Maryland free press., 1862-11-21
Army Movements and News.

There is at this time but little of interest in
the Army movements if we except that of the
Potomac, and from that we ha 70 but little that
is direct or strictly reliable, though statements
from various sources indicate very positively
that the base of operations is being changed
from the Shenandoah Valley to Aqua Creek,
and that the army will move on Richmond by
way Of Fredericksburg. The Confederates, it
is also stated, have fallen back from the Rap
pahannock to the Rapidan, which they will
probably make permanent line of defence
There are indications, however, that The whole
force has retreated, or is retreating to Rich
mond, with the exception of such of their army
as may be in the shenandoah Valley, perhaps
under Jackson.
Some of the correspondents from Washif g.
ton state that the purpose Of providing the
Army of the Potomac with a new base was
already known in Richmond. Ifso, it accounts
for the retreat Of the Confederates above indi-
Gated 1t is added that all the corps of Burn
sides army are now, and have been for two
days, on the march down the valley of the
Rappahannock toward Fredericksburg, which
is accessible TO supplies by water, and furnish
es, it is assumed, shorter and better road to
Richmond than any other port.
The Washington Star has the following
rpcculations on the situation of affars:-
A glace at any good map of Virginia will
show the reader that the fine march made by
Burnside on Sunday and yesterday has brought
his army from ten to twenty miles near Rich
mond than the main portion ofthe Rebel army
was, probably, this morning; else the latter
moved to counteract Burnside's movement
mitch sooner than could reasonbly have been
expected; as it was doubtless twenty four
hours after Burnside moved before the Rebel
Generals compretsnded what his movement
meant, and then it probably tsok them twenty
four hours more-or until last night-before
they could get fairly in motion to head Burn
side off from Richmond
We now believe that he will get to Hanover
Junction at least before they can throw sufii'
cient force before it to dispute its possession
by the Army Of the Potomac.
Much, however, depends, we opine, upon
the energy with which our construction corps
prosecutes the work before it, as supplies Of
all kinds must speedily follow burnside, to Sc
cure the triumph of his plans.
The Rebel General Jackson has BEEN fairly
man9uvered out into the cold. 1t is has hard
! ly possible that his corps can participate in
the great patue for the possession of Richmond
If he has, as is asserted, 10000 men, then he
has quite half the whole Rebel army of the
Potomac, clear up at the head of the valley, al
least twelve days fair marching from + ich-
mond, with Burnsides army not six day.
march from It.
But it is plain to ti5 that this 10000 story
is without foundation; and that he has no
$1,000 troops, if more than $4,000; a large
number to venture to isol,te SO far away
from where Lee knew we'll he must sooner o.
later fight the decisive battle of the war.
Five days should see that great battle over
and Burnside should have Richmond in les
than ten days, as the campaign seems now t.
r-~e----- h--~-.-. --s -sraat. r,,una, ;pdaa,
seems to depend on the energy and efficiency
of the construction corps.
The Washington correspondents generally, a
we'll as the papers in that city, are rsmarkiD.
upon the "pew base. of army operations.
The Washington Republican, anti Clellsn
now makes the admission that, had be not beef
removed, that General would have brought on
battle in three or four days. It also thinks
Richmond is captured in "ten days"it will be a,
'.example of celebrity very new in the war an
very refreshing"
The Washington correspondent of the Phi!adel
phs Ledger gives this warning on the same sub
jeet.
would advise you not to place too much reli
snce upon the reports of forward movement
against the enemy in Virginia. Nearly tw
months ago, when every paper was filled will
reports of onward movements, then eautione
you against them, and with how much truth le
the present position of affairs answer.
i As to the new base of operations, Fredericks
burg, have hut little faith in the sams, as i
places our forces in a desert country, and render
them liable to flank attacks, which it will be dill
ficult to provide against. But enough ON thi
point for the present.