Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-10-19
OUR MILITARY BUDGET.
THKIR WHEREABOUTS.

THEIR WHEREABOUTS.
The New York Times and TTsbNxs, we fear, are
deceiving themselves egregiously, In crediting
Beauregard aud Johnson with having already
virtually abandoned Manassas Junction Is the base
line OF their operations and fallen with their main
army, back TO the south bank Of the Rsppshsn-
mock. We doubt the fact, IL but because the line
Of the RspPahannock from Fredericksburg 20 the
Fauquier White sulphur Springs, at the foot OF
the Blue Ridge, 10 by no means 90 defensible -
their present line, Occoquan river and its bead
Bull Run 70 the Bull Run mountain, (bscf Of
Sudley church, the spur Of the Blue Ridge nesr-
est to Washington.
This last Bull rum line embraces fewest fords,
has PERCEPTIONS banks, is densely wooded, and 10
bounded on both sides by very broken topogrs-
ply The line Of the Rsppahannock river, on the
other hand, abeunds In shallow and accessible
fords, 10 skirted almost everywhere with arm,
cleared and wide fah or low grounds, with sd-
joining cleared table ground Of but comparatively
slight and remarksbly-level elevation. From
Manassas junction to the Rsppehannock river
the country level and destitute Of wood, having
been long in cultivation. Artillery can travel
almost aHY where over the fields and branches be-
tween Manassas Junction and the Rappahsnnocf
between lines drawn ten miles above and ten
miles below the route Of the Orange and Alex
andria Railroad.
Wherever between those lines Gen. Mcclellan
may elect to cross the Rsppahsnnock, he will
fni a convenient crossing place perhaps withins
hundred yards That 10, II he carries along q
supply Of wire rope sufficient 10 make six or eight
cords hundred or a hundred and any yards
long, and plank enough to cover a Temporary
army bridge Of that length. His engineers can
put up such bridge perhaps In an hour.
Back Of the Rappahannock for at least ten
miles the country continues az level and cleared
as between the Junction and the river. After-
wards IL becomes a rolling country, far less pre-
cipitous and far less wooded than between the
Potomac snd -Manassas Junction. That 10, until
GordonsviIle, the junction Of. the Orange and
Alexandria and the Central Valley Railroad, is
reached. From thence to Richmond, following
the line Of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
the country becomes gradually level, and 10 COM
paratively heavily timbered.
Under these circumstances, we are very sure
that IL johnson and Beauregard End their present
line with Manassas Junction for its base, unten,
able, they will not venture to make q serious
stand on the south bank of the Rappahannock,
perhaps naturally the least defensible line they
could select between Washington and Rich
mond.
AN IMPORTANT REcoNNoIsANcK.
Occoquan, taking the telegraph road 90 far az
Acotink creek. Parties were sent to Acotinf and
Pohick, and on a road leading up the Acotink.
This latter party fell in with the rebel pickeis,
who Immediately fell back and gave the alarm.
The long rollwas beaten at their camps across the
greek.
From information received there are no rebels
between the telegraph road and the river this
side Of Occoquan and but few at the latter place.
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA.
Special correspondence Of the Star
ALExAND IA, Oct. 10, 1S6I.-Eduo7 STAY Our
Union Association here 10 making very favorable
progress in point Of numbers. At our last meet
ing on Wednesday evening, twentY-four were
added and we now have enrolled ever three
hundred and fifty members.
In compliance with the proclamation Of Gov
Pierpont, an election will be held on Thursday
next, the Gath, for a member Of Congress to rep
resent this district s. Furguson Beach, Esq, Of
this city, gentleman every way qualified for thu
position, 10 spoken Of as the man, and think viii
be the choice OF the veten.
BY an ordinance Of the Convention sitting at
wheeling, ali the county aud city Offices are de-
clared vacant. meeting Of the Union party was
held last night respecting those offices, and
adjourned to Tuesday evening next, when 10 IL
expected the nominations will be made, Of which
] will advise you.
The work on Fort Lyons, south side Of n uniting
Greek, is progressing rapidly. Guns are being
mounted, and when completed viii be the strong
est fNrtihcation around this city.
The fort on the Bellview farm, on the MARYLAND
side, makes quite formidable appearance from
here. notice workmen taking down the farm
house. (long the residence Of the Addison family,)
and which appears 10 be in the center Of the fort
This looks like putting tie finishing stroke TO
that work.
learn that James Green has refurnisbed his
hne hotel, 1.-THE Mansion House,) and that II 10
now open for visitors.
Considerable firing is heard from here to-day,
apparently TO the south OF US. All is quiet In the
CITY, and notice = number Of vessels In the river
coming up. UNION.