Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-03-19
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duties OF Commauder-in-C CHER OF the Army
and Navy of the United States. The hrst
order, issued January %, but only now
made public, directs general movement
of the land and naval forces against the
Rebels on the 22d day of February The
army and naval forces designated tor this
movement are especially directed to be
ready, and the Secretaries Of War and of
the Navy, the General-in Chief (McClel-
LAM, and all other commanders and subor-
dinates are notified that they will be held
to strict and full accountability for the
prompt execution of the order The Sec
ond order directs the organization of the
Army of the Potomac into FIVE corps, and
designates the commanders of each. The
third order states that Gen Mcclellan hav-
ing personally taken the field, he is relev-
ed Of the command of all other military de-
partments except that of the Department
of the Potomac. The two Departments of
Generals Halleck and Hunter, with the
portion Of that now under Gen Buell., are
consolidated and designated as the Depart
ment of the Mississippi, and placed under
the command of Gen Halleck The coun-
try west of the Department Of the Potomac
and east Of the Department of the Missis-
sippi is designated the Mountain Depart
mani and ,loood ,Jor commend of Gop
Fremont This Department will include
Western Virginia and East Tennessee
north of Knoxville. Commanders of De-
partments are notified to report directly to
the Secretary of War, and that prompt
full and frequent reports will be expected
Of them
The Contending Armies in Virginia.
The retreat of the enemy from Manassas
and Winchester, although it has postponed
the anticipated engagement between the two
large armies that have SO long faced each
other on the banks of the Potomac, by no
means proves that they will not soon engage
in deadly conflict along an immense line
The rebel generals have long contemplated
retrograde movement from their former DO
sition, as probable necessity, and have made
many preparations for it, Even before the
battle of Bull Run, it is said they had deter
mined in case they were defeated in that con-
test, to fall back upon defensive line, for
med by the Rappahannock and Rapidan riv
ers. And General Beauregard having ad-
monished them that ifouthanked, they would
be utterly unable to defend Manassas, they
have been busily engaged, fsg some weeks, in
i &c 4 1 a. - 4
they have selected. Their army is doubt
less, disheartened and demoralzed by the nu
mer0us disasters that have lately belalcn the
Secession cause, and by necessity are falling
back before our advancing cOlnmns but it
has not yet been defeated or subdued, and il
may still cherish the hope that, by success
full defence of its present line, our great army
may yet be prevented from gaining complete
control of Virginia.
The new line Of defence to which the enc,
nv in Virginia are said to have fallen back,
embraces, for the most part, the occupation
of the South bank of the Rappahannock and
its main fork, the Rapidan. The shores of
these streams are precipitous, woody, and
capable Of being rendered comparatively ten
able. The few wooden bridges that span
them have, no doubt, been destroyed ere this
by the fugitive enemy while the fords arc
their crossing extremely hazardous. 1t is not
at all improbable that such a line of defence
may have been chosen. 1t has natural advan-
tages which we cannot afford to deSpise. On
the west, the Blue Ridge range forms an i'm
passable barrier; on the east, the Rappahan-
mock, with its rapid current and almost un.
navigabe channel, rolls down to the Atlantic:
while upon the SOUTH a direct railroad con-
ncction is open to Richmond, which is not
more than sixty miles distant.
Fredericksburg, the most northerly point
of the new position, is said to have been we'll
fortified, and according to our latest despatch
es, the rebels have made stand here
Address of General Mcclellan to his
Soldiers.
THE TINE FOR ACTION HAS ARRIVED
HeadqlarterS oftbe Army Of the P0tomac, !
Fdirfdr Court House, "a, March ID, 1862. I
Soldiers ofhe Army ofhte Potomac:
For long time have kept you inactive, but
not without purpose. You were to be dis
cplined, armed, and instructed The formi-
dable artillery you now have had to be created
Other armies were to move and accomplish
certain resu'ts. l held you back that YOU
might give the death-blow to the rebellion
that has distracted our once happy country.
The patience you have shown, and your con-
fdence in your general, are worthy dozen
victories.
These preliminary results are now accom-
plished I feel that the patient labors of
many months have produced their fruit. The
army of the Potomac is now a real army
magnificent in material admirable in disci-
pline and instruction, ezcellently equipped and
armed Your commanders are all that
could wish.
The moment for action has arrived, and
know that can trust in you to save our coun-
try AS / ride through your ranks see in
your faces the sure presage fvictory. feel
that you will do whatever I ask of YOU.
The period of inaction has passed. will
bring you face to face with the rebels, and