Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-10-01
The Situation.

The affairs of the Southern Confederacy were
never more encouraging and hopeful than ut the
present time. If the President and his Cabi-
net, and the Congress, will keep a sharp eye
upon the situation and will increase force to its
requisite number, will provide efficiently for the
clothing, food, and health of the army, and make
the necessary arrangements for transportation, &c.
we confidently indulge the hope that Lincon's back
will be broken before the close of the campaign
The announcement that our entire force had re-
tired from Maryland after the fiery conflict at Sharps-
burg, produced most chilling effect upon the South.
But as the smoke and mist are being removed, the
confidence of our people is reviving. When all
the facts are brought to light all doubt Of our sue
cess will be removed, whatever differences may exist
as to the policy of attempting to iberate Maryland
or Of invading the North.
1t is by no means certain, indeed, it would ap-
pear an erroneous idea, that Gen. Lees movement
into Maryland was designed in the outset to invade
Pennsylvania, only so far feint to draw off from
Washington and Baltimore the large force Of the
emy collected in that region. With our paucity Of
numbers, our small and inadequate means of trans
portation, scarcity of provisions and munitions of
war, and the great distance it would throw our ar
my from its base with SO formidable force in its
rear the idea of forcing column into Pennsylvania
at this juncture for purposes of conquest would
seem to be impolitic. We conclude, therefore, the
real object of Gen. Lee was to obtain the rear OF
Washington cut of its resources by land, draw out
McClellans troops for easy defamation, in Or
der that he might fall upon those Cities first and
make them an easy prey, and for the purpose Of
testing fully the temper of the people of Maryland
He can certainly have no design to press into the
North until those Cities are in our possession.
The capture and surrender of Harpers Ferry and
the battles of Middleton and Sharpsburg, have ma
terially weakened Mcclellan, and Gen. Jackson's
overwhelming defeat Of Burnside at Shepherdstown
since has given the enemy foretasts Of wha. he
may expect from that intrepid and resistess General
What is the real position of our army at present
is difficult to ascertain. Our losses have been heavy,
and the scarcity of provisions may have produced
temporary change in Gen. Lees plans, but we look
with certainty for glorious winding up Of the win.
ter campaign in Maryland.
There are, however, indications of purpose on
the part of the enemy to draw off the attention of
our forces from Maryland to another point 1t is
given out that the enemys gunboats are leaving the
neighborhood of Washington, and We should not be
surprised to hear of another movement upon Rich
,nond or some other important point with small
portion of McClellan's large force.
From Western Virginia. Kentucky and Tennessee
we have the most cheering accounts. We look
ing for stirring times from every part of our army
Tho ro,dar will find our teegraphic dispatches un.
usually interesting and encouraging.