Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
Especial Correspondence of the Chicago Timesl
W .cur~c-o~ Mo- %


IN the Administration papers-has at length
really commenced. The army has at last crossed
the Rubicon-or, the Rapidan, which amounts to
the same thing. In order to give the enemy every
possible facility for knowing the real strength of
the Union forces, the Administration papers have
very obligingly enumerated the various bodies of
troops engaged in the movement, namely, the
ID, Sd. LIST, 5th and 9th corps. As it is well
known that each corps does not contain over 49,
OOO men, the enemy could not have desired a
more explicit statement.
An attempt has been made to lull the country
into a false security by the assertion that Gen.
Lee has only about IS 600 trooos and that Gen.
Ewe is so disabled as not to be able to take the
field. II will not be long, now. however, before
the result of this highly injudicious step on the
part of our army is known. and, while hope for
the best, cannot but fear that the forebodings
OF disaster which have expressed in former let
tiers will be more than realized.
Although it is stated that the FIVE corps are ali
engaged in the movement, yet every one knows
that strong detachment from each must have
been left to guard the long line of communica-
ton between the Rapidan and this city. That
this is absolutely necessary, and that even the
large force so left is entirely inadequate to the
duty, is evident from the fact that on Thanks
giving day two Of our wagon trains were captured
by the enemy, between Clpepper and the Rap
pahannock river. One train. consisting Of thirty
mules, was captured by Mosby, and driven off to
Luray, on the other side of the Blue Ridge.
through Sperryvile and Thornton's Gap. This
train, with its valuable contents of bread meat,
and oats, will no doubt reach the rebel army in
safety. The other train. longer one, was fired;
but the fire extinguished before the contents
of the wagons we're consumed
1t would seem, from the accounts that have
reached here up to this time, that the Confeder-
ates have made their first stand at Orange Court
House. Even if this position is carried by our
troops. or abandoned by the Cobfederates, the
reasons why Gordonsvle will have to be assault
ed and carried, as stated in my letter of Novem-
Der 25th, will still exist
The events now in progress near Chattanooga,
according to the private accounts that have been
received here, are by no means indicative of the
final result of the campaign. 1t will be remem-
bered that the movement on the part of Bragg
whatever it is, has been made in accordance with
1 the programme agreed on between that officer,
Gen. Johnston, and JEFF. Davis himself. 1t may
be retreat; but, to those who look below the
surface of things, it appears to be more like a
strategic movement, intended to draw the Union
forces away from the strong position of Chatta-
noOga, and to involve their columns in the ntri-
cacies of the mountain passes of Northern Geor-
gia. No one doubts the military abilities of Geu.
Grant. But he is now entering upon campaign
which will tax those abilities to the utmost. To
penetrate with his army the interior of Georgia,
aud to do this without disaster, viii be, if he
succeeds in doing il, the greatest achievement of
the war. The idea OF marching his army through
Georgia and South Carolina to Charleston, which
is thrown out by officials here. is too absurd to
refute.
The friends ofthe President-I mean those men
who boast, with reason, that they control his ac-
ton TO great extent-clam that his next mes
sage will take decided radical ground, and will be
II
ton. They say that it will contain the enuneia
ton of tile principle, which is hereafter TO be
engraftel on the Republican creed part of the
policy of the government, that State will be
allowed 10 return TO the Union until it has abol-
ished slavery, and that, hereafter, slavery can
never exist in the Union They say that it will
also boldly meet the issue of the exchange of
prisoners. on the ground stated in my letter of
Nov. l9 aud will declare that it is part of the
policy Of tue government that there shall be no
distinction made hereafter in any respect what
ever. between white men and black men in the
army. They say that the message will also re
commend to Congress Ito provide by legislation
for conferring the right to vote upon the black
man who has fought for the government.
To this complexion, indeed, it must come at
last. if the Republicans retain their power.
| The country has been warned, time and time
again. that the fundamental dogma of the Re
publican party negro equality in its broadcast
and most offensive shape. And is seems that :he
time has now come when this oathsome thing is
to be thrust into our faces. The revolution upon
which have entered must, however. run its
course. We must drink TO the dregs the cup of
humiliation, which we deserve for permitting the
first encroachments upon liberties and upon
The Constitution The usurpatons of the Re-
publican party might have been stopped if the
people had taken time for reflection when the
country was first plunged into cruel, and unjust,
and unnecessary war The abolition of the ha-
beas corpus the Illegal arrests. the denial of trial
by jury the conscripuon bill, were, each one, a
far deeper stab, far more deadly blow, against
the nation and the Government than the act of
few craZS rebels in firing on Fort Sumter.
The latter act, artfully brought about by the
Administration reused the minimizing masses of
the North Ia pitch offury. The former named
acts, on the part OF the public servants of the
people, tailed to arouse the people to a sense of
the peril to their liberties. They submitted in
silence, and they now powerless at the feet of
executive despoiiSm. The revolution must go
on. But there viii come a day when our liberties
will be reganed. although it costs oceans of blood
to accomplish it
In the last paragraph of my letter of October
25th. there hint for the capture of Rich
mOnd. which. il the Administration had been
wise. might easily have been improved. Ever
since that time the road 10 Richmond. upon the
route ndicaied, has heen open and compare
lively unguarlcd nee that time, the beastly
Butler has been placed in command at the very
spot from which expedition to Richmond
ght set out with fair prospects OF success. III
the Administrations really wi~e,l to end the war,
what splendid opportunity is just now afforded
for the success OF such aii expedition. II such an
expedition were now advancing cn Richmond
from the south. there be little doubt that
Gen Meade would be able so succeed in his pres.
ent movement. On the other hand, If by con-
centrating all their troops to confront General
Meade, the latter officer SHOULD be defeated,
Richmond would be thereby left so utterly de-
fenseless that il would fall an easy prey to Gen.
Butler But such victory is not what the Ad-
mnistration desires. Butler was not sent to his
present command to win victories in the field, or
to lead. or even to plan military expeditions
He WAS sent there IN pursuance OF the policy of
retarding and protracting the war, which has be
come the policy of the Administration. He
sent there in orier to make it that Rich
mond should not be taken. The Confederate
government knows Butler inside and out. They
know there is no fight in him. They know they
are safe from all attacks from the South, and
therefore they can concentrate all their troops in
n orth Carolina and Eastern Virginia, to repel
the advance of Gen. Meade. X.
Another Presidential Candidate.
~ The Washington correspondent of the Oncin
natl Enquirer says: N -.
Anew Presidential candidate has arisen, who
promises to distance all who have yet entered for
the race. General Grant, whose effective work
has ontstripped all our other Generals, and whose