Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-08

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2
/ have some direct intelligence from the Army
OF the Potomac up to the 3Oth OF Nov ulber
which Is two DAYS later than ms last letter This
fact Is of some Importance under existing circum
stances, for ecu. Meade has cut loose from com
municAlion with Washington The wisdom OF
this course may well be doubted for il is at best
but desperate expefent Ii illustrates how
ever. the utter impracIicabty of the overland
~ Richmond, when General of such proyerba
prudence as Meade is obliged to resort to des-
perate expedient. Ii is a confession that he can
not guard his long line OF communication, aud
therefore abandous it TO the mercy OF the sfrag
Cling bands OF guerrillss. By this excellent
indeed he obtains the use OF the troops
which he would otherwise have been obliged
to employ in guarding the railroad. but
he is also Obliged to carry all his provisions aud
supplies for men and horses with him, aud this
provision, for ten days, must burden him greatly
Could anything more forcby illustrate the su
perior advantages of the peninsula route TO
RIchmOndf On that route there are two lines
OF water communication, almost TO the coveted
city itseif, requiring 10 troops TO guard them,
and by which. under the protection of a few gun
boats, the supplies of a whole army could be trans
ported.
The intelligence which have received con
firms the pr0gnOsis Contained in my letters of
NONeuUsT &, ~ anu IN rcIdru 10 the designs
of Gen Lee. Ii is now evident, however, that
his forces are much larger than has been sup
posed. There are at present with him the two
corps of Gen Ewell aid Gen. A y. Hill, each
$4,000 strong lone division OF Long streets corps,
about I'D ,OO0 men; and body of cavalry, under
Gen Stuart, which the best authorities estimate
at lS, 900 strong This gives him a force of about
80 0OU Iroops. and this is really the force against
which Gen Meade is advancing. 1t is utterly
impossible that lac succeed, even To say
nothing OF the advantage Of position on Gen.
Lees side, for even the Administration organs
here do not pretend that Meade has over 6J QUO
men.
Up Monday things had not heen going on
well. On the 2oth our cavalry had suffered II
severe repuse, with heavy loss On the sa me
day heavy rain prevailed for twelve hours,
which not only saturated the ground like sponge,
but soaked the men through and through. The
country, too, was found 10 be SO heavily wooded
as TO make operations with artillery nearly i'm
practicable, aud ia the more open country the gun
carriages and ammunition wagons sank To the
axes IN the tough mud. 1t was discovered too,
that our officers had been deceived by the stories
of refugees and reliable contrabands," both in
regard to the topography and CONFORMATION of
the country, and IN regard to the position of the
enemys defensive works: and, in consequence Il
this, the whole OF Sunday was devoted To una ing
the proper Reconnaissance. On monday morn
ing an attack was commenced by all the artillery
that coald be got To the front, but t made not the
slightest impression the enemy's works, nor
did their artillery reply An attempt then
made To carry the position by storm, Two OF our
corps being engaged in the assault. This assault.
although most gallauty made. was at last
repused, the enemy using smooth-bore cannon,
grape-shot. shell, and musketry, with terrible
effect.
Thus matters stand at present. The enemy =
position is on "A small stream, which answers the
purpose Ola wide and deep ditch, ten miles east
of Orange Court House. The latter place, and
GOrdOnsvllle, must also both he attacked and car
ried. even ii aud after the one is taken In view
OF the thousands OF brave men that must be sac
ritced in these Useless. fruitless cumbats, how
app-opos is Burke's description of the tyrant who
shrieks to General Meade to - fnd and fight the
enemy:
Il conceive existence under heaven
that is more truly odiOus and disgusting than an
impOtent help less creature. without civil wisdom
or military Skill without Il consciousness OF any
other qualification for power but his servilty o
it, bloated with pride and arrogance. and ealing
for battles which he is not To fight q"
Very many of the readers of the Times will be
much pleased to hear of the promotion OF gal
laut gentleman, formerly OF Chicago, width has
Colonel of the 40th Regiment New York voun
teers. who has served faithfully aud with distinc-
ton during the whole war; ever since May, 1852,
having been commander of the regiment ,med
His services in the Pennsular campaign were of
so eminent nature a. To call forth the warm
encumiums of the lamented General Phillip
Kearney. OF whose divi 'ion his regiment formed
part; Of General Heintzeman, his corps com.
mander. and of General Mcclellan himself
Since August, 1862, Col. Egan and his veteran
regiment have done good service in the Army OF
the Potomac; and. during portion OF the time.
Col Egan has been in comm md of several regi.
ments. and has performed the actual duties oi a
Brgsdier General. He has now. how ever. been
promoted 10 that rank aud now holds the com
mission of a Brigadier General. | can safely saw,
there is not more meritorious or deserving 9TH
Ger in the reserve He is an officer who has the
happy faculty of winning the entire conf ience Of
his men aud of inspiring them with his own PR
its. His regiment was always invincible. When
ever Gen. kearney gave an order to Col Egan,
he was in the habit of saying bat the service was
as good done already. for he never knew the
brave 10Th regiment 10 fail him. There is 10
doubt that Gen. Egan will bring his whole brigade
up TO the same high standard of excellence Gen.
Meade himself is much graii6ed at Gen. Esan's
promotion. X.