Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-01
FROM WARRINGTON.
Lees Defenses at GordonsvilIe-.uili
tary Movements ON the Rapidan-
Plots OF the pnbiicans tn Retain
Power.


Especial Correspondents Of the Chicago Tinssl
WAsHISGToy. November %.
Two days ago. the public we're RECALLED by the
statement made IL The Official organ 10 the effect
that Gen. Meade's army had broken up their
camp on the north bank Of the Rapidan and hsd
commenced an advance movement upon the enc
nv. with ten DAYS cooked rations and the same
paper adds: Gen Meade's army viii not stop
until be finds the enemy. even II he has got to go
20 tho very walls Of Richmond -
There was no truth in this statement at the
time it was made. although IT was put forth under
the authority aud sanction OF the War Depart
ment. 1t has since been admitted that the state
ment premature. IL is probable, however.
that Gen. Meade will be compelled to cross the
Rapdan early day. When he does so
your readers will find in my letters of November
November II and 81 prognosis of the events
that must take place. 80 far going To the
very walls of Richmond is concerned. no army
marching from the North can ever do that.
Gen Meade's army at this time NAV get as far
as GOrdonsye But there they will find their
ChsncellOrville During the months that have
elapsed since Gen. Lees army returned from
their expedition TO Pennsylvania, they have
been actively employed in FORTH wing that i'm
portant point. Gordonsyle indeed, seems des
tined to play important part in the future
history OF the war; even beyond the present cam
paign. lt is undoubtedly part Of the Con
/ Tolerate plan to regain possession of both Knox
vile and Chattanooga, and of the whole of
| Eastern Tennessee and Southern Kentucky; and
| in order TO do this thew must retain possession Of
| the whole of the Great Southern Railroad. and
particularly Of the railroad junction at GordOns-
Vile Nature. indeed. has rendered Gordons
vile susceptible of as strong a defence Centre
vile The Typographical features of the two
| places, so far n defence is concerned, are very
/ much alike At Gordousville, the position is
covered by a range Of high hills. living to the
north. the east aud the west OF the town and slop
ing down in those directions. Lee has taken al
vantage of this fact. and upon these hills several
strong forts have been erected. the guns OF which
command all the approaches. Against this strong
bulwark of the Army Of the Potomac will have
to be hurled on its way to Richmond; and it is
not too much to say that it will prove second
| Fredericksburg 10 our Gtllsn: troops
1t is easy to say there is no need To attack this
strong position; il can be turned; there other
routes to Richmond. There are military reasons
why this position cannot be turned, and why il
must be taken, before our army can march 90
Richmond. Meade's orders not To avoid but
10 seek the rebel army. and 10 fight il. Ii Gen
Lee retres from the line of the Rapidan il will
be to take post at Gordonsville. and there Meade
must find and fight hin. Suppose Gen. Meade
crosses at Germunia Ford, and advances toward
| Hanover Junction, which is oily % mise north
of Richmond He will then have turned the
rebel position at GordOnsvife; but it will nave
been the most i'll advised step he could take His
army will then be Ola the north side OF the South
/ Anna river. ID miles from bis base of supplies
| Before him. to dispute his passage of the river,
will be the rebel army that has been retained
there for the immediate defense of Richmond
That army is not large one il Itself. But on
Il 4 II
man who can he drawn from North Carolina. and
10y division or two from Charleston, which can
be rapidly concentrated by railroad The Ar
my which Gen. Meade will thus find confronting
on the south side of the South Anna river will
therefore amount to ~, 900 troops; quite enough,
with the advantage of the position, to keep ham
in check In the meantime, Gen. Lees army at
Gordonsville, 1000 strong. ut least. will leave
their entertainments there and precpitate them.
selves upon MS rear. Between these two armies.
then. amounting in the aggregate to 100 900
troops, where will our little gallant army be,
which man pretends to say reaches three
| tourths that number? And that army defeated
and cut TO pieces, what will become of Wash
ington'
Months ago sounded the note of alarm in re
gard 10 the atrociOus designs o. the administra-
ton in regard to the next Presidential election:
and asked Does any one really believe that we
election ? Every week since then the designs OF
the administration on that subject have been as
suming more definite shape and complexion,
until il is plainly evident that il has been
determined by Abraham Lincoln that he will re-
tain his present position for another term Of four
; years that lie will permit the forms of presi-
Dental election 10 be gone through with as usual
but that ne will take such measures that one
will be allowed 10 vote except those who will
Co. II all md m
, proclaim himself perpetual Dictator. would be a
simple process But he does not dare 10 take
this step yet. The mode that have in Heated
while il will preserve the shadow of a free cleo
) ton, will be but m0ckery, but it will be equally
10 carry the pretended election in his favor
. Let it be remembered that although cand
2 date for President OF the United States will be
+. voted for. yet that candidate will only be voted
for in the United States This at once greatly
smplifes matters and takes off the immense vote
that would be cast against him at the South
Then all that will be necessary will be to pursue
{ in all the doubtful States, the stme course that
was recently pursued in Maryland and Delaware
In States that are known TO be safe for the Re
publicans even, this will not be necessary. But
! in all the States where heavy Democratic vote
would otherwise be cast, the army will be present
a. it VAS in Maryl 1t was illegal to prescrib,
{ test oath 10 the voters OF Maryland. TWAS nc
more Illegal 10 exact test oath of the voters OF
e Illinois, OF New York. OF Ohio, of Pennsylvania
In this way. and by other means. the Democratic
vote of the North will he smothered. and Abra
ham Lincoln be declared elected for another
. term Such is the programme which has been
I agreed on by the Republican party, IN order tC
E perpetuatc their sway To prolong the war. and tC
E overthrow the Constitution aud the liberties o
! the country. \.
southern News.