The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-03
Do NOT UNDERRATE THE ENEMY.

tits unquestIcnabiy true that the rebellion
forces in Virginia are much more numerous than
they have been hitherto accounted in quarters
North. Twenty days since, there we're less than
thirty thousand rebel troops in Virginia. The
men now in arms in that State, il reliance can
be placed in the most credible accounts, more
than double that number. With their head
quarters at Richmond, they have an advanced
camp strongly fortified, at Manassas Junction,
twenty-seven miles from Washnton, while their
extreme right rests upon Norfolk, the seaward
approach to which IS substantially impregnable
Between these points, they have, We Judge, not
less than forty thousand troops, threatening
Washington. All bodies of troops on this line
are in connection with each other by railway.
Besides these, they have the forces at Lees
burg, twenty five miles from Manassas Junction,
and the considerable force at Harper's Ferry,
which oppose our communications with the
Northwest. The two points last referred to are
net in connection by railway with the main body
Of their forces, and the enemy there posted lack
the material for rapid transportation. But they
may, nevertheless, after breaking up the Bati.
more and Ohio and the LOudOn and Hampshire
roads, Join the main body of the enemy further
south, or moving independently in this direction,
enable them to throw perhaps $4,000 troops
upon our lines around Washington. A long
DAYS march. twenty FIVE miles, brings the Lees.
burg troops upon the line of the Manassas Gap
railway; while, taking rail from Harpers Ferry
to Winchester, the troops at the Ferry may, by
a march Of eighteen miles, join the same road
at Strasburg. its terminus. The distance BY
rail to the Junction would be. for the former
troops, thirty-6ve miles; for the latter, twice
that distance. What the capacity of the road in
rolling stock NAV be, or what time would suffice
to move over it sach considerable bodies of men,
We are unable to say. 1t is certain, however,
thar with brave troops and ssilliu' officers they
ought to hold the very strong position at the
Junction till these reinforcements come up. 1t
might be supposed that it would be good fortune
to our cause to have the enemy await our onset
at Harper's Ferry, where defeat happening to
them, they might be so thoroughly routed as te
be unable to pursue their retreat. But it is un
derstood that they have at Harper's Ferry any
amount of rolling stock, engines and cars of the
Baltimore and Ohio road. sufficient, if it could
be made available on the Winchester railway, tt
carry off even the great body of troops they are
said to have there. The blowing up of the
bridge at Harper's Ferry, said to be mined woulC
effectually prevent any effectual molestation O
their retreat.
| This is no body of men to despise. All o
them are brave; some have had discipline il
camp. Their arms are in the main good, de
| fectve in some Instances, but all efficient il
brave mems hands. With this body of mel
lying in front Of us, We NAV 5e!ieve that vi
have stern work to DO In the enemy's camp
tho word on every soldiers lip is, washing
ton +! Forward to Washington :" The forwart
march in this direction will be somewhat trou
olesome We have, encamped on both sides o
the Potomac, near forty thousand men, the fines
body Of men that have vet stood to arms in thi
country, men animated with a stern and uncon
querable purpose to vindicate their Government
to sustain their flag, and to march over the dea
body Of every traitor in arms. With commis
sairat fast approaching perfection. they are le
by officers Of ability and conduct, at their hea
q chieftain who has never lost battle, who's
sense Of eye and ear has no, been dimmed b.
the flashing artillery and the rolling drums Of
hundred battle fields. With the "eagie eye q
art" be is watching the moves ard purposes Q
the enemies clustering On the Southern horizon
his heart swells with pride and JOY as he hear
the cheers Of the brave and devoted soldier
around him, and who will 60 to death at his con
mand because they know his prudence will re
quire of them no needless sacrifice.
Let cur brave soldiers restrain their imps
tience. The battle before US is not to be fcugt
with hundred thousand men. As the war a.
vaEces, q column of three times that numbs
will move with steady step to certain victory
the South. They are the missionaries OF peac
: and freedom. They 60 to restore to the peop
of the Southern States the rights which hors
riding, slave driving aristocracy have sought
take from them-NatiorHl Repx6liean.