washington" is
louder than that which was heard North
"On to Richmond" A batch of papers
from the South received here proves it.
Washington is the coveted prize, not to
keep but to destroy. If taken it would
give them recognition abroad. That they
must have, or 90 down at last. The
thought of getting possession Of Wash
ington is sufficient to stimulate every
rebel. Under this cry the ranks of the
army have been swelled. All is at stake.
Virginia has called every one capable OF
bearing arms to the field; not only called
but forced them to come. In addition it
! is certain that all this force is being con-
centrated toward Washington. There
are but few troops at Norfolk and vicin-
ity. There are but few in Northern Vir-
ginia. About 10000, as nearly as can
be ascertained, are operating against
Rosecrans toward the new state Of Kan
awha. From all the information obtained
it is estimated that the force concentra-
ting on Washington exceeds 10000.
They have weakened all other places to
strengthen the army here. For what
purpose? Not to act solely on the de-
fensive, for by this course they have left
Richmond and Eastern Virginia compar-
atiyely undefended. If General Wool
had ten thousand men, he could enter
Norfolk and work his way far toward
Richmond. The rebels know it. But
. what is Norfolk to Washington? If by
losing Norfolk they could gain the CAPT
tai, it would be like exchanging the poor
est of all Peter Funk's brass watches,
which 90 only when they are carried, for
a full ieweled Frodsham.
To obtain this prize they have begun
their moves upon the stragetic chess
board. 1t is said they intend to proceed
to Baltimore. The information comes
from Richmond paper. Why should a
Richmond paper give such information tc
to the "Hessians," as the Union men are
i called The Southern papers have beer
cautious about revealing army move
ments; why this exception ? Why the
o appearance of rebel cavalry upon the
hill opposite Harper's Ferry? Some Of
$ your Philadelphia contemporaries have
q accepted the conclusion that Baltimore
= and Philadelphia are to be attacked, and
? not Washington. The papers in the lat
S Ter city urge the construction Of fortified
: tons south of the Schuylkill. Genera
0 Mcclellan evidently does not so interpret
e the movements. Washington is The prize
D., aud Beauregard has begun lis false
e moves to conceal his real purpose. lie
e has large force at Leesburg. Genera
J Banks is opposite, eight miles distant
The Potomac, now somewhat swollen
rolls between. The canal is open tC
Washington. Eight boats came down
! yesterday. He has the railroad to Bal
- timore in the rear oG him. He can OBJ
tain men and supplies at short notice
. An attempt of Beauregard or Johnston
to cross in front of Banks would be known
, at the War Department by telegraph be
e fore the first platoon had reached the
= middle of the river. General Banks has
not very large force, but if be was com
r PEELED to fall back, General Dix is be
/ hind him at Baltimore. And even i
e Johnston should, after crossing, approach
Washington by way of Rockville, he
would find few obstacles in the way
j., not to be mentioned just now.
5 What force has Mcclellan to operate
= against this immense rebel army? | an
aware that every one Of your readers
E would like to know, but shall not en-
It tighten them. 1t may be tantalizing t.
: write this much, but it certainly woulC
, not be patriotic to publish what | know
. of General Nc ClelIan's force and its dis
). position"
u Burleigb," the correspondent of th
. Boston Journal, writes as follows;
IS cit is the current rumor about tow
that both the Daily Ne,cs and the Da
q Book are to be seized and the printing c
both of the papers ended. If this is no
i done by the authorities, there is nue.
danger that the hand of unlawful violenc
will be laid on the presses, and perhap
: on those conducting them. The printing