Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-30

ArnlNUIUN ~ u
ENoSD-Now-DEsxsD- soR rHE RESTORATION
or McCLEILAs.
! special Correspondence to the Chicago Times.
WASHINGTON, June 20.
The deveIopements of the last three days leave
no room for doubt as to the objects which Gen.
Lee has in view. and they throw a great deal OF
light. also, on the manner in which that officer
proposes to attain those objects. Gen. Lee is
moving on this city with an army that cannot be
less than 100 900 men, and which is probably
lbs 900 strong. In order to effect his object more
surely, he appears to be maneuvering with his
cavalry in such a manner as to cut of Washing
ton from all communication with the rest of the
North.
1t is now definitely ascertained that the Con-
federate infantry force which defeated Milroy al
Winchester, and Tyler nc Martinsburg, did not
cross the Potomac at all, and of course did not
go into Pennsylvania. but proceeded westward
along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road to Cumberland. and eastward to Harpes's
Ferry and Point of Rocks. They have posses
sion of the road along that whole distance, fully
100 miles, and have destroyed many of the
bridges and torn up n great deal of the track.
Thus Washington is cut off from all direct raj
road communication with the West.
To-day il is stated that Gen Ewell's corps Of
Lees army, "a 900 strong, is in possession of
Frederick City in Maryland, and is advancing
towards Baltimore, or towards Annapolis juno
ton, on the Washington railroad. The latter
destination is the most probable. The most for
midable preparations are being made 20 defend
Baltimore, and il is the opinion of the military
authorities there that il will be attacked. But
whether that city be taken or not, there can be
no doubt that the Confederates will seek TO de
| stroy the railroad bet Baltimore and Wash
ington, in order TO isolate the capital and cut II
off from all succor. There is very little doubt
that the Maryland Nights, at Hsrper's Ferry
either have already been carried by Gen. Ewell
or viii before he advances towards either Balti-
more or Annapolis Junction. Ii would be the
part of wisdom, under existing circumstances 10
abandon the position, and concentrate all the
troops now there for the defense of Baltimore
and the railroad between Baltimore and this city
If this is not done, il can scarcely be doubted
that the railroad, at least, will be in great peril
But Il probably will not be done. Tyler's com
mand then will probably be sacrificed. as that o.
the lamented aud gallant Col. Miles was.
Gen. Lees headquarters are understood to bt
at Centreville. this morning. but the main bod
Of his army is no longer there. Tie direction
taken by his columns indicates that he will no
advance on the city by way of Fairfax, but will
attack the capital from the North. IL is stateC
that before he left Warrenlon TO move on Cen
te-ville, he detached one whole corps THAT o
Gen. ID. II. HfI) 30, 900 strong, which moved Il
BrentsvilIe, thence to Dumfries, where they arr
now Ii is said that this corps is accompanied b,
a powerful train of artillery and by a large pon
toon train. IDENTIFIES is on the Potomac. 2.
miles below this CITY. If this statement is cor
rect. il may Indicate an intention on the part o
Gen. Lee to re establish the batteries on the Pc
tomac, and to cross the river there, or at som
point above, and so advance on Bladepsburg
there to meet and CO operate with Ewell's corps
The main body of Gen. Lees army, however, i
definitely ascertained to be advancing towarV
Drainsville. with the apparent intention of cross
ing the Potomac at Coon's Ford, IL miles above
the city. II this be so, il dispeis all conjecture
and. together with the facts mentioned above
affords a certain basis on which TO judge of Gen
Lees intentions.
In this terrible emergency. the Administrator
il pursuing a course which cannot but result mos
disastrously. They are Quite aware that Hooke
is completely bewildered: that he does not anC
cannot comprehend the situation: and that tn,
army will not fight under him with that confidence
which is essential to a successful defense. Their
is only one man who can save Washington, anC
the Administrator will not send for him, becaus,
if he comes here, Stanton and Hallock will hav,
to leave. The alternative is plainly before Mr.
Lincoln, and he cannot evade il. He must eithe
dismiss these two men. or imperii the capital, per
hsps s1cri6ce it. With Gen. Mcclellan in com
manh, every old soIuier IN Tire d'eb~adoL ~;
ments Of the Army of the Potomac would rusl
back to the capital with %alacrity. But they will
not come back to fight under Hooker. The
have had too much OF him already.
The story of Rockers retreat from Fredericks
burg to Washington has not vet been told. But
when +elated in full, il will form IL most disgrace
full chapter in the annals of the Administration
More than a thousand OF the battle SCARED yete
rams Of the Peninsular campaign fell down on th'
hurried march, sun struck. and died actually fol-
want of water!
1t is at such "A moment as this that the Admin
istration is INDUCING in idle dreams about tn,
capture of Richmond by our forces on the PENN
sula. There was a time when this was feasible
1t was about three or four weeks ago. when Lee,
army was depleted by sending some regiments tC
Chattanooga. when Beauregard' army at Charles
ton had been sent to reinforce Johnston neal
Yicksburg. and when the whole OF Virgins. had
been drained Of every available man. That wa:
Ho0ker's golden moment to take Richmond, for
which undertaking. at that time. he had $50 ,OOC
Available troops. But that moment passed away
The defense OF Richmond is now amply provided
for. All the troops under Gen. DIX. Gen. Peck,
aud Gen. Foster ought 10 be Immediately brought
1p here, where they could do good service. But
there is no likelihood that this will be done.
lt is utterly incomprehensible why the Admin
~istration continues such a man as Hooker in com
mand OF the Army OF the fOtomac AT such y
crisis as this. And yet they not only do so, but
they endoavor to delude the people by causing
the Administration organs to publish ambiguous
paragraphs, to the effect that Hooker is watching
the enemy. and that Lee is getting into a trap
Is il not time that this childishness is Abandoned
Is our capital at any value at allf The conducl
OF the Administration can only be accounted for
on the supposition that they are tired of the war,
that they despair of bringing it to a successful
termination. and that the loss OF the capital will
afford them a decent pretext for abandoning the
war. If il were otherwise. would they not have
made ample provision for troops to take the place
of those regiments whose time has expired and
who have gone homer If il were otherwise
would not the Administration have provided
properly and in time for the defense of Balti-
more. which is really the key 20 Washington
If it we're otherwise. would not Gen. Mcclellan
have been summoned long ere now, to defend
the capitali X.