New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-09-12

LEE1SGro';, EY., Aug. =, lS61.-I have Just this
cay returned from long, tedious and dangerous,
hut thorough ramlle over the Southern COnied-
eracy, undertaken 1or the purpose O. estimating
the full extent of the strength, facilities, prepara
tion and disposition Of the Iebels well as Of as
ceHaining their intentions and prospects, and what
degree Of cohesion they possess. My tour has teeu
N the highest degree successful. And hasten at
this, MY first opportunity, and with all possible dis
patch, to appr!se yon OF scheme, detected by the
utmost vigilance and discovered from the most
Authentic and unmistakable source which, in ex-
ceAenGe of conception and magnitude and gran
deUr OF execution, i capable of success, exceeds
anything OF the kind ever devised. Omtting all
ailuslon to all minor circumstances that may have
met my observation, ] shall confne my remarks
briefly to sketch of the outlines of this grand
machination.tor it is truly, daring and splendid
plot Day after day, night after night, | have
iolleG to learn it: watched and waited, and lis
tened and prowled. There must he a plan, a great
ana decided plan Of operations, under discussion
knew it, anu must have it. Publish spread
it broadcast over the whole North--crcpate it
from print to rrnt-let it be sounded loud in the
ears OF the Cabinet and let every man know it
and prepare eedily for the mighty struggle.
The Administration at Washington, anG ali its
officials, both military and civil, have confined
their attention altogether too strictly to matters
and movements OF trivial value, and to strategies
covering but small area of territory. They are
not comprehensive enough Not so with the
rebels. They must do or die. And from the very
start they have concocted and matured definite,
tangible, extensive and desperate project. While
our Government is pursuing desultory system of
tactics, molesting the enemy with insignificant
damage, penetrating his territory at scattered and
unimportant points, and d1usng its forces over
untenable spots, thereby weakening the efficacy
of the army and exhausting its spirits, the rebel
leaders are engaged in the execution of design
deep laid, wide spread, long cherished, steadily
adhered to, and which shall sweep at one signal
from the Atlantic to Kansas. 1t is necessary to
speak thus plainly, however disagreeable it may
be. The Government is not fully aroused to its
highest interests and impending peril; it is not
Vi9ant and expeditions enough, nor broad enough
in the range Of its visions and operations. Hence
this gigantic scheme for its destruction has escaped
its suspicion. 1t is the united invention of John
ston, Davis, Beauregard and Lee. Prior to the
battle OF Manassas, it only meditated now it
Is being vigorously acted upon. Had they been
defeated, it is impossible to say what would have
been their course. They had alternative for
disaster All staked upon victory; and upon
that issue alone they calculated. The struggle
cured Just at the precise time they desired most
to have it. All their RNerionS, advance, counter
marches, retreats and articles were employed to
bring it on just then. The service Of the three
months volunteers was just expiring; and they
hoped to defeat them, so completely to demoralize
them as to render them useless or make it neGes-
pcrate. Now follows the critical iancture. WASH
lngt0n, by the departure Of these troops, would be
lett IL much more exposed condition than be-
fore.
The plan is to threaten an attack on that city