The New York herald., 1862-03-13

President's New military Arrange
ments.
The grand Union Army ofthe Potomac, under
General Mcclellan. has advanced upon Ma
nassas to find its elaborate defences and COM
Portable winter quarters completely evacuated
by the enemy. That great rebel army, after
all It's stupendous labors of seven months
to enable it to maintain that position against
any assault, has abandoned il without firing
gun. The rebe, commander, Johnston, has
chosen tho disasters of an ignominious flight as
preferable to the chances Of complete de-
struction.
He was doubtless ready for this retreat at
moments warning for month or two before
his actual evacuation. He was too near to
Washington and our whole line Of the Po-
tomac to be kept in ignorance of the over
whelming strength of the forces opposed to
him, and their movements and designs, and he
was too far or to be caught by .
forced march of tho right or left wing
or central divisions of Mcclellan. Johnston
in fact, from his facilities for observation and
information, was not to be caught, and in his
fligLs he possessed the eadvantages of railroads
while Mcclellan, in pursuit would have had, al
any time, as he has now, to follow the common
highways, or to rebuild the numerous railway
bridges which the enemy has destroyed behind
him.
We know, too, that for the first time since
last autumn the " sacred soil'' of Fairfax coun-
ty, Virginia, has been impossible over its COM
mon roads, until within the last few days. for ar
tlllery and army baggage wagons, and that Gen.
Mcclellan has thus availcd himself OF the first
opportunity for anything like vigorous pur-
suit of the enemy. We think, too, thai before
the lapse Of many days it will be made mani
fest that the demoralizations Of this retreat from
Manassas are quite as disastrous TO the rebel
army as would have been a sanguinary battle
and a crushing defeat. We expect now that
that army will be driven entirely out Of Vir-
ginia without much fighting or bloodshcd at
any point, and that, with the loss of Virginia,
the rebellion will at once be shorn Of fifty
thousand fighting men.
Our attention is next called to the new army
orders of the President They comprehend
some important changes in the great military
departments Of the country, and well adapted
to vigorous prosecution of tie war. Relieved
Of the supervision of the other departments,
Gen. Mcclellan is directed to devote his atten-
ton exclusively TO The onward movement OF the
Army Of the Potomac In this matter alone We
are confident Of the most glorious results, in
view of tic splendid army Of Mcclellan and OF
his admirable qualities US military leader,
rc -, l;e
superior abilities. The President next has
widely extended the department OF Gen. Hal
leck and deservcdly so, whether we consider
his late achievements, or his military capabili-
ties FOR an enlarged sphere OF operations, or lis
conservative views OH the slavery question, in
connection with The reclamation of our South
western rebelIious States. The department Of
Gen. Buell. is absorbed but this, we presume,
viii not prevent thai officer from The soldcrly
resolution TO remove any impression which may
exist prejudical TO his late advance upon
Bowling Green.
Finally, as tub to the abolition whale, Pre-
sdent Lincoln has hit the nail upon the head in
the appointment Of General Fremont to the
Mountain Department of Virginia and Tcnnes-
see. To scour the roads OF those mountains and
to search out new ones, and to sweep them clear
Of secession gucriillas. Fremont is the very man
we should pick out Of ten thousand. Az an
explorer, guerrilla hunter and pathfinder, Ere
mont will he in bis proper element among the
wild mountains Of Western Virginia. There be
will need no expensive retinue, no magnificent
bands of music no royal steamboats or fancy
coaches, no princely head41artcrs at rem. of
six thousand q year; but, under the shade Of q
chestnut tree or of a great rock, and over sup
per of venson or of the steaks of black bear
killed by his picket guard, Fremont will be at
home. And tleu among those mountains lie
viii have very few runaway niggers to trouble
him, and very few swndling contractors and
such like vermin. His DEPARTMENT lies beyond
the range Of the spoilsmen Of great cities, and
so, in putting Fremont among the mountains Of
Virginia, President Lincoln. more than in any
thing elsc has proved his remarkable military
sagacity.
In conclusion, the rebel evacuation Of Manas-
sas marks the comprehensive changes Of new
campaign and FROM the East TO The Cer West
and down the Potomac and along the Atlantic
and Gulf coast, VIC may expect henccforwsrd
such pressure Of this rebellion as will utterly
cxtipguish its last hopes Of resistance by the
lst Of May.
FREMONT LAID UP IN TIL MOUNTAINS At Lssr.--
The abolitousts ought 10 get up public pro-
ccssion. Their two principal idols, John {. Ere
mont and Horace Greeley, are appointed TO i'm
rortant commands in very active service. Tie
President, who is evidently a great master Of
humor. Las ordered Fremont to the mountains of
Virginia when Tie rebels have all LEFT and taken
"a ther Icels. In this Mr.. Lincoln has dis
played his sagacty ard sound judgment. He
has appointed The right nnu TO tie right place
Fremont las had no military education or
i.ni,.i1 ~ nnl rn on nniinnne In linIIinn Dui LIE