The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-10-24
The Rebellion in Virginia.

IL has now been over month since the
battle of Antietam was fought, and no move
menu Of importance, since that memorable
contest. have taken place in the Army OF the
Potomac. This state Of things cannot long
exist, without great advantage to the rebels.
For however much some may think that time
/, an advantage to us. that the rebels cannot
hold out for great length Of time, without
becoming exhausted in men and means, oil
history teaches that rebelliOns gather strength
and magnify in proportions, with every day
Of their duration.
Il is matter TO be regretted that the in.
activity Of our forces, is ut the very point
where the greatest activity ought to prevail.
Let battles DO fought and won or lost, at
other points, so long a, the army under Gen.
Lee is able to hold the army Of the Potomac
in check, the rObsllion still exists, and moth.
ing OF consequence is done to subdus it,
The main stay Of the rebellion is the rebel
army now in Virginia. There is the decisive
point, and there we ought to be strong enough
To prevail and that speedily. Delays will
not do longer unless We wish to see ultimate
success on the part Of the rebels.
That the commanding Generals fully CON-
prehend that this is the case, there can be no
doubt. The recent advances and reconnois-
sancss in the vicinity Of Harper's Ferry and
at other points in front Of the forces Of Gen.
Mcclellan, all 20 to show that important,
movements will soon take place in the Army
of the Potomac, movements which will in.
yolye battles that will seal the fate Of the re-
bellion and Of the country tor months to
come.
lis impossible to realize the full and i'm
men.s results that will come from contest
between the armies Of Gen. Mcclellan and
the rebel Lee. Success to the Union army is
crushing blow to the rebellion success to
the rebel army leaves the rebellion uncheck'
cd. Battles between these forces are decisive
in results. They do not leave the rebellion
in the same condition il was. They tell eth
or for the Union or against il.
This being the case il would follow that
the army under Gen. Mcclellan ought to be
reinforced with all the men that can, by any
means. be forwarded to IL. wshaye not the
leas. doubt, but tha, the best thing that can
be done with the regiments at New Orleans.
Newbern, Port Royal and other detached
points, would be to order them to evaeuate
their present places, and join the army Oftho
Potomac. All those regiments are simply
counted out of the real contest and are of no
use whatever TO the Union cause. Armed
and organized rebellion has marshalled its
strength in Virginia. There is its grand ar
nv, that without which il could not exist
day. And that army must DO fought and
overcome or the rebellion is successful.
Up to the present time, 1, must he confess
ed, but little, IL anything, has really been
accomplished towards the defeat of this az
nv. But we do not despair Of the future
Our forces, intended to operate in Virginia,
must have been enormously increased within
tho past few months, and for month TO
come will DO still more increased, unless the
Government sees ct 70 pursue the policy OF
sending regiments along the Southern coasts
and thus continue to scatter our forces in tho
future As in the past; apOlicy which We be-
lieye has been the chief cause Of oil our re-
verses. Virginia is the decisive point Let
the Union forces be strong in this State,
stronger than the enemy, no matter how
weak elsewhere. Let Virginia be freed IRON
armed traitors, and its large and fertile ter
ritory cut OF from furnishing them supplies,
and then something will be done towards
crushing the rebellion. We hope and trust,
and believe there is reason for that hope
and trust, that such viii be the case in few
short months.