Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-23

their side. 20 prevent the rebels from moving a
large force along the roads down the lei bank OF
tie james river, crossing the ChickahOminy ~
the Long Bridge, outside Of our extreme left,
passing Baltimore Gross Roads, and seizing and
holding I~unstals Station. Their attack Of Fri
day furnishes the key 10 the plans OF the rebel
leaders, and it Is undoubtedly something ike this.
IL seems that the force which made this attack
came from Richmond around our extreme right,
By way Of Hanover. This distance is much
shorter than By way Of the Long Bridge and Bal
timore Cross-Rcads, and avoids altogether the
crossing Of the vide part OF the ChickahOminy.
But the fact that they were able 10 get 10 Tun-
stalls Station from the north. and around our
right. Is an ominOus circumstance. If they have
done this with a smail force, they can also do it
again with a force five times as large, for il has
demonstrated that our army on the ChickahOminy
Is not large enough 10 be so extended as TO pre-
vent It's being hanked. Tunstal's Station Is a
point susceptible of speedy aud strong defense.
II the rebels should succeed in getting possession
OF it with 2O,OOO, or even l5,UOO trOOps, with
suitable artillery. they could. in twenty four
hours, so entrench themselves on the surround
ing hills as to make their dislOdgement a work
of serious difficulty. Their tactics would then
be an immediate and furious attack on McClel-
lan's army, at once in front, in the rear, and on
both tanks. He might be able TO stand such
an attack. But, if be did so successfully, he
would do what no other General, of ancient or
modern times, has ever done.
In making this attack, the enemy made a com
plete circuit around McClellan's army, passing
between him and the Pamunkey River. They
started from their e~ncampments north of Rich
mond, crossed the head waters of the Cbicka-
hominy where IL Is but a mere riyulet, proceeded
eastward To the Pamunkey, at Fingal's Point, or
GarTick's Landing (Which is near, and south of,
tho mQnfh of NafaduCusU n-oolN bv-,ol .Ln
schoOners and wagons there, then went south
ward TO Tunstals Station and Baltimore Cross
Roads, then turned to the southwest and crossed
the ChickahOminy at the Long Bridge, and then
proceeded westward, to their en~campments south
of Richmond. The whole thing was probably
undertaken as much ms a reconnaissance as for
any other purpose. The whole rebel force en-
gagged in it did not exceed 500 men. The re-
suit OF the dash is 10 demonstrate that McClel-
lan's rear is entirely unprotected, and that he
may be entirely surrounded with the enemy, If
they have troops enough to do it with, and bis
communication cut off. Ii will be observed
that, although this expedition was composed
mainly OF cavalry. yet they had with them also
eight pieces Of artillery. This artillery was drawn
over the whole route, which they have thus ascer-
tanned to be one over which artillery can be
brought even after the recent heavy rains.
| trust that this attack, when viewed in the
hSHt al WHEN nave ehoeaNOIed 10 place IL, Will
awaken the President, at least, to a sense of the
absolute necessity of Immediately reinforcing
Mcclellan with at least 10 600 disciplined troops.
IL Is no longer a question of taking Richmond.
Ii Is believed that the Secretary OK War deter
mined, two months ago. that that should never
he done by Mcclellan. 1t is now a question OF
whether or not Mcclellan and his army shallbe
saved, or whether they shall be left to be cut off
for the country may rely upon 1t, they will never
surrender. II these enforcement are sent 10
him promptly, and if they are the right kind of
troops, he may yet be able to take Richmond
But IT they are not sent, the Army of the Poto-
mac will be in peril. And it any disaster should
befall Mcclellan, the country will not need to be
pointed TO the author of the calamity, nor will
he escape the just vengeance of an outraged ma
ton.