The national Republican., 1861-06-01
THE PROSPECTS OF FIGHTING.

HE fhOSGEClo VI L flOh lNp
The probabilities of any considerable fight.
ing in this war diminish daily, and those who
desired the excitement Of grand battle, are
certainly destined to be disappointed.
All the indications point to the euemy's re.
treat from Harper's Ferry, while his forces at
Norfolk are too in considerable, not exceeding
1000 men, to admit Of important combats, if
even it is not the policy Of those who control
the national armies, to force an evacuation
there, as at Harper's Ferry, by the display of
overwhelming forces, and by menacing the
enemys retreat.
The enemy's probable concentration for the
defence Of Richmond, affords, perhaps, the best
chance for q collision, if that is desirable, be-
tween considerable forces, but it is doubtful,
whether, with the decentralization attending re.
treats to that point, the enemy could keep to.
gether there as many as 25,OO9 men.
Compared with the enemy's force actually in
the service, the national force is unnecessarily
large, but on that point, many considerations
are to be taken into the account.
Because more troops are called out than are
used, Or than there is use for it by no means fol-
lows that it was not wise to call them out.
That armies exist, and are known to exist,
is frequently the precise reason that they do not
seem to be needed. Manifested power super
sedes the necessity Of actual blows.
The ENEMY IN VIRGINIA.-In his message
at the commencement of the late session of the
Montgomery Congress, Mr.. Davis stated that
the Confederates then had $4,000 men en-
route for Virginia" He referred to the original
seven Confederate States, and as Florida and
Texas have sent none, the number can only be
made out by an average Of more than 5000 from
each Of the remaining five States. Louisiana has
to this time, according to the New Orleans
Delta, sent only 2,lOO. South Carolina has sent
but two regiments. There is no reason to be.
lieve that any one of these States has sent up
as many as 5000 men.
The 10000 may possibly be made good from
the States which have since Joined the Confed-
eracy. Tennessee has sent one regiment; North
Carolina has sent besides few Cherokee In.
dians, two regiments to the line of Virginia, at
Weldon. In addition to these, there are bands
from Maryland, Kentucky, and the city of Wash.
ington, co operating in what called the defence
of Virginia.
The PRESBYTERIAN OLD SCHooL) GENERAL.
AssEMBLY.-In this body, now in session at
Philadelphia, one of the very few national as.
sociations which have escaped disruption on
the slavery question, the following resolutions
were adopted on Thursday by vote of l54
to sc:
Resolred, That in view Of the present agi.
tated and unhappy condition of this country,
the fourth day OF July next be hereby set apart
as day Of prayer throughout our bounds and
that on this day ministers aud people are called
on humbly to confess and bewail their national
SINS and to offer our thanks to the Father OF
Light for His abundant and undeserved good
ness towards us as nation, to seek His gui
dance and blessing upon our rulers and their
councils, as well as the assembled Congress oil
the United States, and to implore Him, in the
name Of Jesus Christ, the great High Prizes,
Of the Christian profession, to turn away His
anger from us, and speedily restore to us the
blessings of a safe and honorable peace.
"Resolred, That, in the judgment of this AS
sembly, it is the duty ofthe ministers and church
es under its care to do all its power to promote
and perpetuate the integrity of the United
States, and to strengthen, uphold and encour
age the Federal Government in the just exer
else Of all its functions, under our noble Con
stitution.'
THE GRAFTON ARMY.-The disunion force
took possession of Grafton in the night of Sat
| Tha nhoh
them, in their night clothes. Their estimate
which is a starlight and frightened estimate
makes the attacking force 1900 men. The Sta,
of yesterday will not admit beyond 25O. W,
adhere, as yet, TO the original statement of two
companies.
16y- The New York Commercial stout,
denies, that there is any such brigade as tn,
"Sickles brigade 1t says that Mr.. Sickle
has partially raised one regiment.
Da5- In his proclamation, May &c, to West
ern Virginia, Gen. Mcclellan says
"The General Government has heretofore
carefully abstained from sending troops acros
the Ohio, or even from posting them along it
banks, although frequently urged by many 0
your prominent citizens to do so.
at determined to await the result of tn
State election, desirous that no one might b
r able to say that the slightest effort had bee
r made from this side to influence the free ex
preston Of your opinions, although the man
agencies brought TO bear upon you by the rebel
were well known. You have now shown, ur
a der the most adverse circumstance that tn
= great mass of the people of Western Virgini
are true and loyal to the benefceut Cover
ment under which we and our fathers have live
so long