The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-10-25
Condensed BY the Salem Gazette.
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

Last week was rather blue ono, with OIL
most no bright spot to relieve its sombre
hue. No great disaster has befallcn the ma
tional cause, and its general aspects afford
solid ground Of hope and confidence for the
future, but series of little, unexpected sue
ccsses by the rebels have vexed and di'pirited
the people and proportionally raised the
courage of the enemy. A successful attack
upon our feet in the Mississippi by rebel
expedition from New Orleans, Of which we
haveas yet imperfect and unreliable accounts;
the escape Of steamer from Charleston,
CARRYING confederate ministers to France and
England surprise attack on our forces on
Santa Rosa island, of Pensacola, by the
rebels, inaicting considerable damage; the
renewed obstruction of the Potomac; some
slight successes of the rebels in Missouri,
with tho small prospect that Gen. Fremont
will be able to compel them to general en-
gagement; the retreat Of our forces in west
ern Virginia; and the increasing prospects
that tho enemy in Virginia will only fight
behind their Entertainments, and that there
will consequently be no decisive action there,
and no material change in the position OF
things around Washington during the sea.
son-these are some Of the unpleasant facts
and features ofthe campaign presented during
the week. In the new and formidable coast
cxpcdition about starting, however; in a
brilliant and successful little battle near
Harper's Ferry; and in the ciIectual check
given to the rebels in Kentucky, We have
some compensation.
WASHINGTON AND VICINITY.
Ii is evident from the result OF the recon-
noissances made by General McClclan's
forces for the past few days that the lines Of
the rebel army IRE broken up, and that the
whole front has changed its position. That
they have abandoned Leesburg is certain, and
withdrawn from Vienna, Fairfax Court
House and Annadale, 50 that their front now
extends from Aqua Greek on the Potomac,
to Bull Run and Manassas Junction, with
Fairfax and Ccntreville, occasionally occu-
pied Us outposts. A large body Of their
forces has been also thrown forward in the
direction of Shipping Point, where they
maintain an efficient battery. This move
mcnt is probably to protect themselves FROM
an attack by the Union army in that direc-
ton. Some apprcnsions were felt in Wash
incton that the main body Of the rebels
was about to be transferred to Kentucky for
winter quarters, as the resources Of Virginia
were inadequate to the maintenance OF 30
yast force, in which event the theatre oil
war would necessarily be removed from its
present site in front Of General McClcllans
army to new point. 1t was said that the
rebel troops are very much discontontcd with
their present inactivity; that they are un'
willing to make their winter quarters in Vir'
rinia, and demand either to be sent home or
10 march into the State Of Kentucky, where
they expect to find abundance Of comfort Tor
the approaching severe season.
TIE POTOMAC.
The Potomac appears at last to have been
nearly closed by the rebels to oil except our
vessel, of war-all merchant craft being
afraid to run the gauntlet Of their batteries.
Fleets Of vessels with government stores are
living in the lower part Of the river, afraid
to venture up; and on Saturday, rs the
steamer rcsolute was going up with two yes
sels in tow, tho hawscr attached to schr.
Fairfax broke and she drifted in shore. The
rebels put of in boats and captured the
schooner, which was ladcncd with hay, an
article very much wanted in Washington ut
the present time.
Most of the new batteries are placed above
the range Of the guns Of our steamers. and
cannot be silcuced except by land attack.
The motives assigned for the planting of
these batteries is iwo-iold. The stoppage Of
navigation and an ultimate intention to
throw secession troops over into Maryland.
As the matter now stands. two differences
can be drawn from the course pursued by the
government. We may conclude that an 90
casional shot fred at our vessels In passing,
or an embargo on the navigation OF the river
for day or two, is not thought to DO Of 20
much consequence as It is to let the rebels
divide their strength in men and guns DO