Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-09-27
We are requested to ask the papers of the State
% insert Gov. Vances proclamation three times.
The Situation.

Tho affairs of the Southern Confederacy were
Dorpr more encouraging and hopeful than at the
.rosont time. If the President, and his Cabi-
net and the Congress, will keep a sharp eye
uDon the situation and will increase our force to its
-souste number, will provide efficiently for the
,obinu food, and health of the army, and make
,ba necessary arrangements for transportation, &c.
no confidently indulge the hope that Lincoln's back
-,u he broken before the close of the campaign.
The announcement that our entire force had re-
tired from Maryland after the fiery conflict at Sharps
brrr prouced most chilling effect upon the South.
ROt as the smoke and mist are being removed the
confdence of our people is reviving When all
the facts are brought to light all doubt of our sue
cpss will be removed, whatever differences may exist
:. to the policy of attempting to liberate Maryland
or Ofinvadng the North.
Its sby no means certain, indeed, it would ap
near an erroneous idea, that Gen. Lees movement
into Maryland was designed in the outset to invade
Pennsylvania only far feint to draw off from
Washington and Baltimore the large force of the en-
emy collected in that region. With our paucity of
numbers, cur small and inadequate means of trans
portation, scarcity of provisions and munitions OF
var, and the great distance it would throw our ar
nv from its base, with so formidable force in its
rar, the idea of forcing column into Pennsylvania
st this juncture for purposes of conquest would
seem to be impolitic. We conclude, therefore, the
real object of Gen. Lee was to obtain the rear of
Washington, cut off its resources by land, draw out
McClellau's troops for more easy defamation, in or
der that he might fall upon those Cities first and
make them an easy prey, and for the purpose of
testing fully the temper of the people of Maryland.
He can certainly have no design to press into the
North until those Cities are in our possession.
The capture and surrender of Harper's Ferry and
tn. battles of Middleton and Sharpsburg, have ma
teraly weakened Mcclellan, and Gen. Jackson's
overwhelming defeat of Burnside at Shepherdstown
since, has given the enemy foretaste of what he
may expect from that intrepid and resistless General
What is the real position of our army at present
is difficult to ascertain. Our losses have been heavy,
and the scarcity of provisions may have produced
temporary change in Gen. Lees plans, but we look
with certainty for glorious winding up of the win
ter campaign in Maryland.
There are, however indications of purpose on
the part Of the enemy to draw off the attention of
our forces from Maryland to another point 1t is
given out that the enemys gunboats are leaving the
neighbOrhood of Washington, and we should not be
surprised to hear of another movement upon Rich
nOnd or some other important point, with small
portion of McClelan's large force.
From Western Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee
We have the most cheering accounts. We are look
ing for stirring times from every part of our army
The reader will find our telegrsphic dispatches un-
Usually interesting and encouraging