, 1863-03-28
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
MORNING, MAR. %, 1868
Situation of affairs at the East.

0l6udblOu OF dLdlIS tLJ bQH GdSG.
The army of the Potomac is about to
move on Richmond for the fourth time
Gen. Hooker has ordered the baggage of
officers to be cut down to the lowest posi-
Bile weight. Officers of the line will be
compelled to pack their own shelter tents,
knapsacks and haversacks,- placing
them on the same footing as the rank and
file. This is doing things after the fash
ion of Stonewall jackson a method pro-
ductive Of the happiest results, by giving
mobility to the army-without which STRAIT
egy is useless and mere bravery worse than
useless. From this reform, the long bag
gage trains-alwsys tempting prize to
the valiant ragamueins of the Confederate
army-will be dispensed with, and officers
be made to appreciate the dreadful realities
of war as well as the humble soldier Of
course this reform of Gen. Hooker's is
violation of the scienca of "Logistics," and
will prove unpopular with the band box
style of officers but it will meet the appro-
baton of the earnest officers of the army
everywhere. 1t is thought that the advance
on Richmond will be made this time by
the crossings on the lower RI ppahannock,
as Fredericksburg is impregnable to direct
attack, and the line by Culs
leave both fanks of the Union army un-
covered
The progress of the siege al Vicksburg
is enveloped in obscurity and the rise of
waters has interfered with the direct at
tack on the place. 1t is plain that the ca
nal has not proved a success, as the lower
end of it is controlled by the batteries of
the Confederates, and the difficulties at
tending the passage of the river are not OBJ
waited by the artificial channel the OBJ
structions are the same in character but the
locality is different Although it is not
expressed in the kilograms, it is quite GER
tain that the Confederates have damned up
the outlet of the canal under the cover of
their guns, as the washing out of this dam
is mentioned in the news, Certainly the
Unionists did not stop up their own canal.
so the Confederates must have doue it. 1t
is plain that if Vicksburg is not captured
that the Unionists must look elsewhere to
find channel in which to turn tse waters
of the great river, OF the navigation of it
will be obstructed as at present.
Protracted rain storms have rendered
active operations impossible in Tennessee,
but in Kentucky the rebels are active, and
are again threatening Fort Douelson. The
rise in tie rivers may give the Unionists
many advantages in reinforcing and sup
plying their armies in Tennessee, but it al
50 prevents them from hunting the enemy
for purposes of offensive warfare
Gen. Hunter has published general or
der announcing his purpose to attack
Charleston, and before this time has doubt
less commenced the siege of that place.
His forces joined to those of Gen Foster,
may be safely estimated at upwards of 9O,-
900 men-which should be sufficient to in
sure success in the enterprise.
Gen. Frank Blair recommended highly
for the military Governorship of Texas,
whittier it is intended to send military
force ito develope the Union sentiment"
To the eyes of the unsophistcated it ap-
pears as if it would be better to sever Tex
as from the eastern Confederate States be-
fore occupying her territories for any
Union army in that quarter will be liable
20 attack from superior forces, unless the
Mississippi is patrolled, by the Union gun
boats. However, there may be some deep
strategem in trying to occupy vast terri
tory, filed with hostile population and in
full communication with reinforcements,
which is not visible to the naked eye.
The military and naval operations at
other points on the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts, appear to be langulshing, but the
spring months will certainly bring forth
terrible results, the character of which no
man can forecast.
In Europe, the Polish insurrection is at
tracing much attention, and it is reported
that the Russians have been defeated by
the insurgents. The question of an aili-
ance between England, France and Aus
tria, to intervene N Polish affairs, has been
mooted Should those nations interfere in
the matter, the North German States, the
Russians, the Greek, Christian and the
Sclavic States would probably be found
acting in concert ard cbristendom would be
convulsed with a war more general and ter
rible than any of modern times
REMovALs.-All Ii the Federal ofice-hold-
ers in San Francisco, have been removed.
Charles Watrous, the bribery and corrupt
ion individual, is the representative man of
the California Federal officials. The re-
moval of these political rascals is gratify-
ing occurrence. Any change must be for
the better. The same action might be ia
ken in regard to the Federal office holders
Of this Territory. A pretty general sweep
ing out Of them, would be eminently sat-
isfactory to the people
New HAMPSHIRE ELEcTIoN.-Returns