Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-08
Especial Correspondence Of ire Chicago Time 81
From Washington.
wAsnlserox. November 80.

The delay in the movement of the army may
be easily explained The same cause which in
tervened to prevent General Mcclellan crossing
the Upper Potomac have presented themselves as
insurmountable barriers for a month past to Gen.
Burnside on the Lower Potomac. his severe ex-
perience proves too truly how bis predecessor was
hampered in Washington, and on whose shout
ders justly falls the responsibility of all these de-
lays. The President, seemingly not satisfied
with Gen. Burnsde's excuses, visited him as he
did General Mcclellan, and has seen for himself
that the authorities at Washington and their in
efficient suborlinates alone responsible. On
Friday night Gen. Burnside came to this city and
had long interview with Gen. Halleck, the Pres
ident and Gen. Meigs.
He told them plainly that the Quartermaster's
Department and Engineer Corps had been greatly
at fault, and had prevented his movement across
the RappahanOck until the rebel army had be
come fortified on its opposite bank for deter
mined resistance Ii this state of things could
not be remedied Immediately, he minated that
either his resignation could be accepted, or that
of the Quartermaster General demanded. These
two branches Of the service have been as deficient
now, and for a month past, as q the time sue
ceeding the Maryland battles But it is fortunate
for the truth of history, that these unanswerable
facts appear after the removal of Gen Mcclellan
they did before il; and sith what irresistible
evidence, then, is the Islander hurled back at the
radicals that he was responsible for the delay in
October. Who Is responsible, let me ask, for the
delay i'm all of November?
When Gen. Burnside commenced his move
ment from Warrenton towards Fredericksburg,
he was promised faithfully that he pontoon
bridges should be there from Washington soon
he arrived, in order that crossing OF the river
and the occupancy of the latter city might be
effected without delay. This was uniulfilled, and
coupled also with delays in the transportation of
II flso
faults have Just been remedied In the mean
time the rebels have got their army massed be-
| hind notifications, and are determined on stout
resistance there, to say nothing OF their resOlu
ton to contest the step inch by inch from the
| first battle ground on the Rappahanock to the
rebel capital But instead of this state of affairs,
/ Blu rnsde hoped to move right on towards Rich
mOnd, reaching the important and strategic point
of Hanover Junction before the rebels could move
all of their army, these two important rail
roads at that point. Now the enemy has
cured both of these advantages, which even one
battle and his defeat cannot oyerturn. The cut
ting of the GordOnsyile railroad at that junction
would have been most damaging blow 10 the
enemy, preventing the retranspOrtarlon OF his
supplies from GOr,lOnsve and deriving him of
the fall crops i'm the Valley of Virginia. But,
though the country is made to suffer, the blame
is placed just where it belongs, and Gen Burn
sides triumphant vindcatiOn OF his course Is 4
most fitting approval of that of Gen Mcclellan
under precisely similar circumstances.
Congress meets tomorrow. A more gloomy
set of Senators and Representatives we're never
cOngregated here. Many of the former visit
| Washington for the last time, for the verdict of
the people desires them in future at home. Aside
from this they look gloomily on the aspect of
affairs, and are talking louder about. and de
nouncng harder than any one else would dare to-
the mbecility that has brought this particular
crisis at the door of the nation Some who
olamored for emancipation see that two months
of trial have produced nothing. and that, if any
thing could be gained by it either way. the rebels
have only become more determined and united
while the North has become more divided, and
the Administration less active. But, notwith-
standing this slight consolation is afforded by
repeated promises that something will soon be
accomplished by the army.
The release of the political prisoners from the
forts and the Old Capitol has been forced on the
Administration by long outraged public opinion.
Some Of the arrests have been made on the most
trivial and ridiculous charges. involving neither
crime nor disloyalty. During the past week
thirty out of fifty cases examined here were dis
charged, simply for the reason that there were no
charges against them And yet the Administra-
ton journals drawl out the pteous cry that 1.-THE
party has suffered from these arrests" How long
will it have TO do penance for those who have sut-
iered in dungeons without evidence and without
ohargei
The murder of Hon. Robert E. Scott. of Vr
ginia, last spring, by a company of Bienker's
men while under Mcdowell, is now undergoing
investigation here in the of inquiry. and at
tracts much interest Mr. Scott well known
in Washington, and in fact throughout the coun
try. AS a ripe scholar, fine orator and decided
Union man, having opposed secession before and
after il was accomplished His former politics
were of the Wing party. He was the only South
ern man who offered, but declined, seat in
the present Cabinet, and your correspondent was
present at public reception here at which Mr..
Lincoln and Mr. Scott first met The latter was
Il most accomplished gentleman. and was quite
surprised when the President elect entered i'm
medately into a discussion on their respective
nights, and insisted measuring before the com
ptny of ladies' and gentlemen present. Ever
aiterward no one could ever prevail on him to
give an opinion of the President.
Simon Cameron has informed his friends here
that he is a candidate for the U. 5. Senate from
PENNSYLVANIA, and that he has little or no doubt
of his election The situation is precisely SINH
lar To that when Cameron was elected to the
Senate over Forney in 1858. and rumor is rife
that the same appliances " will be used how
, as then. He has not resigned as Minister to
Russia.