The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-08-02

born at the North, has lived in Virginia
all his life, and despite protested neu-
traliy shows strong leanings towards
the Southern cause. He is man of
good educa ion, and his views we're
expressed with such candor and clear
ness, as to command the attention of our
whole party. Having kept himself
strictly at home, land mcddlcd with the
affairs of neither side, he has been mo-
Tested by neither; al hough it has somc-
times happened that officers Of both
armies have partaken of his hospitality
in one day, at different hours.
Our conversation was long, and EN-
braced many points of intercs;, the three
or four colonels OF our party taking part
in 1t. Mr.. Jones says that Mcclellan
made fatal mistake when he sat himself
down before Yorktown with his 1907 900
men to dig trenches. lie should have
pushed right on to Richmond. which lay
entirely at his mercy. There we're not
more than 5000 Rebel soldiers on the
Peninsula then, some 5000 having been
sent 10 Norfolk to defend it against the
anticipated attack of Burnside. But as
soon as our army halted and began to
open trenches, an immense Rebel force
was concentrated from all points at
Richmond and on the Peninsula. The
Rebel leaders determined to make their
final stand at their capital, and massed
their men so as to sweep over Mcclellan
like an avalanche. An edics of uniyer-
sal CONSUMPTION was made, and the whole
male popula ion at the Sou h, between
the ages of lG and IS, was brought into
the field. Those from As to 90 were
organized for the defense of the cities
and towns, and to do duty anywhere
within ten miles from their suburbs
Thus in very short time large force,
more or less etfec i've, was organlzed.-
But these men have not all muskcts nor
even shot-guns but pixies, knives,
swords, anything that could be used as
u weapon of offensc or defense, have been
placed in their hands. There are at this
moment at least the best of these lcvics
in aud about Richmond, aud everything
will be staked upon the chances of its
defense. If it should be found that we
are massing force large enough to take
the city, it will be quietly evacuated, as
Yorktown and Manassas were, and new
line Of defense, already chosen, will be
occupied. The Rebel leaders keep them
selves constantly advised of our move
mcnts, knowing the exact force of each
regiment which joins Burnside or McClel-
Ian, and will carry out their plans when
the proper time arrives.
Petersburg has been strongly fortified,
and is we'll garrisoned. For about "a
miles this bank of the James is as healthy
as any portion of Virginia above that
the lowland commences, and the country
is very ma!arious. Opposite City Pont,
and in the vicinity of IIarrison's Bar, it
is as unhealthy as Havana, the banks of
the Gangcs, or the coast of Africa and
our Army will suffer incredibly if it lies
there.
Mr.. Jones says that while professedly
neutral, England and France give secret
aid and comfort to the South. Envious
of the power of the United States, they
wait for its over brow. They have sold
enormous quantities of arms and NUM-
tons of war to the South, and have
large contracts yet untitled. The inva-
sion of Mexico has for one of its objects
the supply of warlikc munitions aud the
necessities and luxuries of life to the
Rebel States, which are to be struggled
across the Mississippi whenever favora-
BILE opportunities offer.
Such, in substance, are the views of an
intelligent Virginia planter, whose inter-
ests are wholly, and sympa HES mainly,
with the Rebel cause. While it cannot
be denied that a vein of exaggeration
runs through the whole, there are some
truths herein contained which it would
be well for us to appreciate. Notwiih-
s!aEding numerous severe lessons, we
are still guilty Of the egregious folly of
Understanding our foe, and this war
will never end until we learn be ter.
There can be no question but that the
Rebels have now drafted their entire
arms bearing white population, and that
If they have any very serious reverses
theycan never repair them, unless-do
you realize this l-unless they use their
negroes. They are gamblers who have
stakcd their all upon the turn of a card.
Not a man or musket more can be brought
into the field. If they win Richmond
they gain time, which they regard as
infinitely precious, since it opens way
for foreign interference. If they lose
they have nothing but ruin and despair
before them. But they will fight on
until they are forced to quail before the
National power, or until the last chance
of European aid has vanished from their
sight.
Except the Rebel redoubts and breast
works now half washed away aud over
grown with monstrous garget and other
weeds, and the few marks of shot and
bullets in ruined houses, no vestiges of
the battle of'Big Bethel remain. When
we emerged from the cover of woods
which hide the field as one approaches
from the river, the battle-ground of Big
Bethel. lay before us, and we drew rein
to take the whole in at a view. 10 the
left, relieved against back ground of
dark foliage, we're three small. earth
works-redoubts, strictly spcaking-so
Insignificant that anywhere charge of
infantry could be made over ditch and
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