Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-22
Special Correspondence of the Chiacgo Times.

Specldl OOrreSpOndence OF the CllacgO Times.
WAsHISGroS, June is.
The excitement here during Sunday, yesterday
and to-day has been unequalied by anything du-
ring the war. except the alarm that was felt here
on the % of Sep; ember last, when Pope. after his
utter defeat, was fleeing for shelter to the Wash
iDgton forts, and the terror that prevailed here ON
the day after the first battle of Bull Run. On
both of these occasions the capital was really in
great peril, and it is the opinion of MANY men
high in public station that the danger which
threatens Washington now is quite as great as
that which was imminent on either of those Oc
casiOns.
That the President fully shares these fears
is eFident from his proclamation, issued yester
day, calling for 100 900 volunteers. That there
is any necessity for such a call, is one of the most
striking proofs of the utter incompetency of the
Administration and particularly of the War De
partment.
Here is Pennsylvania not only threatened with
invasion. but actually invaded, and no prepara-
ton made whatever to guard against or repel
such inyssionl This invasion opens the way for
AN attack ON Washington. from the North. and
no adequate prepar ,tioDs have been made to
guard asainsr such an attack. Such are the re-
suits of Dir Lincoin's strategy for it is he alone.
or, at most. lie n ri Stanton, who have been man
agins the war iUr The last Sc, On months.
The invasion OF Pennsylvanis, which is now
taking place, is no surprise TO the country. Gen.
Lee has been making his Preparations for it
openly, IN the face of div. Tor the last four
weeks. His inienIiDn to do 50 has been uumpeted
IN the newspapers Tor three weeks at least. The
Administration knew it certainly would take
place. and, il they hid any common sagacity,
they might have known that it would have taken
place at the period most favorable to the Confed-
crates and most unfayorable to Us; that is to say,
when a long spell of dry weather had dried up
the sire1ms and rivers SO that they could be most
easily forded, and when our armies had become
depleted AS much rs they could be by the depart
ure of all the old regiments of vateran traops.
That period has now arrived. Knowing this,
they knew also that a vast number OF additional
troops would be required TO repel the invasion.
They have now called for those troops. But
they have waited until Pennsylvania is actually
invaded before they have called for theml Why
was not the call for troops made three weeks ago,
so that the men could be raised, and at least par
TALLY drilled, before they were brought face to
face with the foe7 It is idle to think they can be
raised now and organized so as 10 he OF any ser
vice: for, before this can be done. the objects of
the invasion will have been accomplished. AL
ready the Confederate forces have captured Win.
chester and Msrtinsburg. have crossed the POto-
mae. occupied Hagerstown, and have advanced
to Cha mbersburg. which is now in their posses
siOn-ClHmbersburgh, which was to be the head
quartess of Gen. CDuchl
lDt DEfpic vi 4 tili-l Ill DC COiupiClC
" bewiIdercd BY The numerous calls made upon
them for military service. Two weeks ago the
machinery of the conscription act began TO be
put in operation in that State. 1t was working
along "a tremendously there as in any Of the
other States, only interrupted here and there by
the shooting of a Provost Marshal, or by the
burning Of a barn or house of an enrolling officer.
A week ago, however, the people OF that State
were amazed TO find that Gen. Couch and Gov.
Curtin had ordered all the men in the State be-
tween the ages Of eighteen and sixty to organize
for the protection of the Stale And now, to
cap the climax, the Presidents proclamation of
Yesterday calls upon them TO raise Immediately,
SO. 0j0. volnSfeerS What are they to dot Which
call nre Ihey Ia attend irsty III they suffer
themsei, c. 10 be coircIipted, they surely will
thing that that ought to satisfy " the Govern
meIt " II tsey turn nut en- ntasse under Gener
al Couch's call, or furnish 80, mo volunteers
for the President, shey will ask. "Why c%ouscript
u.s."
But suppose the 100. 900 volunteers raised. in
accordance with the term, of the Presidents pro
clamation. IAN Impossible superstition, | admit)
does any sane man expect or believe that they
can cope for a moment with the veterans OF
StOnewal Jackson's corps, or with those OF
Longstreet and Hillf The idea is absurd. The
whole thing shows how short sighted MIR. Lincoln
is. Nothing is easier tban Ia keep the ranks OF
an army always full. Had the proper plan been
pursued by Mr. Lincoln. we would never have
heard OF Odd regiments going home. Kept con-
stantly full by The infusion of fresh blood and
fresh recruits. the battle torn 6ag OF every one of
the old regiments would now he waving over as
large and effective Az arms as We ever had, and
there would be 40 necessity for ever calling for
new regiments. or even for The cpnscription.
You will ask, why has Aooker, with The fin
est army on the planet, " not prevented this inva
sion of Pennsylvania by Gen. Lee? He was sta
toned on the Rappahannock To fight Gen. Lees
army; why has be not done il The answer has
been furnished by the Administration newspapers
during every day for n week past. They have
boosted that the recent ca vairs fight on the Rap
pahannock did break up Lees design OF invasion
Of the North You see now how much truth
there was in that assertion You see that the
facts confirm what / said about that cavalry
fight In my last letter. The true answer to the
question is. Hooker, IL he had been a good Gen
eTal, would have prevented this invasion; for ne
had ample means to do 50. Not being a good
General, he has not.
The feet is, Hooker has been out generated by
Lee, in this affair, a great deal worse than he
was at ChanceIlorville During the last three