Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
FRom wAsHrseros.
Lees Defenses at GordonsvflIe-Mili.
tary Movements ON the Bapsdun-
Plots OF the Republicans 60 Retain
Power.
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago rmss.l
W.sut~oro~ Navamhar 0S

ROVER
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Timss.l
~ wAsHIserox. November 25.
Two days ago, the public we're RECALLED by the
statement made in the official organ 10 the effect
that Gen. Meades army had broken up their
camp on the north bank Of the Rapidan, and had
commenced an advance movement upon the ene-
my, with ten days cooked rations; and the same
paper adds: "Gen. Meade's army will not STOP
until he finds the enemy even il he has got to 20
to the 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 and sanction of the War Depart
ment. 1t has since been admitted that the state
ment was premature. II is probable. however,
that Gen. Meade will-be compelled to cross the
Rapidan at an early day. When he does so.
your readers will find in my letters of November
November l2 and 81. a prognosis of the events
that must take place. So 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 may get as far
as Gordonsvile. But there they will find their
Charlottesville During the months that have
elapsed since Gen. Lees army returned from
their expedition to Pennsylvania, they have
been actively employed in fortifying that i'm
portant point. Gordonsville indeed, seems des-
tined to play an important part in the future
history of the war. even beyond the present cam
paign. Ii il undoubtedly part Of the Con-
federate 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 they 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 defence as Centre
vile. The tOpogr lphical features Of the two
places so far a. defence is concerned, are very
much alike. At Gordonsvilie. the position is
covered by range of high hills, lying to the
north. the east aud the west OF the town. and slop
ing down in those directions. Lee has taken ad
vantage this fact. and upon these bills 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
10 be hurled on its way to Richmond and it is
not too much TO say that it will prove second
Fredericksburg to our gallan: troops.
1t is easy to say there is no need to attack this
strong position; it can be turned; there other
routes to Richmond There are military reasons
why this position cannot be turned, and why it
must be taken, before our army can march to
Richmond. Meade's orders are not to avoid, but
to seek the rebel army. and TO fight it. If Gen.
Lee retires from the line of the Rapidan, il will
be to take post at GOrdonsyille, and there Meade
must find and fight him. Suppose Gen. Meade
crosses at Germana Ford, and advances toward
Hanover Junction, which is OILY 25 miIse north
of Richmond He will then have turned the
rebel position ut Gordonsville; but it will nave
been the most i'll advised step he could take His
army will then be on the north side of the South
Anna river. ll5 miles from his 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 a large one in itself. But on
this occasion il will he swelled By every available
man who can be drawn from North Carolina, and
by division or two from Charleston, which can
be rapidly concentrated 10y railroad. The ar
my which Gen. Meade will thus find confronting
on the south side of the South Anna river will,
therefore, amount to 40 900 troops; quite enough
with the advantage of the position, to keep him
in check. in the meantime, Gen. Lees army at
Gordonsvile, 90 900 strong at least, will lea We
their entrenchments there and precipitate them.
selves upon his rear Between these two armies.
then, amounting in the aggregate to l00 900
troops, where will our little gallant army be,
which no man pretends to say reaches three
fourths that number? And that army defeated
and cut to pieces. hat will become of Wash
ingtons
Months ago sounded the roie of alarm in re
gard To the dtrociuus designs o! tine administra-
ton in regard 70 the next Presidential election;
and asked Dies ans one really believe that we
will ever be allowed to have another Presidential
election Every week since then the designs OF
the administration on that subject have been as
suming more definite shape and complexion,
until nov il is plainly evident that it has been
determined by Abraham Lincoln that he will re-
tain his present position for another term of four
years that be will permit the forms Of presi-
dental election to be gone through with usual;
but that he will take such measures that no one
will be allowed to vote except those who will
vote for him. To have no election at all. and to
proclaim himself perpetual Dictator. would be a
simple process. But he does not dare to take
this step yet. The mode that have in iicated
while it will preserve the shadow Of free elec
ton, will be but mockery. but il will be equally
10 carry the pretended election in his favor.
Let it he remembered that. although candi-
date for President OF the United States viii be
voted for. yet that candidate will only be voted
for in the United States This at once greatly
simplifies 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 same course that
was recently pursued in Maryland and Delaware.
In States that are known 10 be safe for the Re.
publcans even, this will not he necessary. But
in all the States where heavy Democratic vote
would otherwise tie cast, the army will be present.
as it was in Maryland. II was illegal to prescribe
test oath to the voters OF Maryland 1t was 10
more Illegal to exact test oath of the voters OF
Illinois. of New York. of Ohio of Pennsylvania
In this way. and by other means, the Democratic
vote OF the North will be smothered, and Abra-
ham Lincoln be declared elected for another
term Such is the programme which mas been
sgreed on by the Republican party. in order 20
perpetuate their sway to prolong the war, and to
overthrow the Constitution and the liberties OF
the country. K.