The national Republican., 1861-05-15
THE SITUATION,


The number of troops in camp in Virginia, is
not estimated higher than 10000, principally
raw levies, and many Of them poorly armed.
They are scattered at Harper's Ferry, Lynch.
burg, Richmond, Norfolk, &C., and to concen.
trate them and maintain them in mass at any
one point is quite beyond the means of the
conspirators.
On the side of the national Government,
there is the great force in this city, in commu.
nication, (now that Baltimore is occupied
with the North, by three lines, viz: the Poto
mac, uia Annapolis, and ria Baltimore.
Under these circumstances, we anticipate the
early occupation Of such adjacent portions Of
Virginia, as can be reached and held with the
means Of transportation at command, and the
opening of the communication with the West
ria Harper's Ferry.
That portion of Virginia which lies opposite
and above us on the Potomac, is inclined to be
loyal, and would be glad to be relieved Of the
reign ofterror which now oppresses it, but which
can only be shaken of with the aid of the ma
tional forces.
This is not q war against an organized Gov.
ernmsnt, to be signalized by great campaigns.
1t is war to repress rebellion, which has no
great armies, and really few resources, and
which is to be put down by dispensing insurgent
bands, after the fashion in which Captain Lyon
snutfed out insurrection at st. Louis. This re-
bellion would become a settled war, if time
enough was given to it to harden into one, but
that will not be allowed.
What has been accomplished by the Admin
istration since the Presidents proclamation Of
April Is, in only one month, is really won.
derful.
Missouri has been saved by armng and or.
ganizing the Union men Of St. Louis.
The Union men of Western Virginia, of
Maryland, and Of Kentucky, are being organ.
lied and armed
Maryland is occupied and thoroughly pro-
tected against any enterprises which may be
attempted by the secessionists within her Dor.
der, who, although minority Of her popula-
ton, are numerous and desperate.
That strategic point, Cairo, which holds
in check Kentucky, and Tennessee, and Ar
kansas, is fully occupied.
This capital has not only been defended, but
now swsrms with troops, numerous enough, or
soon to be SO, to expel the insurrectionists
from the best portions of Virginia.
Thirty days ago, the conspirators undoubt.
edly expected to embrace fourteen States with.
in their Confederacy, and not without some
reason, as we now know from the recent de.
velopments in Maryland and Missouri. Both
of those States would have been lost, but for
the vigor Of the precautionary measures Of
the Government.
NEW FASHIONS OF CARRYING ON
WAR.
During the Russian war, we sent commits
sion Of military gentlemen to the Crimea, to
see how Europeans fought. We should not be
surprised if the compliment is returned, and
if Louis Napoleon and Victoria send some
Generals and Majors across the Atlantic, to
see how Americans fight. If that is done,
Europe will receive some new ideas in the art
OF warfare.
At Fort Pickens as matters existed down to
the I'd of May, as described by officers who left
on that day in the Illinois, Bragg's forces were
proceeding undisturbed in various innocent op
erations, such, for example, as casting cannon
balls, Immediately under the guns of For,
Pickens, without any apprehension, or appar
f emily any danger, of being disturbed. The
same forces were receiving their supplies Of
food, and indeed, of everything except arms
and powder, by water from Mobile by vessel,
passing under the same inoffensive guns O
Fort Pickens, and also of the American feet
AS, if Bragg's forces were not supplied by water
it would have been expensive to supply then
by land,it would have been rude to have CLOSED
, the harbor against them.
, On the 7th of May, as it seems, two vessel
! from Mobile, loaded with provisions were act
ually stopped by the American feet although
this was done, as is reported, against the judg
ment of one Of our naval commanders No
body apparently suggesting any such extreme
measure as seizing the enemy's provisions, th'
| vessels returned to Mobile.
, 1t is proper to be said, that General Brag,
t has manifested equal poiteness, as all account
of the recent reinforcement of Fort Pickens
: agree that the landing of men and supple
( proceeded unmolested under his guns.
i THE PRESS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA
The Western Virginidn, published at Grai
ton, says:
Il "We have argued this subject of secession
l. IN all its various phases in fair, candid, ant
n conciliatory spirit endeavorng, as best W.
- could, TO show to our fellow citizens, of North
western Virginia, that there is no cause for tn
e | seCeRsinn of this nther Staia. tLat