The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-13
WIN. +. bEMAREST.
The REBEL ARMY or THE POTOMAC.

WIN. 7. DEMAREsT.
The REBEL ARMY or THE POTOMAC.
TOPOGRAPHY AND POPULATION.
FAIRFAX, Sept. 10, 1861
From the region OF the Chain bridge in the direction Of
the Upper Potomac find the country much less broken
and rugged lhnn before Arlington Heights. II is also under
better cultivation the soil is betterespecally for fruit
aud tho cereal gransand the horses and cattle larger,
finer and faer Tho people, moreover are of better
class longer been in possession Of their estates aud
consequently families, have deeper interest in them
The late occupants oil the soil in owor Fairfax county and
The Virginia side OF the old District OF Columbia were for
the part from New Jersey, whGsDouglt
tho Old WORKOUT lands, in the vicinity OF the federal
capital at low price fow years since, and were busy
making most out Of them when the war opened upon
them. The most Of then originally sympathized with
the Northern army, or became committed TO II In its
advance and afterwards lod with it.
Not so with the people OF loudon and other counties
above Most Of the prescott occupants OF the soil inherit
from their fathers as "a did from their fathers be-
fore them, and with te Inheritance ali the pride and
careful farming which attaches TO family possession
found their houses and barns, therefore, in good
diton their nelds wei idowed ana Their orchards OF
apples, pears and po'chs wn filed with ripe, gushing
fruit The vines also hung nl Of luscious grapes, and
everything indicated prosperous and concnted people.
Only few come Ike those in the neghborhood
of Washington have io cn the country, and probably
but few who remain in have been disposed any time
TO give aid and comfort 10 thu enemy Nor have they
been tcmpet, pit By occasional invading parties from
the other side. II is not believed even that tho
joriy q the people OF Maryland on the opposite shore,
have appear in favor OF the black republican
long they have Northern army in their midst.
This army has never at any time been very large, but
Sufficient TO silence unarmcd country people. The
condition OF poor farmer surrounded by a family de-
pendent upon him, IA the midst Of an Invading army
is miserable and helpless in the extreme Whatever
may be his political symathics personal disiikes he
is compelled to the most abcct silence 10 give food
and lodging to those upon whom he may ,ok rs HIS
and countrys oprressors. This was tho with thou
sands the Virginia side OF tho Potomac during the ad
vance of the Northern army and 1t would be strange If
i was not so to great extent III Maryland 1t is FOLLY
the spirit that would dictate IT, II Is clearly impossible
II would thereby lay himself liable to anl impri-
sonment and his family to insult and Punishment, while
his and their home would BE- made desolate.
The usual course in snch has been for the head of
the family, one of tbs combatant members of the
same, TO remain quietly At home while those capable of
bearing arms entered the army. II thus the nvad
Found only old men ana women in their advance on
Manassas here in Virginia, and presume the same IL the
in Maryland Indeed, we know very well from tn,
numerous enisments from the other side into army,
that this is the Already there are at least three
thousand lighting Mylanders DONG service in midst,
and very many q them ar from the counties the OPP
poste shore Of the upper Potomac.
HOW THE POTOMAC Is TO BE CROSSED.
The Upper Potomac for he distance of many miles be-
tween Leesburg and the fails below, fcrdabie many
places the whole year round, except during very high
water. At present. however, tho water is very low and
learn from the country people, will continue to grow
lower till about the 10Th 18th Of November For the
space OF six weeks therefore, military operations be
carried with perfect safety both sides of tho river
We have passed the rainy season and already entered
upon the dry Many Of the mountain stll full
from the effect OF passing showers, but their contrbu
tons have but little influence upon the river For nearly
two weeks has been easy for large bodies Of
to at the principal ords and within tine space
Of two weeks more am as urcd, it will become fordabc
at almost every point. The current in many places
is rapid at all times, but tho bottom s Arm and the
water shallow. well equipped army. moreover
has thousand advantages In the passage Of river
over the common country people, who cannot fords
at Will. From my observations and what the neigh
boring people have told me- the refore have no doubt
lsn In IvSifh hya
large anil well appointed army, al almost any place he
tween Leosburg and the falls and any time between this
and the first OF November without danger Of being cut
of from the base OF its operations Should the people Of
Maryland, indeed prove ~ true to rs we have reason
TO believe that State might Of Itself easily BIC made the
base oil operations Especially would this be the If
the recent successes OF General Lee result in driving the
invader completely Of the soil Of Northwestern Virginia.
and gaining possession ag.n of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad from Grafton down. The enemy would then be
completely checkmated on all siies-at Harpers Ferry,
at oesburg, at Arlington Heights and at Aisxsndria-
while the union of the two victorious armies would
drive the oppressors OF Maryland back To their soil
HOW GENERAL MCCLELLAN INTENDS TO BLOW UP
WASHINGTON AND RETREAT.
II IS not believed here, indeed, that the enemy will
make any very decisive stand anywhere but Will blow up
The Capitol buildings and abandon Washington our nrst
advance
THE YANKEES WON'T FIGHT.
They have not the mon, sud cannot get them and ii
they could they could not make them stand The mode.
rate people Of families and substance have interest in
continuing the support OF this black Republican war
against every principle Of JUSTICE and without the posi-
by Of bringing the conclusion they first propos
ed and viii not do it, further than they compelled to
b. the presence Of superior force Our advance, there
FORE VIII not only be the emancipation Of all good people
from the unheard Of tyranny now regning in the North
Throughout yland shall be hailed AZ army Of
deliN efrrs
The shore OF the Lower Potomac below Alexandria is
even rough and rugged than that above II 30
difficult for heavy artillery indeed that the direction OF
the nvai army was changed after IT began is march
only days bsfore the battle Of the 2i- July
With the OF the shore vicinity
of Alexandria, all hs rough country Is held by U.s. and
can be made strong position for further operations at
the time it furnishes abundant forage for the army
Of occupation. From thence, also, under the protection
Of batteries in progress Of erection al along the Virginia
shore army safely be moved the river into
Lower Maryland as above. Washington would then be
anked both sides, seeing the danger Of being cut
of from communication with Annapolis and Baltimore,
the dspos there enthroned would not long discuss the
propricty Of retreat II is doubtful, indeed, II they
could ke army there gy without the risk OF losing
large portion e em pri oners, and all their stores
artillery and ANN milton enthusiastically army
50 demoralized as that which ed in panic FROM Bull
As to the people Of Lower Na-yand there can be no
doubt Of their almost unanimous sympathy with our
cause. They have favored from Tie beginning and
continue 10 favor the h lie people in the mos ma ed
manner aud frequently at the risk OF their lives Their
country indeed, is nearly the only one through
which fugitivcs from the North rea their homes
and friends IN tho Confederate States with safety An
army Of deycrance Oh az we shall be in condi.
ton to send them, would everyWh be hailed with rap
ture aud joy. They would moreover, furnish TO US Of
their abundance the moJus Tor further prosecuting the
war II necessary.
wIErERING SOUTH or THE POTOMAC.
1t appears from the following tlat the Goa has besn
promulgated by teegra to the southern pr5ss that the
rebel army viii 80 into wiaer quarters south Of the Pc
tonac river The Savannah Ns@S, abiding TO this des
patch, says
il Is calculated 10 have most depressing effect on the
minds OF our people. Since the commencement OF the
war We have not recC} cd more unwecoe more unex
pected news.
SICKNESS IN THE REBEL RANgs
From the Charleston Mercury
The terrible sanitary Cou ii.u Of our army upOn The
Potomac is matter OF painful interest to tho whole PEG
PIE IN tho Confederate Sat9s. There few In the Con
Tolerate sat who have net near relatives Manassas
Or ~ the Mississippi and these who have not should b
lhee themselves. The frighul condition Of the camp ii
subject u universal interest and alarm
UNION PRISONERS IN THE REBEL STATES.
Prom Vie Mobile Tribune, Sept, 80