The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-19

We presume it is perfectly understood by
This time that the Federal forces operating
in and against Virginia are composed of
four grand divisions commanded by Gener-
ais Mcdowell, MCCLELLAN, PATTERSON and
BUTLER, respectively. The division under Mellow
ELL, which may be termed the Eastern one,
is encamped and entrenched on both sides of the
Potomac, from Georgetown to the Navy Yard on
the one shore, and from Arlington Heights to
Alexandria on the other. The Western division
under MCCLELLAN, has military possession of the
whole line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway be-
tween the Ohio river and Cumberland the
main body being concentrated at Phippi Its
most Eastern outpost is, or was at Martnsburg;
but the entire force will probably be pushed for
ward TO Harper's Ferry. PATTERsos's division
advancing from the North by way of Cham
bersburg and Hagerstown-has now halted,
and will probably be ordered to Washington
In the meantime, however, two other movements
are in progress. From the Eastern divi-
sion, under Mcdowell, a force several thou
sand strong, commanded by Col. STONE, has
been sent up the Potomac from Washington, for
the purpose of routing any organised band of Con-
federates that may be encountered in that direc-
ton, and of Selling and holding Leesburg We
also learn that a much more imposing force, be-
longing to McCLELLANDs division, is moving rap
idly enthusiastically, by way of the Great Kama
wha and Fayette Court house, with the obvious iu-
tention of seizing the Virginia and Tennessee Rail-
way, and thus cutting off reinforcements from the
South. The fourth division, that of BUTLER, is
encamped around Fortress Monroe, and threatens
Norfolk on the one side and Richmond on the
other. If not successfully opposed, it has the
choice of enveloping Norfolk and seizng upon the
Richmond, Petersburg, Portsmouth and Weldon
railway, or of marching upon Yorktown and CO.
operating with the Eastern division moving either
by way of Aqua Creek Manassas Junction.
upon Richmond. Here, then, we have an aggre-
gate force of at least one hundred thousand Fed
era troops, occupying various points in Virginia,
menacing the railway communications of the
Confederates, and all moving, or about to
move, upon one central point-that point being
the Capital Of Virginia. To give the reader a
better idea of their present positions, and the pro-
bable strength of each, we recaptulate:
NcDoweIFs division, stationed at Washington
and Alexandria, inclusive of stones command
ut or near LeeSburg Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
McClellands division from Grafton to Harper's
hanawha..,..... 25,0C0 |
Patterson's division, between Chambersburg and
Frederick $4,000
Buffers division around Fortress Monroe.... 1900
napolis .....,,,............... 1000
ToaI........ ................ ........... 10000
The estimate here given is, of course, based 10
certain extent upon mere conjecture, hut it will
not, we apprehend, be found far from the mark
ba l,,-o IL, |
The Federal troops in Yirginia-with the exception
OF BUTLER command-occupy the line of the
Fotofnac from Alexandria to Cumberland being
At 10 point more than few miles distant from
that river but imposing as they are in respect
to numbers, the mere fact of scattering them over
so extended an area, lays them omen 10 bo emf off
in detail, If it comes within the sco,a of ,bo 1
of the Confederates to march against ,ber, hoe,ro
they have time TO concentrate their rosnoo,;.-o
commands. The positions occupied by the con
federate forces are easily comprehended and may
be stated in very few words. The first line Of
defence covers the whole length of the Orange
and Alexandria railway, from Manassas Gap
junction to Strasburg on the one side and from
the same junction to Stanton on the other.
Every available point along the entire length
.p.' nue. mas been strongly entrenthed, and
iofu"ieu' the principal detences being at Manassas
Gap where the main body of the army is encamned
The second line of defence is the line If ra;,,rav
from Aqua Greek through Frederic,shnni. :,
Richmond which embraces also the linl 1 ,,,u "
meets the Richmond and Fredercksbura ,,' eon-
the Orange and Alexandria railway at
In addition to these lines protecting Richmond ~.
the approach of Eastern or Western divisions of
the Federal army, or from both combined, there is
series of batteries on both sides of the James river
and also on the peninsula covering the ap-
proach to Yorktown; whilst every height
around Richmond itself is crowned with
Notifications and breastworks. How many
effective soldiers are actually under arms, either