The New York herald., 1862-03-16

the extended line OF fight from the 10 tho bay
The abandonment Of the whole Lower Potomac and the
Rappahannock below Port Royal is because they are un
tenabe account Of the ready approach OF boats and
being easily outnanked by force reaching thom there.
AS region 6t for defensive operations better could
have been selected this part Of the country and this
the rebels appear know WELL Their object in this do
fnce apparent at glance by reference TO our map
Richmond is in the Of half circle drawn with
compass. extended to Fredericksburg on the north and
the Potomac river the east with corresponding points
to the west aud south All the available points within
the limits Of this circle havo been seized upon by the
rebels and fortified but the main army advancing
from Washington that line OF defence OF tho northern
segment rendered tho complete, being most sx
posed 10 danger That such Is believed 10 be the fct
we may Judge from the following oxtract-'
From the Richmond Examiner, March III
The most important movements that ever occurred on
this continent now going on before our eyes The
brilliant and astonishing success Of tho Virginia. IN tho
waters Of Hampton Roads, opens now chapter in naval
South s engaged in. The grand movement Of the Army
of the Potomac in withdrawing from s offensive line
the river Of .hst name and assuming defensive one on
the line of the RarpahsDnock and Rapidan places
complexion on tho entire war in virginia
The policy OF this change Of position with reference TO
the intended attack Of the enemy is obvious The Poto
mac was tho proper base for offensive operations against
Maryland and Washington city; but as line OF defence
for Q. sod% iS, E. ss S %Gs
sr"y e. ss,e eS' :ys ss ssa" s9sg aSs ,q @ As
Considerable before snsang
II defeated in general engagement, he can scarcely es
cape annhlation for he VIII then be too far from the
Potomac and from washington city TO reach safey bya
few hours fight like that he made after the battle OF
Manassas on the contrary, he should be successful
In his encounter with our forces he could take adj
vantage Of his victory account OF the delay necessary
TO bring up his supplies from tho distant Potomac
Whoever VIII take the trouble to examine the map
Virginia. will and that line Of dcs, now adopted,
ardcAss from he Rdppdhanock, by grand circle, 70
Csmbriand Gap, in ne extreme souhwesern corner Of TIE
afe embracing Cewrai and The Virginia aud Tennessee
rafiroais Tie chif cities Of Virginia, the valley II ne
ydmes ,csh is canal and rdio1d ,cithin ue circtin
ference Il will be seen, too, that this s purely line OF
defence, assumed now as necessity, In view Of the
great force which we have by supne policy for six
months, permitted the enemy TO marshal and put in
position without disturbance and at bis leisure ana
N is distressing 10 give up so large portion Of Virginia.
even for season. the domination OF tho foe but tho
measure has become strategic necessity, and Is now
the surcs means defeating the grand projects Of the
enemy and nsurng the success Of our cause The sur
prise he Will resevs from tns magnioen. naval Uoous
ments Of army, which has so long been threatening
him before Washington, will be very great More delay
is ruin him. and considerable delay In the execution OF
his programme Is now inevitable.
BY the foregoing remarks II IL very plain TO perceive
that the rebels intend far In them les 10 retain In
their possession the principal railway communication
through the South. BY holding this railroad complete
troops can be transported from place 70 another with
great rapdty Thus the possession Of Gordonsvio be-
comes almost TO the defence Of the river at
the same time tho defence Of the Radan must be
for the rebels 10 hold that place.
Our Baltimore Correspondence
BArnnons, March IL, 1902
Topography Of the NeW Dsfensis Lsns Of the Reosl'-Ap
prshensions of an AHcck Fredsrcksburg- -Ddemiro
ton of General Johnston Gix Battle hs Line Of ~
Raspahanncck, dc.
The following informa on, which have just received
and which ia from the most reliable sources throws ad
donal light upon the movements Of tho rebel army
since their retreat from contrcvis and Msnassas-
The examination Of correct map Of Virginia will show
that there s remarkable similarity between Gordons
willie Junction and Manassas junction. as defensive 20
sons In front OF the latter Ia Bull rum in front Of tn
,xn. An ,ha papidan river Tho hanks of the latter nr