Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-13

Special Correspondence of the Chicago Times.
WAsHINGToN. April 80.
There seems to be a prevailing impression i'm
military, political and other circles that the pres.
ent spring campaign, now opening So formidable
on the Mississippi in Tennessee, at Charleston,
and on the Rappahannock. is to be the great
turning point of the war. 1t is easy to see what
the effect of n tremendous triumph for either side
would be ut this particular crisis of affairs. 1t is
probable that the c%1mpaigu on the RapDahan
mock, in which Gen. Hooker's guns are actively
at work 10 day. is looked forward to by the nu-
thoriies with more hope for decided success than
that in any other part of the country. This is
based mostly ou the knowledge of the immense
facilities placed ia the hands Of Gen. Hooker, and
the general belief that the enemy is in every re-
saect his inferior You are better able to Judge
of aft iirs at VickShurg Than we of the East, and,
a. for the battle supposed 10 be raging in trout
to day. even the censorizei telegraph will give
you the very important result ere this letter
reaches YOU.
On next Sunday the spring tides are again high
over Charleston har. and we are told here that
the attack OF The iron clads will he made again on
Sumter ant the Rebel b~itteries. A co-opera-
tinn of the land forces Is promised hut. a. the
Rebel works are very strong on the natursl de-
fences of the creeks. marshes. etc, TO the south
OF the CITY. lille can he expected in the way of
success from them, especially under the com
mand of Gen Hunter. who is vet to show the first
claim to militar, tactics Ii Charleston falls ut
all it will he from the iron clads. and nothing else;
and, on this conclusion, opinions are widely at
variance among naval men. With the change of
ordnance which has been affected. it is not i'm
probable that Sumter may he preached and the
fire OF Moultrie silenced. The great impediment
is the instructions i'm the harbor, which the enemy
has, without doubt. made much stronger since
the late attack. But the news from Charleston
next week will be looked for almost with as much
anxiety AS that from the Rappahannock to day.
Secretary Seward and a few Ministers of the
smaller European powers are still on their sight
seeing mission down in the army. The Secretary
of State, before his departure, expressed himself
very satisfactorily over the foreign war question,
and looked to so peaceable a solution of it as to
write to Lord Lyons TO go with his party, in order
that they might congratulate each other that Mr..
Seward had saved England from a war. 1t is of
course very probable that the present quiescent
phase of foreign affairs as solely the result of
his diplomatic strategy.
The Mexican Minister has just had an inter-
view with the President on the war in his coun-
try, and informed him of his entire belief that the
French will soon be driven out. An understand
ing has been had regarding the shipment of the
contraband goods from New York TO the French
in Mexico. by permission of Secretary Seward.
SOuc iuOuthc aSo.
Fast day" in Washington has been more gen.
orally observed than any other similar day in the
history of the war. There is an entire suspen
sion Of business in all the Departments and on
the street. The churches not occupied as hospi-
tails have been we'll attended, and throughout pri-
vate circles there has been a very strict obser-
vance OF the occasion as one for fasting. humilia-
ton. and Dray yer. Perhaps one of the greatest
reasons which has conduced to The sober quiet of
the day is the rigid enforcement OF the milItar-
rule against the sale of liquor within the city
limits, and the confinement OF soldiers to their
proper quarters.
Gov. Pierpont anc several members Of the
State Government at Wheeling arrived in Wash
ington a week or two ago, to urge the authorities
10 send troops to West Virginia to intercept the
Rebel cavalry raid now going on there. They
found it quite impossible to obtain any assistance,
Gen. II llleck saying that he had not a man to
spare for any such purpose. at the same time
doubling that the enemy really intended any such
raid. Nov that it has really taken place, troops
have been sent there; in the language of the
homely adage, THE stable door is locked after
the horse is stolen" But the inconvenience aud
loss to the Government has been verv great. A
little foresight would have prevented all the I'M
fortunate consequences. This same General Hal
leck, however. pooh -poohed at all the reliable
Information furnished him of Lees contemplated
invasion of Maryland.