The New York herald., 1862-12-15
THE NEW BASE OF OPERATIONS.
what the Rebels Thought or the Line
Oe the kappahanmock4 Last March.
(From the New York Herald. March a.

Os tho ksppahanmockaL Last March.
(From the New York Herald. March a.
10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The oext stand Of the enemy along the precpitous
bank OF the Rappahannock river from Port Royal up
Fredericksburg thence along the south bank OF the river
~ far the junction Of the Rapidan with the north
fork OF the appahannock thence along the Rpidsa as
FAR the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The country Immediately south Of the north course just
marked is srikngy like that the south side the
Potomac above Georgetown very hily-botb Wild deep
ravnss particularly Is this the eight miles
below Fredericksburg all the way up "a the base OF the
mountain ridge There is wooden bridge at Fredercks-
burg leading the Rappahannock and the county Of
stafford, and one at tho village of Falmouth which is in
stafford county leading tho river in the county
Spe.tsylvana. Falmouth mile above fredericksburg
aad there but three fords n the river between sde
rcksburg and the mountain; one at the Wilderness,
which Is abou mile from the Rapidan; another where
the railroad crosses and third about three miles north
west OF Orange Court House At the breaking Of the
rebellion was matter OF serious discussion by Beau
regard lee Johnston whether this should be the
limo OF for.ifcaons instead OF Bull and Manassas
ahs Manassas Railroad bringing provisions from tbs val
sy caused them to select Bull rum the Rapdan and Rap
pahannock being made strcng by extensive military
sneering In the meantime. There cannot be less thaA
ono hundred and eighty thousand strong along this
tine Of fortncaton between Port Royal and the base Of
ths mountains. The river Is deep and narrow below
xredesicksburg-one hundred and sixty yards wide and
fifteen feet deep. Above and at Falmouth
tho great falls Of the Rappahannock begin and extend all
the way the source. The banks rugged, broken
and preop0us and covered With the original growth OF
timber. The river here is deep and rapid, being at
ti0es--in the spring and early summer-as much ~
thirty feet sweepng the bridges away a Falmouth and
Fredericksburg has been the twice during the
last twelve months Upwards of twenty thousand men
have besa at Fredericksburg since the 10th Of May 1851
and labsving msn hsye been II work on various FORTH
cations all along the rives bank for months past This
las Of defence begun anterior to the forncations
along Ball run and destined Of cover in
OF defeat At Bull run.
The swainpy country Of the Ma,apony, east OF the
junction or the Mat the Ta the Pc and the Ny and nd
Gated by line reaching from Port Royal and Louisville.
thence down the Matspony to the Pamunksy aud the York
rivers form the extended line Of fst the mountain
10 the bag. The abandonment of TIE choe Lover Potomac
and tAe Rogpahonnock, bsloU Port Royal, beooue ey
are wmos account Of e ready approach ofboats and
being easily odnked BY force rccehing them there tn
csaay i tie best possle for defence along the hoe
Atlantic slope, ard the laa and only stand the rebels can
ssss ts hero, along the RarTohaanock ric~.
TIE REBEL OPINION.
From the Richmond Examiner, March H.
The most important movements that ever occurred on
this continent are now going on before our eyes The
brilliant and astonishing success Of the Virginia, in the
waters OF Hampton Roads, opens chapter in naval
wafacs, aud marks new in the struggle which the
South engaged in. The grand movement Of the Army
Of tho Potomac, Withdrawing from its offensive line
the river that name and assuming defensive
the limo Of che Rappahannock Rapidan places
compiex,os the entire in Virginia.
The policy Of this change OF position with reference TO
the intended attack OF the enemy 10 obvious The roo
mac was the proper tase operations against
Maryland and Washington city but line of defence
for Richmond or for general resistance is the most
dangerous could be held rhe line upon which the
army OF General Joseph Johnston is falling back is in
the nature OF the Of circle Of which Richmond IS
tho The eaeriy put 10 The necessity Of marching
considerable d,stanc 'ao,d tore engaging or forces. y
defeated iH 2eercl en5cae1s M can earesy escape onat-
hilco for he iH tier be fer from, the Poomac and
from Woaingon city 10 r@cch scfy ~ fw hours fight
iae tha, he nude after Ho ta,L of Manassas. II the
contrary re should Jt &as 81 hs sicouat>r ris
forc could az tdks oeadge Of is ccsory on account
ore deoy necessary 70 bring up hs supplies from The
distant Po!oDrc.
whoever viii take the trouble examine the map Of
virgn,s win md that line Of defence, adopt
cd stretches from the Rappshannock, by grand circle
TO Cumberland Cap tho extreme southwestern corner
OF The ste embracing Central and the Virginia and
Touussses railroads the chief cities Of Virginia, the val
lev OF tho James with lis canal and railroads. within the
orcumrersnce II will be seen TOO ,ba, this is purely
line OF defeace assumed a necessity in view O
the grea, force which we have by simple policy fol
six uaochs, permitted the enemy marshal and put IL
position without disturbance and at his leisure ant
pleasure.