The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-09-26

tomac, stretcheO from Alexandra TO the Lutte
Falls. The go curity of its connected defenses
is beyond que jstion reserve force Is III slronS
possession IF Washington, Georgetown and the
TenleytoYn approach, Another column much
larger than / had estimated it previous to in
formation reaching me to-day, subjects the up
per Potomac, even to Harpers Ferry and a.! oi
Western Maryland 30 the rigorous guardian
ship Of Major General Banks. The enemy, IN
the other hand occupies Fairfax county ~ ioi'e'
his lines running parallel with ana "lthlh d
league Of our own, to he right and left extremes
He, moreover, opposes threatening ou1 HiGn-
or force to Banks column up the river, ana ms
batteries are in undisturbed position along the
lower Potomac at every spot commanding the
channel and the important inlets.
II IA believed that the rebel leaders concede
the futility of an attempt to cross the upper
fjrds great battle can thus only occur in
three WAYS First by Gen, McClellans attack |
upon the enemy's position. Second by his &C
ceptance of the enemy's offer to fight in open
field on the plateau between the rival encsmp-
ments. Third by the enemy's attack upon our
line of deteuses.
There is no likelihood of the first contingent |
cy occurring, so long az Beauregard and John |
ston keep their united army in its present con-
ti1uous strength Their forces are believed 10
be quite equal with our own To attack them
on their own ground-to assault AMI cross the
hills extending from Munson's to Hall would
be to wantonly throw all the chances of victory
into their hands. No motive for battle can
possibly be so cogent with US as this reason
against offensive measures We are neither
compelled or, this time ,fooshly eager to fight.
Our policy lies in keeping our lines inviolate
until we can weaken and dishearten the rebels
by series of Fort Hatteras successes, and
stringent season and a more stringent poverty
have rendered impracticable the grand Potomac
ia cbanre nj m
field engagement The rebel army is Offering
battle as fairly-to all present appearances-as
it can do by constant and harassing parallel oc-
cupaton. The feverish desire of its leaders for
a speedy issue is evinced in the ugly, irritating
advance made at Townsville, Balls Crossing
and Munson's Hill. They are endavorng, you
may be sure, to goad US beyond endurance by
repeated stings, until we shall take up the
guage daily thrown us, and meet them where
they will at least have an even chance. There
il no need OF our risking even chances Wait
ing, the result is in oar own hands. The army
grows stronger, mere solderly, more confident
and patriotic every day that the losses and dis.
couragemenss of Bull Run recede into the past.
We can supply and clothe feed and drill our
soldiers so long as Mortimer take the peoples
loan at the rate of million per day. gene
raj engagement, then, can only follow hope
less and headlOng offensive movement by the
enemy, in which am sure his columns would
be shattered like surf against the frowning Al
liHgtOn detenses, or his seizure of some emf.
hence Of which Mcclellan may deem 1t indis-
pensable to dIsposses him. In the latter case,
reinforcements might come to the aid of both
the contesting detachments, and the whole line
become holly engaged. Such a battle would oc-
cupy more than one day for Its decision, and
would be indeed dreadful in extent and mate
rial. repeat that to-day there are few indict-
tOns of its nearness. Across the river, our pick
cts are occupying their old positions. Yet do
not believe Beauregard has made any important
retrograde movement he is still strengthening
the position of an army scattered between Fair
fax Court House and our lines, and meditating
new devices for tempting us from the latter
From the Cincinnati Commercial washington Letter, }
Sept. 18th
The result of the next encounter of the grand
armies of the Potomqc, will not be left problem
attic, and it is because the Commanding Gene
raj Is determined to make success more than NOR
ally certain, that an offensive movement will
not Immediately take place. While the army
may be relied upon to repel,i is not in that sat
isfactOry condition which warrants an attack
Its organization upon thoroughly military pa
sis is not completed. There may be men enough
and means enough but that perfect ofganiza-
ton which makes men and means most nvaila-
bic, has not been attained. MI this is going
forward as rapidly as possible but 1t is not with
in the grasp of Napoleonic genius to mould and
shape an army Of such magnitude into divisions
and brigades as that they shall act with the una
nmity of one man, in month or six weeks
The system of defeuses, too Is Incomplete
Before the army advances, the Publications
around the city must be placed in such condition
that they can be held by the smallest number of
men compatible with its safety, in case of any
disaster. The need Of practical artIlerists is
more pressing than any other Nearly every
regiment is being searched for men experienced
in that branch of the service All such are re-
quired to report themselves Immediately and no
man who IS qualified as gunner can do his
country better service, or more speedily has
ten the hour of advance, than to report himself
at headquarters.
Nor will there be an advance till the means
of transportation are fully supplied. There will
be no stopping when the army receives orders
to move forward unless defeat should check it,
The day the lines of the rebel army are broken
will see an organized subsistence department
following our victorious forces, enabling them
to push forward without delay. 1t will be too
late then for the enemy TO think of entrenching
and terrifying. The master spirit that planned
the first campaign in Western Virginia and CON
cuded it within fortnight after the first for
ward movement, will drive the rebels southwark
with scarcely less rapIdity, when the army is
ready to take the offensive
These immense preparations, looking as well
to the impregnabiity of the present position as
the ability to wrest a neA one from the enemy
should check the Impotence of the people, and
inspire greater confidence in the ultimate result.
There is no idleness in the army, not even in
activity. Target practice is part of the daily
routine,as well as firing by platoons regiments
and even battalliOns From the squad drill of
raw recruits to the evolutions of battaons and
the movements of bngades, there is unceasing
activity. So perfect have some of the regime nts
become, that volleys are fired with the precIs-
ion an unity of a single piece Picket duty de-
wolves upon the best perfected regiment; they
are thrown forward upon the lines, and exposed
to the hazards of surprise by cavalry and infant
ry, and perfect their sk!rmish drill by actual
encounter with the enemy's outposts. Nj ucl,
as picket shooting is deplored, it has the signal
advantage Ofinuring men to danger Regiments
that have been frequently detailed on picket
have acquired the Coolness OF veterans and
rather seek the excitement of such en- Enterprises
than avoid it. AS new brgades are organized,
they are moved across the Potomac, aud assign
ed positions where skirmishlng IS a daily expe-
rience. Freshly arrived forces take their pl,t.
ces on the Maryland side, and act as reserves
till in condition to joiu the main body They
are frequently required to make long marches,
bivouac for night or two, throw out pickets,
and go through the routine OF duties that is re-
CURED IN an enemys country. In these, and
manifold other matters, the army OF the Po-
tomac is rounding into shape" and is becom-
ing something better than an armed mob
The army is wonderfully improved and by the
first of October hundred or more thousand
men will 60 out to battle in uniforms alike, in
GOODNESS, veterans, and in unity of action and
precision of movement, regulars. 1t is with
such force, so disciplined, SO equipped, 80 sup
Piled that the great blow which is to crush the
hears OF the rebellion is to be struck. Let u,
be patient.
Later From Europe.
ST JOINS, Sept %.
The Persia from Liverpool on the I4th inst