The New York herald., 1862-01-17
VIRGINIA.
Especial correspondence of the New Orleans Delta.l

Especial correspondence the New orleans Dobe
CES1REynIS, Va, Dec 80, 1861.
Condition Of the Roads in vIg,nia-Retd Opinion VI Gen.
AcC1siian's DeSgns-TAe Union Army CoWstIeved an
Armed Aob-EHciency Of the Retels- Gen. Beaaregard
Demi God-hsehmo1d RuIes the Army, de-
All signs fail wet weather-so II Is said. war times
are very much like wet wea her The most suggestive
signs or conflict between tho two armies 30 long en-
camped tho banks OF the Potomac have utterly failed
Winter has come the thought be propious for
shocking condition. alssrnsons o frost. haw rain and
sunshine have thoroughly deprived them OF any protein
sons to fulfil the uses for which they were designed
wagons and cannon attempting to traverse them would
find themselves swamped in profound morasses, ana
might disappear from view short the roads
in that situation in military language called impractica-
bio. Hence IL the movements Of this were regu-
lated ia accordance with those principles which are
generally supposed 10 direct military movements and
affairs; Ii one could infer what Is to come from
the portens OF what Is, shall be justified in saying
that the campaign the frontier has come to an
end that IL has been killed by the nippng frosts OF
December; that it is exploded, played out, gone ap;
that 1t cannot be resuscated until the vsrna breezes
unchan the ice bound streams and dry the wet ana
heavy roads, But. as have said all signs fail US now
We have learned not TO place faith in the best accredited
reports, and not to hazard prognosis from the most
pronounced symptoms. If were, even now to hazard
the ecture that the campaign is over might, within
thirty hours be called To report an attempt by
Mcclellan to advance against the frozen ground
But viii state that do not anticipate any such move
mont. have almost to the conclusion that tho
Northern Generassino has had all along, far other
thoughts than those II rskng his imaginary reputation
his exalted postion and the fate of his army battle
with forces in front OF him. we could estimate his
conduct from the point OF view from which regard
the acts Of military leader governed by no other motive
than that Of making on his adversary, we would
have o right to say that Mcclellan should have at
tempted to force our lines and to dssipate the army
so long assembled in front Of Washington But it Is
beginning 10 be whispered that the North
chcftaiR has othor designs that he con-
templates securing his own position consolidating his
power, before attempting in earnest the appa
ling subugsting the South. hundred thousand
men m lis , sa b. a @ an%
elevatng their leader to military dictatorship than for
conquering an immense country peoped by numerous
ard warike Al this time Mcclellan army IS not
IL for either enterprise the ether The voiun
infantry regiments nothing better than armed
mob and tho cavalry regiments bur!esque the
Equestrian arm OF the service. Last week party Of
Ransoms cavalry about forty in number attacked two
companies Of the cnemys horse, aud put tie to ime
date flight, killing several and capturing twenty
Our troopers actually rode the enemy. 1t was in
truth, ludicrous aair. The fedcralstS were totally
unable 10 manage their horses and about dozen Of them
fell OF during the pursuit. and were taken bite lying
the ground.
| am glad to say that we have no such ntelnps to
report army. The efficiency OF troops though
great that OF regulars far supasscs that Of tho
Northern army. The discipline Of forces is good
their drill ali that could bo exiocted from volun
toer troops doing arduous duty in tho fold. One
circumstance which may have inerfered with the
action Of ermy-whch, doubtless, has prevented
the execution Of any brilliant purposesis the sort Of
ual triple command 10 which has been subjected.
Gem Bcaurcgard's has becn from the commence
other dor is identired with it in tho popular
mind he is the idol OF the army he excites the cnthu
siasm Of the sodery whenever he appears among them
the troops Lave unbounded confidence in his ability and
his va!or; yet Gen. Beaurcgard has power 10 carry
out any idea he may form; portunty TO deyelopo
the plan OF campaign; righ. to execute single
movement Richmond governs directs and YtdS far
any plans haze influenced the campaign Richmond
dictates not ony the policy If tie but it, method while
in the public mind expectation is directed the Generals
and high hopes formed from their enterprise and
skill In addition TO all this, Ger. Johnston is in chef
commando soldier amply capable of conducting our
army victory, but whose admitted skill and acI Iuirc
would be far useful to the country a sera
and independent theatre Of action The is
that the presence Of both Gen eauregsrd Gen. John
ston in this army far from being needed of
paraiyzg the usefulness of both and Of dstracng
minds and tbs onadence Of the soldiers.