Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-23
From the New York News Correspondent
u .so,xr-o~ Iolv Il Sp \,


Everything that have been able to learn to-
day confirms the views expressed in my last let
ter in regard the real significance OF the appa-
rent reireat of the Confederstes from Washing
ton. The number Of horses secured by them in
Pennsylvania and Maryland together with the
two hundred aui fits trained cavalry horses
captured by Mosby Fairfax. amounts to at
least six thousand Including these. the medical
stores. quar;ermasiers stores, commssary stores,
and the wheat and forage. together with the
wagon trains filled with supplies which they have
csptured. amounts in value TO at least four mil
lions of dollars Among The plumber thus Sc
cured were many of the articles of which
the COnfederates stood most in need, "a horses,
medicine. military clothing. and shoes etc. The
safe transportation of this immense booty to
Richmond is an object quite sufficient to account
for the temporary disappearance Of the Confed
crate forces from the vicinity of this city; aud
as there are rumOrs here that Sheridans cavalry
has been sent TO intercept their plumber. and as
Hunters troops may also now be expected on
their flank. il is more than likely that every
means are being taken by General Early to Sc
cure the safe arrival of his spoils at the Confed
crate capital
But no intelligent or candid person supposes
for a moment that plumber the object Of this
expedition Of Gen Early There was, of course.
a military object in view, and as the expedition
was undertaken in pursuance of the express or
ders Of Gen Lee, that object, of course was one
of some magnitude, and its successful accom-
plishment would or will have some influence on
the result of the campaign. Rejecting all mere
speculations. aud combining myself strictly to alb
solute facts, present to you the following. which
are we'll ascertained and which canno: be ques
| toned. The facts go far towards answering the
| important questions-What was General Lees
object in the movement against Washington
Has that object been accomplished? Ii not, has
| the original design been abandonedY
LIST In regard to the forces actually concerned
| in the movement. They were one division OF
| Ewell's corps, commanded by Gen Early. about
| 5000 men; Breckinrdge's division about IL 600;
5000 regular cavalry under General Ransom;
| 1900 cavalry under Imboden. and 900 cavalry
| under Mosby, besides 30 pieces of light artillery
in all, not much over 10000 men. This was the
| force that defeated Wallace Sigel, ricketts,. and
that succeeded in cutting off all communication
between this city and the North by land. that
caused il to he believed in Baltimore that that
| citv was threatened by immediate attack, that
closely invested the capital of the United States
ana that actually held Washington IN a state oil
siege for forty eight hours
ID In regard 10 the forces that have lett Pc
tersburg or Richmond for the North since the
above operations have been in progress; and what
portion of General Lees army still remains at
| Petersburg. Two divisions of Ewell's corps are
| still at Petersburg One division of Longstreet's
corps is at Petersburg The other two divisions
| of that corps have been removed by railroad
from that place to Warrenton junction, by Rich
mond Gordonsville and Culpeper They were
! at Warrenton on the 18th instant. The whole OF
A. p Hills corps were at Petersburg as late as
the 10Th inst, but there is only one division Of
that corps there now. The other two divisions
! left Richmond on the l4rh. and have since been
transported by railroad to Warrenton.
Sd. In regard to the present condition of the
railroad in Virginia The railroad from Peters
burg to Weldon has not only been fully repaired
BY the Confedera,es, but il is also in full opera
ton along its whole route. That part of Grant :
army which near il at one time has been
Withdrawn from lis vicinity, and il is we'll guard
| ed by Confederate troops Gen Lee would not
this road if he did not believe he was safe in
doing so: vet on the 10Th inst seven long trains
of cars arrive mt Petersburg from the South, and
these were followed on the 18th by four more
trains.
During the recent operations near tins city
there was large party OF men on the Manassas
Gap Railroad, taking up rails. and taking them
to point on the Orange and Alexandria Rail-
road, near Warrenton Junction. Ii has since
been ascertained that the whole of the latter rail
road, from Charlottesville to Warrenton juno
ton. il in perfect order, extensive repairs hav
ing been made on i; during the past few weeks.
and that il is now being used daily in the move
ments of Gen. Lees troops The railroad be
tween Gordonsvile and Richmond is also in full
operation.
learn by recent arrival from Petersburg.
that there is every indication of an intention on
the part of the Confederate General in COM
mand there TO move out of Petersburg the
west, to move around the left flank of our ar
my, and to attack General Grant simultaneously
in front and rear. The impression prevails at
Petersburg that Grant has been very much weak
ened
The absence Caused by death. severe wounds
and sckness.) Of great many of Gen. Grants
best officers. is great misfortune. Gen. Ord,
now at Baltimore. has been ordered to rsjoin
the army before Petersburg at once.
MALCOLM.