Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-03
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Position 81 Affairs ON the Potomac
Geuerni ~ right IN Com maod-NOv
mcnts os the conference.-the, at
Niliinmsport
From the New York News Correspondent

From the New York News Correspondent
WAsHISGTOS, July %.
II the Government" would allow the facts
which are known, 10 be published the public
anxiety would be greatly reies ed. and the appre
tensions of any immediate danger from the Con
federate forces now on the Potomac would be
some = hat les>ened. But this will not be permit
ted. The facts which have transpred, under my
own notice during the last four DAYS do not sat
isfy me that the Administration is correctly in
formed either 10 regard to the strength OF the Con
federate forces near Harpers Ferry. or in regard
TO their immediaie designs; that the
ures that have been taken are sufficient 10 pre-
vent the execution of those designs But they
Indicate that there is better degree oil prepare
ton TO meet the threatened danger now than
there has been at any former period. And may
add, that it the Confederate force now near vii
Transport and Harper Ferry is merely the same
that engaged il the recent investment OF
this city. they will be unable 20 effect anything
of consequence this time; ana this j. the view
the administration takes On the other hand. il
;hey have been &c enforced 10 the extent that hiss
been reported. Il Elrly and Brecknridge have
been joined by y. L. Hill's corD=, aud il the lat
ter officer is in command, AS IL is reported. ;hen
there il reason to fear more serious couse-
quences. for IN that case the measures that have
been taken are not equal to the emergency.
| will venture to mention one fact. The task
of meeting aud repeing the invaders, and the
responsibility of defeating their designs on Mary
land aud Pennsy lvania, and in this direction, ha-
been intrusted TO Gen. Wright. the able aud
gallant commander of 6h Army Corps. may
not enumerate all the troops under his com Taand,
nor state. Of course. where they are posted But
they embrace the whole three divisions Of the
9Th corps good portion OF the 10Th corps, OF
which Gen Emory division forms part: ail of
Gen Hunters TROOPS recently at Hafpers Ferry,
and all of the troops recently under Gen. Crook.
Gen. Averill, Gen Kelly aud Col Mulgsu
Gen Wright himself is now at point on the
Upper Potomac. where he can can watch the
movements OF tie Conederates 10 advantage
and his troops are posted that they can IN
tcrcept and oppose any attempted movement into
Maryland II such movement is made. battle
+ will Immediately ensue and of such battle the
/ public OF course will be Immediately informed
I On one point there can be 10 doubt. II il is
/ the intention OF the COnfederues 20 cross the
+ Potomac. IL is ia their power TO do n almost
any point between Willamsport and Seneca
Creek. the latter about twenty miles above this
city Their crossing cannot be prevented IL that
forms part of their programme While cross
ing. however. ana after they have crossed. thes
will have 20 encounter whatever portion Of Gen.
+ Wright's forces can be concentrated AZ the
spot and the result OF the action TINT ensues will
+ determine the sub. equent movements The line
I u long one. the distance from WilliamspOrt 10
+ Seneca Greek being abou, seventy miles. Small
/ detichmentso of the Confederate troops have been
seen during the last twenty four hours ~ dozen
ponts on the south side ct the Potomac between
Sheph'r st win and Elward's Ferry They are
no DOUBT accomplishing parties A few OF them
come over the river in the nigh, and get from
parties on ,hi. side nl the information they de
size Ia regard 90 the movements and positions OF
cur forces. that they know perfectly all that j.
going on ON this side.
Severe fighting has been going ou al Williams
mort to-day Yesterday the Coniederaies had
mas.cd a considerable force on the opposlf" side
OF the river. aud 70 was deemed advisable 20
.ecute the presence. ut Willipmsport, o. = Fed
eral force large enough "a Illustrate any view.
they miaht have in that direction AT the las,
accounts winch | received. large body of Oh,
? ConiederateS Were attempting 10 cross. and yer,
: heavy firing was going on. The only crcum
stance that indicates that this u real movement
in force the part oi the Conicder'tcs, IT, that
no large bodies of their troops have been seen al
any other point lower down. To nav lff i
real movement, Il indicates design TO move INF,
; Penusylvsnia. But from other facts which
cannot mention ! am inclined 90 think that il j
4 iciut. aud that the real movement will be- mad,
lower down
The news from Gen Grants army Tonight i
omiuous. aud indicates that Gen Lee viii 800,
assume the offensive. sud endeavor 60 iorcl
Grant % raise lhe siege OF Petersburg
MALCOLM.