Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-01
n.he Camnn,rn In Virsan,n.


following icIe upon the campaign in Virginia:
Gen. ahks' army of invasion in the Valley of Vir-
gina, from the best information get is between
New Market and H-rrsonburg Gea Jackson's po-
siton is at Swift Run Gap of the Blue Ridge, where
be is ready to fall Banks flank if he should attempt
march On Stanton. He is as much in the way of
Of Banks advance as if he were in his 'front.'
The two grand armies on the Peninsula continued
stationary at last intelligence TIE lines of BON
danked by the great rivers which form the Peninsula.
The tanks OF Jobnstons army are protected by bate
res, those of McCleIlan's By gunboats The gunboas
have the advantage batteries, of being mac
cessbe to storming party, and of being movable An
attack from side would hence present greater nc0n
venences to than the enemy would experience from
similar enterprise If should drive theh lines their
gunboats could retire with them, and keep up emf
ading fire upon US we pursued. Our plan would be
to press closely upon the heels of the enemy that the
fire of the gunboas would be as harmful to friend as
foe and thus be sllenced
There is no inequality of advantages however, to re-
strain Mcclellan from attack And be is urged to it
by the impotence of the Northern rOpulace by his
damaged reputation among those whom he serves,
by the vaunts and the declarations which he addressed
to bis army in the commencement of the campaign and
by his desire for distinction. Prolonged inacon or
treat will be the ruin of the remnants Of his fame and
popularity. This is his last chance, and be knows it.
It may be that he will precede the blow which be must
attempt with strategy that, by its brlancy and
success, shall atone for a flight from his adVersarys
'front.'. lie attempt tnrOW himself upon US from
the line of the Rappahannock to preciptate himself
upon Norfolk But despite the reasons which suggest
such movement to us at present it does not very
probable.
Mcclellan could not get to the Rap5ahoanock as
| soon as we could get there to confront him. 1t he
should venture tis troops on feet of transports the
Vrgnia's time to gain fresh immortality would have
come She would have harvest of destruction. IGhe
should attempt to move by land could Out-travel
him, for we are inside Of him, and would move on q
IL - lo, MN 80
Fredericksburg, for the main movement upon u.s. the
hoped for success would reinstate Mcdowell in the ap
pause of his people, bat what would it do for McCel
Ian, who has much reputation to retrieve, and h(
honoTs of a greater Office to sustain?
| A movement upon \ orolk would expose Mctjlcan!
troops an aaSatu to similar dangers as above stated
and there would be the humiliation of turning asids
from primary object, after commencing its attain
ment, to pursue comparatively. an inconsiderable ad
vantage.
These considerations incline 1s to think that McClel
Ian is hardly prepared to give up the position and lint
of approach upon US, which he has just chosen, in III
face of the world, and Immediately after flourish 0
trumpets as to his coming achievements. The WOrlC
will ask, if Yorktown is not the place for him. why die
he 90 to Yorktown?
The ruling characteristic which Mcclellan has dis
played a comm nder is extreme caution. The impu
tatiOns of some OF his enemies affecting bis persona
courage, we presume to be without authority. But al
a commander be is timid and dstrusfu, and disposed
|
of the trial of strength. If it rests with Mcclellan t.
begin the fight should not be- surprised if consdera
bic delay yet occurs We have every reasonable conf
depce that, when the battle shall take place, with ou
army will rest the victory, aud Mcclellan will sustain
that defeat Of which his timidity and disrust th
abiding presentiment, if not the guaranty.
The present dispersed situation of the enemy tt
afford opportunity for strategic movements and swift
combinations of which the Government will OF course
take every possible advantage. Banks in the Valley
Mcdowell Gift be hey at Fredericksburg, Mitchell a
Huntsville, Burnside in various paces-mOst of these
are away from their supports and considerable dis
tanc,s within borders; Of them be STRUCK
by secret, swift, overwhelming combinations, with
thunder from the sudden cloud?
Various plans suggest themselves to as fit for tn
accomplishment Of some such result. But if idea
were udicous their public utterance light embarra
their execution If Generals percbance had determn
ed upon them. Besides, it requires information which
they only possess, TO know what is practicable and wha
is best. We simply refer to the subject an exceed
iDgy interesting at this time, and which must ne
ceSsarly engage the attention of our astute leaders.