The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-12
The National Battle Ground.

1
On our first page to-day we present to our
readers map of the scene of the coming con-
hict on the Potomac, where will take place that
great shock Of arms by which in all probability
the fate OF this wicked rebellion is to be de-
cided. When the shock does come we cannot
doubt that its result will be glorious to the
loyal and true men of the country, and
disastrous to the traitors who would destroy
the republic.
On both sides of the Potomac, and within the
region embraced by our map, there now lie in
hostile camps more than three hundred thousand
! men, brave, impetuous, we'll armed, and equally
resolved, probably, to fight to the bitter death
for the great stake that is at issue between them.
Preparations for conflict were never made on
grander scale in all the worlds history. When
the conflict shall have taken place there will
% none more like 1t, let us hope, during
this rebellion or in the future annals Of our
country If victory perch upon the banners
Of the Union. the rebel hordes will never
again be organized, but will melt away
as snow before the summer sun. We will
not speculate upon the consequences of de-
feat; for, with loyal and brave men to up
hold the nations standard, and with that skill
full generalship which we have every reason
to expect from tho energetic commander of our
army, "there's no such word as fail" We look
forward, therefore, with unfaltering confidence
to the hour of that great clash of arms which
must soon sound on the banks of the beautiful
Potomac.
Our map comprehends those portions of the
States Of Virginia and Maryland, lying on both
| sides of the river, from Harper's Ferry to Fort
Washington, forming an area of some forty
miles from north to south by thirty from west
to cast.
Within that area are encamped the federal
forces around the capital, under the imme-
date command Of Mcclellan, those which de-
fend the upper Potomac under Banks, and
those in the vicinity Of the Great Falls under
Stone /; the main body of the rebel army under
Beauregard, with his headquarters at Fairfax
Court House, and the two corps commanded
by the two rebel Generals Johnston, the one
stretching southeastward from Leesburg,
tho other northeastward from Manassas
Junction. The positions of the rebels, as de-
down On our map; those Of the national
army are, for good reasons, omitted, except
so far as they may be understood from
the localities of the old forts from Arlington
Heights to Alexandria. A fair estimate of tho
rebel forces in the vicinity makes them
out to be one hundred and fifty to two
hundred thousand of which each of the John.
3D. mia ;&,&nc ,rtl, c&ho.
| two-fourths forming the main army. Of the
strength of our own army we do not feel ct
| liberty to give particulars.
| The problem now is, when and at what points
will the great decisive action take places Will
there be attempts made by the rebels to cross
| tho Potomac into Maryland, or will they employ
| all their strength in endeavoring to force the
| line of federal intrenchments before Washing
toni The first plan appears impossible of reali-
cation; tho second would only be resolved upon
in mere desperation. In the meantime, there
| come up vague rumors that the rebel army is
becoming disorganized through sickness, INSULT
| cheney of supplies and the recall of North Caro-
lima and other troops for the defence Of their re-
spective States, and that they are gradually
| falling back. There would seem to be some
| confirmation Of these rumors in the significant
fact Of General Mcclellan advancing his pickets
mile after personal inspection Of the enemy's
position from balloon day or two since. A
retreat without fighting would prove almost as
disastrous to the rebels as great defeat, for it
would inevitably disband their army. At all
events, this week will probably bring matters
to q crisis, and either end the struggle by de-
cisivc victory over the rebels, or embitter and
! prolong it still more by contrary result.
| THE SPECULATIoNs OF THE LONDON TINES ABOUT
| THE Wharf.-The London Times saws the federal