Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-07-23
The Confederate Army on the POtO-
mac---StreRgth of its Positions
General Beauregard.
[From the New Orleans Picayune.l


General Beauregard.
[From the New Orleans Picayunel
MANASSAS JUNCTION, Va, July Z, 1861.
This place still continues the headquarters
of the army of the Potomac. There are many
indications of an intended forward movement,
the better to invite the enemy to an engage
ment, but the work of fertilization still con-
tinues. BY nature, the position Is one of the
strongest that could have been found in the
whole State. About halfway between the
eastern spur of the Blue Ridge and the Poto-
mac. below Alexandria, it commands the
whole country between 50 perfectly that there
is scarcely possibility of its being turned.
The right wing stretches off toward the head
quarters of the Occoquan. through wooded
country, which is easily made impossible by
the telling of trees. The left is rolling ia
BILE land, easily commanded from the success
sive elevations, till you reach a country SO
rough and so rug led that it is defense to
itself. The key to the whole position. In fact
is precisely that point which Gen. Beauregard
chose for his center, and which he has fortified
so strongly that in the opinion of the military
men, 1000 men could there hold 10000 at
bay.
The position, 10 fact, is fortified, in part,
by nature herself. 1t is a succession of hills,
nearly equidistant from each other, in front
of which is ragine so deep and SO thickly
wooded that it is impossible only at two
points,an those through gorges which so men
can defend against a whole army. 1t was at
one of these points that the Washing ton Ar
tillery were at first encamped, and though
only half the battalion was then there, and
We had only one company OF infantry to sup
port Us, We slept as soundly under the pro
lection of our guns as If we had been in a fort
Of the amplest dimensions.
OF the Notifications superaddad here by
Gen. Beauregard to those of nature, it is, of
course, not proper for me 20 speak. The
general reader, in fact, will have sufficient
ly precise idea of them by conceiving a line
of forts some two miles in extent, zig-zag in
form, with angles, salients, bastions, case
mates. and everything that properly belongs
to works of this kind.
The strength and advantages of this posi-
ton at Manassas are very much increased by
the fact that fourteen miles further on is n
position OF similar formation, while the coun-
try between is admirably adapted to the sub
sistence and entertainment of troops ia num-
bers as large as they can be unanswered on
the real battlefield. Water is good and
abundant; forage such as is everywhere found
in the rich farming districts of Virginia, and
the communication with all parts of the coun-
try easy.
Here, overlooking an extensive plain wa
tered by mountain streams which ultimately
find their way to the Potomac, and divided
into verdant fields of wheat, and oats and
corn pasture and meadow are the headquar-
tiers of the advanced forces of the army of
the Potomac. They are South Carolinians,
Louisianians, Alabamians,, Mississippiaus
and Virginians for the most part; the first
| two, singular enough. being in fornt, and
| that they will keep it their friends at home
may rest assured. Never have / seen finer
| body of men-men who were more obedient
| to discipline or breathed a more self-sacrific-
| ing patriotism.
As might be expected from the skill with
which he has chosen bis position and the sys-
| tenn with which he encamps and moves his
men, General Beauregard is very popular
| here. doubt if Napoleon himself had more
the undivided confidence of his army. By
nature as also from wise policy, he is very
retieent. Not an individual here knows his
plans or a single move of regiment before
it is made, and then only the Colonel and
his men know where it goes to. There is not
q man here who can give anything like sat-
isfactory answer how many men he has or
where his exact lines are. For the distance
of fourteen miles around you see tents every
where, and from them you can make rough
estimate of his men, but how many more are
encamped on the by-roads and in forests none
can tell. The new conner, from what he sees
at first glance, puts down the number at
about 80 GOO men; those who have been here
longest estimate his force at 40, 900 or so 900,
and some even at 60, 900 strong. And there
is the same discrepancy as to the quantity of
his artillery. So close does the General keep
his affairs to himself, his left hand hardly
knows what his right hand doeth, and SO jeal-
Gus is he of this prerogative of command
ing officer that verify believe If be suspect
ed his coat of any acquaintance with the
plans revolving within him, he would cast it
from him.
The Generals quarters Is little farm
house, about fifteen feet by twenty, fronting
on one of the roads that lead to Alexandria,
The ground floor is divided into two rooms.
The front one is filed with desks, at which
clerks sit writing, or engaged in business of
varied character. The back one appears to
be used for storeroom and kitchen. Above
the same division continues, and the front
room is the Generals apartment. 1t Is about
fifteen feet long by ten wide. and hung with
maps of the State and county around. In
the center is plain pine table, on which lie,
neatly folded up, what the visitor would nat
urally take to be plans, specifications, sur
veys, geometrical drawings. etc., and by their
side military reports. Every thing has the
air of neatness. GOODNESS, and mathematical
calculations. OF course there is nothing in
the room but what pertains TO the Office, and
TO most eyes it would appear somewhat bare,
bot what tlere is, Is arranged wild so much
taste that the general impression is by no
means unpleasing.
The General is in his room the greater
part oil the day. apparently occupied with his
plans and reports. Then hour after hour be
sits alone by his neat little pine table, maps.
plans, and specifications before him, and
large open windows behind and GROUND him,
at first sight the cold, calculating, unsympa-
thizing mathematician. Every now and then
an aid enters with report or message, which
Is delivered in military style, deliberately ex.
amined in silence, the corresponding order
promptly written out or delivered in as few
words as possible, and our mathematical ice
berg is alone again. When q visitor drops
in, however, at leisure moment, the form
atty of the officer readily gives away to that
easy interchange of civilities which charac-
terizes our people at home, but nothing more.
Even at the table, when the General ia daily
surrounded by the most disting1i gentle
men of the country, there appears to be dis
lance which 1 suppose is natural 70 bis posi-
ton, but which is rarely found elsewhere.
The leading characteristic Of Gen. Bssurs-
CARDS mind Is ciearnsss OF perception. Sup