The New York herald., 1862-03-16

Of the formation as those OF Bull run, but The
stream itself s larger and deeper. Between tho Rapdan
river and Gordonsve the surface OF the country Is hy
the hills being quito as available for fortihcatons as
those front OF Manassas Indeed the whole country
between the Rappahannock and Rapdan rivers on the
north and the York, Matapony and North Anna rivers
the south, is hlly and broken-admrably fitted for
defence II is covered with dense forests, too in many
places which will impede military operations to large
extent These will doubt be cut down. they were
near Cenireye, and the will be used to obstruct
the roads, and for the construction Of abatts.
The bulk Of General Johnstons late "Army Of the Po
omacr is now encamped along line hundred miles in
extsnt-that say, the somcirclo formed by the
Rappahanncck from Gordonsve to Tappahannock. they
do not or course guard the whole OF this long limo, but
distributed in army corps the same as they were on
the Potomac OF the points where they most likely TO
be attacked Those points five miles north OF the
Of Orange at tho bridge where the road from cul
pepper to Louisa the Rapidan; at Gcrmania,
where tho road from warrenton TO Bowling Green
crosses the same stream fredericksburg and Port
Royal The troops who posted for the support OF
Potomac river batteries at the two latter places
tho guns formerly mounted In those batteries are
also there. II seems to be the impression among
the rebels that General Mcclellan will march down
the old road, near the Potomac, taking Occo-
quan and Dumfres on his route, and will sock 70
occupy Fredericksburg As tho success Of this project
would greatly eopardze the safety OF Richmond, partc
uar attention has been paid 70 the decnces of
bufg.
II has been said that General Johnston win not fght
Mcclellan because f he intended 10 nght he would have
done 80 at Contrcvo, in his strong forts But this Is
great mistake His at Centreve indeed strong,
but they had become untonable in the same way that
Columbus had become untsnabe His left wing had bean
turned by Gonoral Mcclellan when three weeks ago, tho
Commander in Chief crossed tho Potomac at Harpers
Ferry and set motion the columns OF General Banks
and General Shields Johnston had remained At Con-
trevilo his left flank would have been turned by tho
entire right wing of General Mcclellan who would have
attacked him simultaneously In front and on b2th Hanks.
Examinations Of the fortihcations OF Centrcvile
and Manassas have that although nearly mprcgna
bio in front they are entirely unprotected from an
attack from the west To have ned therefore, at
Centrovillc after Mcclellan had turned his loft flank,
would have been madness the part OF General john
stsn BY rctreating when he did he saves his entire
army all his artillery and baggage ana falls back TO
rosition equally as susceptible Of forthcation and de-
fence as Manassas was. If he Is allowed time he will
fortfy the limo OF the Rsppahannock asstrongy he did
that at Ccntreve and he has the labor OF many thou
sand slaves II will not require much time. But not TO
be supposed that he will retreat further without lighting
General McCcllan's soldiers will ind their long desired
battle Geld nearer Richmond than they supposed but
that they will find II thore cannot be doubt If II Is
said that Their are ntrenchmens 10 force In tho
mys new position, let II be remembered that the in
trenchrnens Bull rum the 21st Of July, az
nothing to those just abandoned Yet they kept the
Union army at bay.