The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-09-18
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, Is

The complexion of the war news received on
Saturday last is better than that which preceded
1t, better in this respect, that the veil of doubt
which lately o~yerhung the military movements is
removed, and we now see the exact position of
the cOmbatants, and can better Judge of their
plans and prospects.
10 be mpartial-the position of affairs in
Virginia is very nearly what it was on the LIST of
July. 1861, before the battle of Bulls Run, tx
cepting in this one important point, that both
the government and the rebels have quadrupled
their forces, and consequently their power.
Fourteen months have elapsed, since that battle,
and the contending armies are again drawn up
on nearly the same ground, and less than sixty
miles from Washington. As it then was, SO
now, they are 50 nearly balanced that neither can
attack the other with perfect certainty of sue
cess. The fate of war sometimes hangs on the
merest triie, and so may the battle that is now
pending on the banks of the Rappahannock.
If our readers would learn where the armies
are, let them turn to any map of Virginia and
find the river Rappahannock. On the north
side of this stream are drawn up the Union
forces from Fredericksburg to WarreutOn, Il Gis-
lance of forty miles. At Fredericksburg is Gen.
Burnside, next to him is Gen. M'Dowell, then
east of the railroad is Gen. Pope, on the other
side of the railroad Gen. Banks, and at the ex-
IRENE right, or west, occupying Warrenton, is
Gen. Sigel each of these generals ut the head
of 10000 to 30 1000 troops, making Il total of
about 100000 troops, perhaps more. About
thirty miles in the rear, encamped before Alex
andria are MClellan's troops, some so, 900 more
or less. These are Il reserve, and being connect
ed by telegraph and railroad with the main
army, can be pushed forward to aid the army in
the advance ut an hours notice, when necessary.
On the south side of the same stream, but
mainly opposite Sigel's army at Warrenton, are
the Rebel troops, probably 100, 600, with reserves
at GordonsviIle and perhaps at other points. \
battle between these armies appears to be %inevita-
bic, and it has probably been fought before this,
as every days delay would only strengthen each
army and prolOng the struggle. It's of no use
TO guess which may win the field nor will a
victory be of any value unless the conquering
army is prepared to move radidly on, and take
of it. The position of the Federal
army with It's strong reserve under Mcclellan,
looks as if it was prepared to take that advan-
age but may not the Rebel army be equally
prepared to resist it by similar strong reserves?
To show our readers the position Of the armies
IS they were drawn up for the contest, and
ready for a fight about the LIST of Sep
ember, we insert above Il rough diagram,
which may help to give an insight into what
will probably be one of the seyerest battles of
he war. The Rebel troops are indicated by the
leavy black columns south of the Kappa
River. Some 1000 of them had
roSsed over the stream by a bridge constructed
or that purpose, but the renowned Sigel is re-
,orted to have captured them all, by destroy
ng their bridge and surrounding them, just as
hey had crossed over. Thus matters stood ut
he latest advices, and we must wait another
rival to reveal the result of the battle.
Some discussion has been had regarding the
lumber of soldiers now engaged ON the side of
he rebels. The following may approximate the
0rrect statement
AiTSlhla,- - e. --+HVuo
Charleston an1 savannah % COO
Buckner and Bragg, at Cumberland Gap,.--.--- 5000
iiiuiuau in 1900
Armstrong. South Of CorInth,. $4,000
Price, at TuV-o. in $4,000
her small armies and numerous guerilas. .--..--..-- 10000
100000
This is the lowest estimate at which the rebel
can safely be put, and they may even num- t
II SOC, 900. So that, prior to the new call of