Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-04-01

A Washington correspondent Of The New
York World, who processes 70 know q what
he writes, says that the rebels contemplate
an invasion Of the North on large scale. and
that although the project Is yet in its incipi-
ency, its idea engrosses all classes in the Com
federacy--its motive being hatred Of Yankees
among che civilians and determination among
military men to revenge the Southern disas-
ters at Antietam and Gettysburg Various
reasons are assigned why jeff Davis admin
istrstion should give countenance to the pop
ulst clamor in favor Of this step-the leading
one being based on the belief that political
divisions will thoroughly weaken the North
by the time the invasion scheme is perfected,
and favor the dictstion of peace by the rebels
from some Northern battle field on which re-
bellion has been successful. The following
is laid out as the plan Of operations to be pur-
sued by the rebels
The army of Gen. Lee HIS been ncreas-
ed to an unprecedented figure and made eff
cent by all the means which military science
can afford. That army, which now numbers
between sixty and seventy thousand men, has
two-fold object in view fast, to resist Gen.
Grants advance upon Richmond second, to
march upon our line and threaten Maryland
and Penns ylvania. This last movement will
not, hawever, take place, except in the event
of Gen. Grants defeat, OF in the more proba-
BILE occurrence ofGens. Longstreet and Breck-
inridge's advance upon Kentucky and Ohio
As SOON as their advance upon these two
States shall have been resolved upon, then
the plan Of Gen. Lee is to abandon his pros
ent line Of operation and march at full speed
upon Harrisburg, and thus make a strong di-
version in favor of his two lieutenants, to
whom he will leave the doubtful honor and
profit Of invading the West and of attempt
ing to provoke a revolution among its inhab-
itants, represented being, If not disoyal.
at least so hostile to the present federal ad =
ministration as to prefer to live under jeff
Davis than under Lincoln's rule OF course
this demonstration of General Lee upon our
frontiers will open us the way to Richmond,
and expose that city to a certain loss. But
General Lee does not intend to occupy Ell
Their Maryland or Pennsylvania, and will
move on these States simply % assist Long
street in his march through Kentucky, and
Breckenridge in his march through Ohio, be
will be always near enough the capital of the
rebellion TO fall back upon his own line Of de-
Tense and come to its rescue. Besides. Rich
mond's Notifications are such to remove in
the minds of the rebels any fear Of its being
taken without long siege, which would re-
quire all the materials tie federal government
can dispose Of The rebels are also Of opin.
ion that the advance of Gen. Lee upon our
lines would be Immediately attended by a
similar movement on the part of Gen. Grant,
and that the battle would, like Antietam and
Gettysburg, be fought on northern soil and
far from the vicinity OF their beloved city -
What still adds to the plausiblity Of this
plan, which believe to be now under consid
nf pf u oh
mond, is the strong desire manifested in all
classes Of Southern society to see the extreme
South relieved from the pressure Of the north
ern armies. This part Of the South is now
the agricultural and manufacturing district OF
the coniederacy. In it are produced the food
which support its armies, and the cloth which
covers it. There is not farm, garden or
plantation which has not been devoted to
he cultivation Of cereals mot house which has
not its loom, band cards and spinning wheel.
Hence the desire of the rebels to remove
from that precious spot all menaces of danger.
1t is their hope that by hurting Longstreet's
corps against the North, he will be followed
there by most of the troops located in the
South that Sherman, Mcpherson and Hurl-
but would follow his track, free the extreme
South from their presence, and operate
thorough revolution in the military occups-
ton Of the Southern States"
The writer says that the above scheme is
not based alone on sentiments Of vindictive-
ness revenge; for it has to back it up an
army Of $50 900 men, which, notwithstand-
ing all that has been said to the contrary is
well clothed and well armed. Besides the
rebel army has a confidence which to be
sure, is founded on ignorance of how mat
ters stand in the North, but which is not the
less inspiring on their side on that account
loress dangerous to US.
All the prominent points within the rebel
territory are well fortified, and at the worst
they declare that they can only be driven to
the adoption OF protracted defensive war
fare.
1t is we'll to note in connection with this
matter, and to keep the fact always in remem-
brance, that the most sanguine hopes of sue
cess entertained by the rebels are built on
the belief tina, party divisions in the North
will make us an easy prey to their designs
when the time comes to put them in opera
ton.