Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-06
OUR MILITARY BUDGET
THE SITUATION.

accounts OF recent movements of our army OF
the Potomac and that of the rebels with which
the newspapers and the mouths of the Quid
names around US are now filled, are so contra
dictory and palpably unreliable as to prevent
one from coming to any reasonable conclusion
ia the premises. Thus, yesterday evening
Pennsylvania avenue rang with story of
Lees entire evacuation OF his late position
around Fredericksburg, and Hooker's occupa-
ton Of it with a large portion OF his force.
The truth is, the enemy did remove the brig
ade he lately had In Fredericksburg, out of that
town yesterday before daybreak, and as soon
as the fact was discovered, Hooker sent re-
conaoitering force or party over there sascer-
taia what that movement and the rebel con-
siderable marching and conference.-the of
the previous few days really meant This we
gather BY sitting and comparing dozen differ
emit wonderful stories concerning the move
Nents OF the two armies.
We know, further, that the result of the
explorations OF our troops sent out by General
Hooker, is a general impression at his head
quarters this morning, that Lee is merely shift
ing the positions of his troops for police (sani-
tary, reasons; Just as Hooker some days ago
shifted the positions OF more or less of his
different army corps.
now making SO thorough "Reminiscences, as
thai by night it will be well known at the
headquarters precisely where the different
corps and divisions of the rebel army that NAV
be in their front, are now located.
We have not believed that Lee dreamed of
venturing a movement in this direction, or a
raid into Maryland aid Pennsylvania, as al
legged. His risks in 80 doing, with Hooker's
army left intact in his rear, would be so differ.
ent from what they were with Pope's army
thoroughly beaten, demoraliZed and driven
behind the Washington Notifications, as that
il would be sheer madness for him to make the
attempt If made, and it should fail, OF course
his whole army would be virtually destroyed :
3 risk Lee will not run, while ON his army
hang all hopes of the success Of the rebellion
If the movements of Lees troops first above
referred to really do mean more than is this
morning believed at Hooker's headquarters,
they evidently mean that l. has been so weak
ened to reinforce Ticksburg, as that he is re-
moving his main force closer upon his base of
suppLes-Richmond
We entertain no fear whatever that Jefferson
Davis can reinforce Vicksburg, however much
he may venture to weaken Lee in attempting to
do so, as fast as Grant can be reinforced. Under
ordinary circums tances onr possession Of water
transportation to that end is OF as great advan-
tage to US, as for the French and English over
Russia in the case Of the siege of Sebastopol
fsot advantage finally ended that campaign
against Russia, II VIII De recoIIecIed. as mat
tiers now stand, with the southern railroads and
other means Of military transportation we'll
nigh used up, and their whole bearing
population long since in the service and well
nigh worn out in it, We repeat, we entertain no
fears that Grant will fail to receive in any
given time tar heavier and more effective rein
forcements of men ana material than Pember-
ton and johnson possibly can.
We are in no hurry whatever tor the fall OF
Vicksbury, believing as we do that it must in
evkable fall. Nothing will so exhaust the de-
tensive resources OF the rebels as 8 necessity
for massing the greater portion Of their effective
armies st a {for them) SO out OF the way point
as the vicinity of yicksburg; while such an
operation will surely leave many OF their now
strongly defended points utterly at our mercy
so we are by no means out of patience with
the apparent slow progress of Grants siege,
because, as explained above, the longer it lasts,
the more it is exhausting the general defensive
strength o. the rebellion.