The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-05-06

army affairs, as to what might be done,
what may be done, but says never a word
about what will be done:
THE SITUATION.
1t is well known to the rebels that the old
| army of the Potomac is concentrated near
Culpepper; that Smith has force at York
town that Burnside is moving somewhere
but if Lee can understand Grants inten-
ton, he is sharper sighted than any one in
Washington. Burnside's movement to Alex
andria has upset all the calculations of the
wise men, who would have it that he was 60
ing to North Carolina, or up the James, or
up the peninsula. Everybody thought last
week that Urbanna, on the Rappahannock
was the place appointed for his landing. The
advanc' of the fleet to that port gave color
to the idea. The rebels thought that that
was the route of Burnsid-'s advance. The
Richmond papers published the fact and said
his aim was Hanover Court House. But all
speculatons, rebel or Union, as to where he
is to 60, or what he is to 10, amount to
nothing. The latest speculation is quite as
reasonable as any: that he is to be the re-
serve. The 9th corps has had hard time.
1t has Just arrived from Knoxville, while the
corps on the Rapidan have had no hard ship
since the advance to Mine Run six months
ago. If any one corps is entitled to rest it
is the 9th, but when the order to advance is
given, there will be little rest for any portion
of the army.
THE REBEL FORCES.
Without doubt the rebel army is as large
as it ever has been. The remorseless con-
scripton has filled the ranks, but the new
soldiers are boys and gray haired men. Lee
has more men under him than he led into
Pennsylvania, but his line is long-reaching
from Petersburg to Fredericksburg, and from
Fredericksburg to the brow of the Blue
Ridge-one hundred and twenty-five miles.
The main portion Of his army is on the Rap
idan. Elzey, commanding Pckett'S old di-
vision, which was badly cut to pieces in the
last attack at Gettysburg. is at Hanover
Junction to resist Smith, if he advances up
the peninsula. The twenty thousand men
which are menacing Newbern can be rallied
at Petersburg to resist an advance up the
James and to hold the railroad to Weldon
the only connecting line to the South over
which Lee receives his ordnance stores, fur
nished by blockade runners at Wilmington
1t will show an unusual military strength
and genius if he can hold a line so long
vulnerable as it is on both TANKS as well as
in the centre. Gen. Grant, | believe, has the
power to turn either flank or pierce the centre.
Sigel. with a considerable force at his dis
posa, is at Beverley, in West Nirg MIA, three
DAYS march from Harrisonburs or Stanton,
with no formidable force of rebels to oppose
his march to that place. He would menace
Lees left flank, compel that General to change
, or extend his present line, and thus weaken
him. Or if not this, with Burnside in re-
serve, as a movable column, his centre can
be pierced by sudden stroke across the
ltappahannock near the bloody field of Chan
celorsville. Or, Smith, with his troops on
Transports can choose in night to strike up
the Rappahannock, or up the York, or up
the James, landing on the north or the south
side. 1t is not probable that Gen. Lee will
attempt to hold all these points, but that he
will fall back as Grant advances, and concen-
/ trate his troops on the James, in the vicinity
CT RlchmHn where he will have his supplies
at hand whereas Grant by such maneuyre
will be obliged to change his base But if
thi. should happen, second siege of Rich
mond will not be like the first Then Lee
had the East Virginia Railroad, and all the
fertile Shenandoah, and all the rich upland
counties north of the James for foragins
ground but if he falls back to Richmond
his foraging country will be confined to the
country south of the James. Can he support
his cavalry and artillery deprived of that ter
ritory? Doubtful.
| There are some indications that Lee intends
to make desperate resistance in his present
position, hoping to repulse Grant in any
flank movement. think that Grant would
like to have him decide upon adopting that
policy. Some of the heavy guns which have
been in position in the rebel works in from,
of Culpepper have disappsared-troops have
been seen moving eastward but on the 9th,
er hand new camps are to be seen from da,
to day. We shall know before many DAYS
what is intended on both sides.