Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-07-25

Let Us here invite the reader to place the
the map Of North America before him; with
out map he is not likely either to follow or
recoilcct the details about to be given but
with it the general position OF the armies
will be easily Ineligible. Let Us start ut
the city Washington ON the river Potomac.
Here are the headquarters Of the Northern
army, with force in and around it Of about
10000 men. 1t lies close to the frontier Of
Virginia, and only few weeks ago was held
to be in danger Of surprise form that
quarter; but now that it has been rendered
secure, it forms a good base for operations
close TO the enemy's country. Between it
and Virginia flow the Potomac--the Rubicon
of this great strife---across which the United
States have already pushed considerable
number Of troops. They have thus been
able to occupy many good strategic points ;
so that following the southern shore Of the
Potomac, their line now extends with little
interruption from Arlington Heights and
Alexandria. nearly opposite Washington, on
the right, to Fort Monroe, which occupies a
point of land jutting into the sea between
James and York rivers, on the left. Ac-
cording to New York papers, the whole
country of Virginia teens with Southern
Troops Dut tncy may Dc CololucIcu dS HluSI-
ly disposed along two sides Of q triangle,
commencing on the sea coast at Norfolk,
opposite to Fort Monroe, and extending ir-
regularly for about 200 miles in the int ,ror
to Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville,
&c, whence the line turns North, along an,
other side of the triangle, to Harper Ferry.
The third side of this triangle is formed by
the Potomac, and is occupied by Northern
troops, as just described. .f...
The number of troops collected at present
in this quarter is generally considered to be
pretty equal, and may amount to about GO, ,00C
men on each side. Every town and hamlet
in Virginia swarms with soldiers, and from
the number and convenience of the railroads
now in the hands of the Sccessionists, it is
thought that in twenty-four hours they could
concentrate $4,000 men in 'front.' On the
United States side one or more of three op.
erations are indicated as imminent-l. An
attack on Harper's Ferry by the Pennsylva-
mans. q The recapture Of Norfolk by an
expedition from Fort Monroe assisted by
the fleet Or. 3. An advance straight into
Virginia by Manassas towards Richmond
the capital Of the State and headquarters OF
Jefferson Davis. Manassas, u miles south
of Alexandra, is being strongly fortified BY
earthworks it is an important point, being
the place where the railroad from Alexandra
to Richmond is Joined by the railroad lead
ing towards Harpcrs Ferry. Should thu
North be able to seize this point, they wi
cut off the supports of Harper's Ferry, and
b. opening tine way to flank movement
upon it, render its position one Of grea
danger. 1t sasserted, indeed, in some well
informed quarters, that General Scott
having taken up safe position, is now de
sirops of delay before entering further on thu
campaign, on purpose that he may have tint
to impart little drill and discipline to tn,
raw lcvies placed at his disposal. Howeve
that may be, it is not unlikely that the frs
battle will take place in the direction # Ma
| naSsas.
But wherever the first shock may come,
will certainly be Virginia fate 10 bear tn
brunt of the campaign. As it is Of the high
est importance to the South to prevent tn
Northern army from penetrating deeply int
the slave country, every effort will be mad
to coniinc the war to the frontier, since tn
1 proximity of an Aboitionist army might il
cite the slaves to insurrection. The fir,
battles, too, We may expect will be iiercel
fought, for the issue will turn the wavereI
into one scale or the other. Nothing
more certain than numerous Unionists exi,
in all the Southern States, who dare nc
during the present excitement of their fellow
citizens avow their sentiments; but, with Il
advance ofa Northern army, these men wi
!, he able to declare themselves. 1t is a con
J mon opinion in the North that, if Virgin
i fall, the backbone of the rebellion will
broken, aud that thus few victories game
/. at the opening Of the campaign may at ont
a bring the revolted States back into ii
+ Union. ...- r.. .