Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-02

James river, between Fort Darling and Rich
mond, remain to be tested. But it is enough 10
say of them. that they are composed oil the same
materials, and are arranged in the same manner
as those at Charleston, with the addition OF some
distractions Of another nature which do not ex-
list in the harbor of the latter place. They are.
besides. covered by the guns of six large forts.
of which Fort Darling IS one; and, "a word,
they can neither be removed, nor can they be
passed by any hostile vessel.
WILL REBEL FLEET ATTACK wAsHISeroNf
There is one contingency, in which Washing
ton would be in danger from a foreign built heet
of iron clad war steamers above named, or even
from fifteen or twenty Of the largest nclad
vessels now in the Confederate waters along the
Atlantic coast. If, in consequence OF the ma
neuvers between the Army of the Potomac and
General Lee, the former should be compelled to
fall back for the defence OF Washington, or if. in
any event, General Lee attacks that city during
this year. be will be aided in the attack by Con
federate iron clad feet This contingency, i'm
probable as il may seem, is still possible, and may
occur There are no distractions IN the Potomac
river. nor is there single fort or battery along
its banks the guns Of which would have any
more effect on the sides of an iron clad vessel
than the paper wad from a boys pop gun. In
the case of the Delaware river and Philadelphia
the matter is even worse. 1t might have been
good policy in the Pennsylvania Legislature to
remove the capital of that State 10 Philadelphia,
in view of the exposed condition OF Harrisburg.
in case of third invasion of that State But II
they are wise they will at once see to it that
instant measures are taken to prevent hostile
feet from approaching the Quaker City.
INSTANT CONCENTRATION or TROOPS NECESSARY.
This is no idle warning. 1t is time for the
President to stop his "smutty jokes" to stop
junketing around to every little one horse fair,
making bids for the next Presidency under the
guise of speeches in behalf of negro soldiers. and
to his attention seriously to the defense of
the North. The Confederates are determined to
transfer the seat of war, and the expense OF
maintaining two hostile armies, from their terri
tory to ours; and they will do it. They have
already begun to do it, Accommodating parties
of the enemy are securing all along the line Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and with
daring impunity dash in the rear of Meade 5
army and capture and carry off whole wagon
trains at Leesburg and Fairfax. the latter point
only sixteen miles from the National Capital.
General Lees army has already begun to cross
the Rapidan, and the heads of his columns are
moving toward the Shenandoah Valley; while
the operations of General Forrest in Western
Kentucky are but the prelude to the great
western invasion. IL is no groundless alarm that
is felt by the Governors of the States along the
Ohio river, and they are in consultation as to the
/ best means of defense none too soon. The
danger. truly, is imminent. 1t is not too late to
avert it, but measures must be taken promptly.
IL is not more troups another draft that is re-
quired. We have abundance of troops. But
they must be concentrated where they needed;
and they must he placed under the Generals
whom they love, and in whom they have conf
dence. Withdraw forty thousand troops from
Louisiana, and twenty thousand from Arkansas
and Missouri and concentrate them at Cairo and
Louisville. Collect the scattered detachments
that are lying around loose in every quarter of
the Northern States. and that must amount TO
twenty thousand men Withdraw all the little
parties that read of every day. ike the one
at Paintville. in Kentucky. What. under Heaven.
are Union troops doing at Pantville, Kentucky p?
Withdraw thirty thousand from Charleston.
Florida, aud Mobile; concentrate them. with the
Army OF the Potomac, and all the troops in
Buffers Department. instantly. at Fortress Mon
roe, and hurl them at once in one solid column,
upon the rebel capital. Such movement, and
such a movement alone, will prevent an invasion
Of the North.