Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-18
Late Southern News.
The Confederate Retreat from, the
.ta-- Potomae iE1pIaIned.s = 80
From the Riehmond Examiner; March II.

j. III 4 Ia
'ta'-- Potomac Explained. q
From the Richmond Examiner; March IL.
The most important movements that ey-
er occurred on this continent are now go
ing on before our eyes. The brilliant and
astonishing success of the Virginia in the
waters OF Hampton Roads, opens new
chapter in naval warfare, aud marks a new
era IN tue struggle which the South is en-
gagged in. The grand movement of the
army OF the Potomac, in withdrawing from
the offensive line on the river of that name,
and assuming defensive one on the line
OF the Rappahannock and Rapidari,. places
new complexion on the entire war in
Virginia. - .5-.-'5-,-
The policy of this change Of position
with reference to the intended attack of
the enemy Is obvious. The Potomac was
the proper base for offensive operations
against Maryland aud Washington city;
but as line of defense for Richmond. or
for general resistance, it is the most dan
gerous that could be held. The line upon
which the army under Gen. JOS. Johnston
IS now falling back is in the nature of the
arc OF circle, of which Richmond is the
center. The enemy is put to the necessity
of marching a considetable distaLce.i6l
before engaging our forces. Ifdefcated in
nnnihilatiOui for he viii then be too far
from Washington city to reach safety bysa
lew hours flight like that hemade after the
battle of Manassas. If, on tho contrary!
he should be successful in his encounter
with our forces, he could not take advans
tage OF his victory on account of the delay
necessary TO bring on his supplies from the
distant Potomac afii It'.A 5i0N ~
Whoever will take the trouble TO exam .
ine the map of Virginia will fiud that our
line of defense rs now adopted, stretches
from the IlappahannOck, by grand circle.
to Cumberland Gap, in the extreme south
western corner OF the State: embracing the
Central and the Virginia and Tennessee
railroads, the chief cities of Virginia, the
valley of the James with its canal and rail
roads, within the circumference. 1t will
be seen, too, that this is purely line of
defense, assumed now as necessity, in
view ofthe great force which we have, by
our supine policy for six months, permitted
the enemy to marshal and put in position
without disturbance, and at its leisure and
pleasure.
Itis distressing to give up so large por.
ton of Virginia, even for a season, TO the
domination of the foe, but lie measure hus
become strategic necessity, and is now the
surcst means of defeating the grand pros
Jects of the enemy ssand insuring the sue
cess of our cause. The surprise lie will
receive from the magnificent naval occur
rences in Hampton Roads, and from the
judicious movements of Our army, which
has. SO long been threatening him before
Washington, will be very great. SEors de-
lay Is ruin to him, and considerable delay
inevitable. go . a . : . "a . ~ !
The Evacuation OF Manassas.
General BeauregSrd is credited by tie
Memphis ARpeql Of the 9Th, with, the
evacuation of Manassas. 1t says:
5stSsIVe regard as fresh 4sidence Of
General @Beanregardsa superi6f generals
ship; and it will be ranked in history as
similariniits Conception, aud ths necessity
tri,ich dictated Il, to the evacuation of Har-
Per,s Ferry by General Jos. E, Johnston.
last tJuue' 4i g asst 80 -ti 9a7s I
General Beauregard is in want of troops.
lie telegraphs the ApPedE as follows
"JACKsox, Tenn, March q, 1862.
& Editors t4APpsdt:EI will accept all IL
months companies that arm and present
themselves. vi G.. T. BEAUREGARD.'' {
,ss4ltHaS S9HtheEn P.Eospeets.5,.ys.,
The following is from the Richmond
DtSpuLCtts VI Iu6 Olu 10
The public mind of the entire South is
fast recovering from the .causeless' panic
occasiohede by the unfortunate affairs at
Roanoke Island and Fort Donelson. Con.
siderates men see that much ultimatel good
may come Of them5 by iuuring us to de
feats that must often occur 10 a war with
u power possessed of superior Numbers
and superior resources of all kinds, by
~ FNF- tho fnt,
tinued successes had begotten-and, most
of all, by, stimulating enlistments, and
thus increasing the numbers and efficien-
cy of our armies. Is 49,, .4-.ssEgsta e5E,s
IL is now almost certain that by the Isl
of Aprif.we shall have q larger disposnble
torceiin the field than thatiof our enemies
for they must retain two hundred thous.
and men in Maryland to guard and retain
that State and the city of Washington, q
hundred thousand in KGLtncky and Mts'
so1ri.tos hold those, States, some twenty
thousand in their various forts, and prot
ably eighty thousand In their fleets. -
Thus, their stationary force being four
hundred thousaudf even It stheif armies
number seven. hundred thousand, they will
have disposable force'of only three hun.
dred thousand with which to invade oul
interior; and, in long incnrsions, this will
be diminished at least Oue-third by the for
ces detailed to keep up communication
with their bases of operation. Besides, BY
deferring their invasion of tbeSouth until
the warm season. they yiwflI S66nI Idecimate
their ranks by the malariOusI diseases, oi
our climate, r-,-,,,- y ..i75 - 7i-si tss ~
Heretofore We have bad to ,6ght against
SUPERIOR numbers, but so soon asi they qut
their vessels, march into the country, ant
meet us in the open field ,sRel shall ont.
number them, if We please in every con
tttct. sil-iHti s.lsifoI Ea1Iaf .Id,1