The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-14

| Epgl'sh ports frmer, with more Offering.
The Military Policy Of the Two Govern
ments.
The successful issue OF a great military strug-
gle more often depends upon preliminary eau
ton and foresight than upon bravery in action
or superiority of force. The battle is not I'M
frequently won more by the advance measures
of the leader than by the actual conflict in the
field. Impetuosity may carry victory, or it
may hasten q defeat; but the military chieftain
is always wise who makes his preparations
calmly and surely, and depends upon the valor
and efficiency of his army to carry them out
The policy of the United States government
in the present crisis appears to be of the latter
character General Scott, while concentrating
to protect it, is slowly but securely fortifying
his position at various points, encircling Mary
land and Virginia with strong bodies of men
from the camps al York, Perryvile and the Re-
lay House, down to Annapolis and Fortress
Monroe and in such Immediate communication
with each other that junction may be made
at any one point within q brief time neces-
sary. The mouths OF the Chesapeake and the
Potomac river are effectuauy blockaded, the
former by the United States vessels Of war lying
off Fortress Monroe, and the latter by the line
OF river steamers chartered and armed in the
service OF the government. Meantime large
bodies Of men are every day being sent for
ward from the North, thus enabling the govern
ment 10 occupy every strategical situation
without decreasing the force necessary for the
immediate protection of Washington.
The military ardor which prevails all over
the Northern States will place at the disposal
o. the government three hundred thousand men
within six weeks time, and will enable
The commanding general to occupy the tine
Of the Potomac at every required point from
Harper's Ferry to Alexandria with force of
100000 men. Slowly and calmly this strong
military position is being obtained, and the
troops concentrating at all these points, more
over, are well equipped, fairly drilled, sup.
piled with artillery, and not badly provsioned,
considering the large number OF men TO be
taken care OF. Every hour gained, therefore
in prolonging the opening of the contest is a
positive benefit to the government
! And while such is tie disposition OF the
Northern army around Washington there is
not less caution and saeacity manifested ia the
| South and West PENSACOLA is well protected
| by United States troops, and Fort Pickens is
| considered safe, fresh reinforccments being
| constantly thrown in there. Cairo. the most
| important position in the Northwest. standing
| as it does at the junction Of the Ohio and Mis-
| sssippi rivers, and commanding both, has been
| placed in a condition Of perfect security from
| any attack from the South. The Northwest
with its hardy backwoodsmen and sharpshoot-
ers, can, in fact, defend itself without embar
RAISING the government by Withdrawing any of
its resources from other quarters and can, be-
sides, supply, out Of the abundance OF its cereal
wealth, 10y means Of the lakes and railroads to
the East, the wants Of the army concentrated
around the federal capital.
Now, how stands ii with the rebel armye
The mail lines and telegraphs all over the
South are in the hands of the secessonists and
therefore we are more or less in the dark az to
their movements but sufficient information
reaches u.s. in various ways, to know that small
bodies of troops are continually marching from
the extreme South, from Alabama, Georgia.
Mississippi and Texas, and concentrating
at two or three points in Virginia and Mary
laid, principally at Lynchburg, Richmond,
Petersburg Harper's Ferry and Alexandria
These men are not sufficiently armed; they are
supplied, it is true with guns and bowie knives.
both of which they know how to use; but their
artillery is very deficient, and their discipline
in all probability most incomplete. Then they
are FESTIVE and impetuous-hard TO control, and
disconnected with the slow policy Of their
leaders. They have joined the movement eager
| for instant conHct-for an immediate attack
| upon Washington, and a hand to hand eight
| Most OF them are still laboring under the dolu-
| sion that the North is divided, and that the
| sympathy with the cause Of the South has ex.
| perienced no revolution. As they arrive at
| their various points Of destination in Virginia
| they will be undeceived upon this question,
and their discomfort will increase. Thus while
The leaders of the rebel movement are taking
Counsel az 10 their mode Of operations, the re-
bel army is becoming demoralized.
Such is the policy Of the two contending
] powers That Of the North Is slow aud SECURE,