The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-27

Total W 600
We conjecture, however, that some of these
detachments, in moving from point to point,
have been counted twice, and that all Of them
have been so far over estimated that sixty thou
forces at these designated points. Assuming
therefore, toe aggregate Of sixty thousand men
as the full strength of the rebel forces in Vir-
ginia, the question next recurs, at what points
are they most likely to be concentrated to re-
sist the forces of the United Statest We
think that we have the answer to this inquiry
in the designation of Jefferson Davis to the
command of the Confederate troops at Rich
mond; in the appointment of General Johnston,
Of the Utah expedition, to their command at
Harper's Ferry; aud In the selection OF Gen.
eral Beauregard for their defensive operations
az Norfolk.
How are these arrangements to be met by
the United States forces? General Scott is the
only man, perhaps, VINO can answer this ques-
ton; but from what he has DONE it requires,
we think no military genius to guess at least
point or two Of his impending operations. In
the recent movement Of fifteen thousand Union
troops across the Potomac to the occupation of
Alexandria and its land approaches, that inland
line Of the rebel posts which stands as the hy-
pothenuse of our military triangle has been
broken into two parts, cut off from immediate
railway communication with each other, and
from their general depot of provisions, Alex
andria. In the fedora. occupation of Fortress
Monroe and in the blockade Of the James and
the other Virginia rivers of Chesapeake Bay.
the rebels at Norfolk and the neighborhood, in
being wholly cut off from the sea, are wholly
dependent upon the interior for their supplies
In holding the James river, however, they still
hold the advantage Of steamboat communca.
ton between Norfolk and Richmond, and the
means OF concentrating their forces from either
one of these points to the other as the occasion
may require.
They expect to be assailed simultaneously at
Hsrper's Ferry, Richmond and Norfolk, and It
is important that they should hold all three Of
these defensive positions, for with the loss OF
any one Of them the other two may be readily
reduced. Meantime, holding Fortress Monroe
in conjunction with an effective blockade Of the
Chesapeake and the Virginia rivers, the reduc-
ton of Norfolk becomes, perhaps, less impor-
tant in reference to the possession Of Richmond
than the occupation Of Harper's Ferry. We
think -, from the fact that the James above
Norfolk, Of every available point on both sides,
has been so provided with heavy batteries, that
II would make the federal progress up the
river the slow work of q continuous lombard.
meat.
On the other hand, the occupation of Har-
per's Ferry by the Union forces would make
clean work Of Northern Virginia would open
their route to Richmond inland free from a
fire In the rear" and would draw to the
defence Of Richmond upon the insurgeat
troops at Norfolk sufficiently to leave this
latter position an easy task to General
Butler. We are, therefore, prepared to hear
before long of hot work at Harper's Ferry, in
conjunction with an inland movement Of Union
troops from the Potomac river upon Richmond
and that General Butler, meantime, will suh
GENTLY employ the rebels about Norfolk to
hold them to that position.
At all events, with fifteen thousand Union
men in and around Alexandria, with forty thou
sand in and around Washington, with MARY
land safe, and with f.seen or twenty thousand
Union troops along the Pennsylvania line,
within striking distance Of Harper's Ferry,
with the full command of the Chesapeake Bay.
the lower Potomac and the sea, and with iffty
thousand Union men In reserve, which can be
thrown into Washington or into Norfolk at
two days notice, we consider the suppression
Of secession in Virginia clearly within the
reach of the government before the glorious
Fourth Of July.
There is q fair prospect Of series Of rough
engagements; but the men, the ma,eriel, the
facilities and the sinews of war are 80 over
whelmingly on the side OF the Union, that we