Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-08-29
Tho Rebel Forcea.

The Washington correspondent of the
Boston Journal, writing under date Of Au-
gust 25, says
"Never underrate an enemy Let us re-
member the truism, for we forgot il when we
went to Bull Run. The evidences multiply
that the rebels are concentrating all their
available forces along the Potomac. That
their army is immense can not be doubted
after a review of the facts which have come
TO light. 1t is certain that there is a steady
stream of troops setting North from the
Southern States. The cry "0n to Washing
ton" is louder than that which was heard
North, "0n to Richmond" batch of
papers from the South received here proves
it. Washington is the coveted prize, not to
keep, but to destroy. If taken, it would
give them recognition abroad. That they
must have or go down at last. The thought
Of getting possession Of Washington is sufi-
cient to stimulate every rebel. Under this
cry the ranks of the army have been swelled.
All is at stake. Virginia has called every
one capable of bearing arms to the field; not
only called, but forced them to come.
In addition it is certain that all this force
is being concentrated toward Washington.
There are but few troops at Norfolk and
vicinity. There are but few in Northern
Virginia. About twenty thousand as nearly
as can be ascertained, are operating against
Rosecrans toward the new State of Kanawha.
From all the information obtained, it is es.
timated that the force concentrating on
Washington exceeds one hundred and
TWENTY-FIVE thousand. They have weakened
| all other places to strengthen the army here.
| For what purpose2 Not to act-solely on the
| defensive, for by this course they have left
! Richmond and Eastern Virginia compare
| lively undefended. If General Wool had ten
thousand men, he could enter Norfolk aud
work his way far toward Richmond. The
| rebels know it. But what is Norfolk to
Washington If by losing Norfolk they
could gain the Capital, it would be like ex.
changing the poorest of all Peter Funk's
brass watches, which go only when they are
carried, for full-jeweled Frodsham.
| To obtain this prize they have begun their
moves upon the strategic chess-board. 1t is
| said they intend to'procsed to Baltimore
| The information comes from Richmond
| paper. Why should Richmond paper give
such information to the Hessnns," as the
Union men are called? The Southern papers
have been cautious about revealing army
movements; why this exception? Why the
appearance of rebel cavalry upon the hills
opposite Harper's Ferry2 Some of your
Philadelphia contemporaries have accepted
the conclusion that Baltimore and Phiadel-
phia are to be attacked, and not Washing
ton. The papers in the latter city urge the
| CONSTRUCTION OF 1OrLlucdEOuS SOuLn OF Tue
Schuylkill. General Mcclellan, evidently,
does not so interpret the movements. Wash
ington is the prize, and Beauregard has be-
gun his false moves to conceal his real pur-
pose. He has large force at Leesburg.
! General Banks is opposite, eight miles dis
tant. The Potomac, now somewhat swollen,
rolls between. The canal is open to Wash
ington.
Eight boats came down yesterday. He has
the railroad to Baltimore in the rear of him.
He can obtain men and supplies at short no
tice. An attempt of Beauregard or John
ston to cross in front of Banks would be
known at the War Department by telegraph
before the first platoon had reached the mid
die of the river. General Banks has not q
very large force, but if he was compelled to
fall back, General Dix is behind him at Bal.
timore. And even if Johnston should, afteI
crossing, approach Washington by way .
Rockville, he would find a few obstacles il
the way, not to be mentioned just now.
What force has Mcclellan to operate
against this immense rebel army? l an
aware that every one of your readers wOulC
like to know; but l shall not enligbten them
1t may be tantalizing to write this much, bu
it certainly would not be patriotic to publisl
what know of General McClellans fore,
| and its disposition.