Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-11

oined mpvements upon Richmond. and reduced
the latter to the alternative of marching upon
that city IN single line are achievements which
have had 10 parallel since the days of Napoleon.
The cObfederates know exactly the strength Of
the Union army now operating against Peters
burg; but the view they take Of that fact s this:
they say that General Grants losses in the over
land campaign were so great (90, 900 is their fig
ufe) that it was absolutely necessary for him to
he reinforced 10 that extent. or else to abandon
the campaign at once: that he has therefore
been reinforced 10 that extent; but that these re
iniorceuents have drained the North Of all the
troops that were organized. that thew are raw and
undisciplined, and cannot be relied on like the
veteran troops that fell at the Wilderness. az
Spottsylvania, on the Pc. on the North Anna. at
Coal Harbor, and in the three days fight before
Petersburg and. finally, that the great loss
which General Grants army has suffered in off,
GERS killed and disabled will very much impair
the efficiency OF the army in future engagements
IL is not for me TO say whether or not there is
any force IN this view of the case. IL is the view
which the rebel leaders entertain. They say
further that the fact that General Grant decided
on operating against Petersburg first has given
General Lee abundant time to prepare for the re
mainder OF his plan
PLAN OF THE PRESENT NORTHERN MOVEMENT.
That plan is simply this, to move to Harper's
the Shenandoah Valley, while General Beaure-
gard defends Richmond with bis corps Of thirty
thousand troops and the local MALTA. Peters
burg Is nothing, and of no account, Ii Is a mere
Outw0rk The longer General Grant remains
operating before it, the better for the rebels
But Geperal Beauregard will evacuate the place
and retire with his corps to the southern defenses
of Richmond, whenever General Lee follows,
with the remainder Of his army that portion
which has already moved up the Shenandoah
valley. That portion is the whole Of General
Ewels corps, twenty seven thousand strong );
the cavalry under Major General Ransom. which
including Imboden and Moseby. exceeds fifteen
thousand men; and General Brecsinridges divis
ion, twelve thousand strong. This makes a force
OF hfty-four thousand men. Ii has not all reach
ed the Potomac yet Imbodens and Moseby's
cavalry are in the advance, with one or two
squadroDs under Ransom's lieutenants one di
vision OF EweI's corps is in possession of Har
pers Ferry, and is operating against Maryland
heights; another is lower down the Potomac
with Moseby' cavalry, opposite Point OF Rocks,
and seems to be threatening Friedrich. from
which IL is only twelve miles distant: another is
higher up the Potomac. opposite Wiliamsport.
and seems to be threatening II tgerstown. Breck-
inridges division ut Winchester few DAY s
ago. but it is now believed to be moving toward
Cumberland, in order TO intercept Gen Hunter
in case the latter should endeavor to move east
ward, 10 support Sigel The greater part of the
cavalry under General Ransom is understood to
be posted so as to give notice of Hunters ap-
proach. and are also engaged in keeping open
the communication between Ewel's corps and
that part of General Lees army that is moving
up the valley to support them.
THE REBELS NOW on THE POTOMAC TO BE REIN
FORCED.
The last part of the rebel plan, it was under
stood, was to bt undertaken as soon as Grant s
army was fairly involved in the work of the
siege of Richmond; and Grant has chosen TO
commence the siege of Richmond at a point as
remote as Petersburg. and as Petersburg is re
garsied by the rebels a mere Outwork of Rich
mond tie siege of the latter city may be regard
ed as begun now. Unless, thea. Gen Lee has
changed or greatly modified his plan, the rebel
forces now on the Potomac will very soon be
joined by the other two corps of the rebel army
in Virginia.
THE OBJECT OF THE MOVEMENT TO ISOLATE WASH
INGroS FROM THE NORTH
The object of the plan can be seen at once. II
is to save Richmond. 1t is to compel Grant to
abandon the siege of Richmond They believe
that Washington is now comparatively defense
less, and that the most efieciual way TO defend
their capital is TO threaten ours If the move
ment is carried out. therefore. according 10 the
original plan, it will be upon Frederick first, and
then upon Baltimore, in order to isolate Wash
ington from the North. the East and the West
The Potomac river at Point of Rocks is very
low now. and easily fordable All direct rail
road communication between Baltimore and the
Maryland Heights has been destroyed The
rebels crossed the river yesterday at Point of
Rocks, and tore mp the track for considerable
distance General SigeI, who is now at Mary
land Heights, cannot therefore be reinforced by
railroad from this direction IL is said that Gen.
Hunter is Fastening to his aid, but it would take
General Hunter two weeks to get from Charles
town. on the Kanawha river where he was on the
"a inst. to Harper's Ferry.
NECESSITY OF THE ABANDONMENT OF MARYLAND
HEIGHTS.
The assurance that the MARYLAND Heights is
mpregnable is as delusive the assurance
put forth yesterday, that Harper's Ferry could be
held against any force that could be brought
against it Ii will be attacked when it is attack
ed, from the north and east, and. indeed, it is
reported here that it has already been captured.
Attacked by superior force from that direction,
however. the post is untenable Both prudence
and the former experience of our disaster there
would dictate that it be abandoned at once, and
the troops be withdrawn to this city Frederick
City has already been evacuated by our forces.
il not already in possession of the enemy, no
donbs will be before night, unless the enemy re-
tires
BOLIVAR HEIGHTS EyACUATEn.
Bolivar Heights the east side of the Shen-
andoah. opposite Harper's Ferry. strong and
commanding position has been evacuated BY our
forces. and the troops there concentrated on Ma
ryland Heights
REFUGEES FROM FREDERICK
The city is crowded today with refugees from
Frederick men. women and children-who have
left their affairs and their fires, and have fled
hther for refuge
IMPREssMENT OF HORSES.
The government has seized a large number of
horses here. the property of private individuals.
Most of those taken belong TO the City ssen-
ger Railway Company. and the chariots of that
popular corporation drove heavily" to-day in
consequence IL is said. in excuse, that ''the
government" needs horses now. as they needed
negroes FOR soldiers, and locomotives. some tine
ago: and the horses are paid for. But still il is
felt to be an outrage. DRUID.
For the State Sentinel.