Year: 1861

hlSUulUlius


In all probability the solution of the
movement just made by the rebels is in
their resolve to give up the north of
Virginia altogether, and to retire on
Richmond for the winter. 1t is reported
that the pickets on the Potomac above
are called in, and that so far from any
such strengthening of the batteries be-


low Washing ton as would imply de-


termination to hold the river, or make


crossing there, they are really with


drawing from them also The forward


movement they have made at the great


falls of the Potomac is probably feint


to cover the retreat, and it is likely


that two or three dashes at our forces


will be made at points found to be weak
enough for their purpose. in order to re-
tard the movement they expect Gen.
Mcclellan to make after them when they
do break camp. But these feints ought
not to mislcad the Union army an hour.
Assured that they are preparing 10
leave for the warmer climate of Rich
mond, the most energetic movement
should be made to put their march in
haste and disorder, conveying to the


body of their forces the impression that
they are retrcating before superior
strength, and are in danger of annihi-
lation.


There are many reasons for this re-


trograde movement. The menace Of
Washington was good demonstration
in its time and it served the rebel cause


well. They might possibly have done
even more than they did, perhaps might
have taken Washington itself at one


time but that great success would
not, as they now see, have settled the
case and ended the war. A great dem
onstration of resistance in front of Wash
ington was the next best movement, and
this was well done, all must admit
The time is up, however, for this part
of the play. Two hundred thousand
men gathering on their front, without
single aggressive movement while being
gathered, but now ready to move in
series of irresistible columns, admonish
them that it is time to abandon the at
titude they can no longer maintain
They must retreat to lower line of de-
fences, and they can find no solid hold
ing ground short of Richmond. The
great question is, can they fad it there?
If unmolested they would 60 into COM
paratively comfortable winter quarters
in the buildings said to be in prepara-
ton for them at Richmond but it is
hardly probable that they will be suf-
fered to go quietly. or to sit down in Sc
curity when they get there. Richmond
will be far better wintering city for a
hundred thousand of our troops than for
the same number of theirs, because to
US the sea would be open, and the rail-
roads leading to the north would be re-
built and actively worked. The wOolen
clothing that abounds in the Union ar
my is far better for winter comfort than
the rough cottons forced on the seces-
sionists. The ingenious lies their de-
serters have told us about force of two
hundred thousand men, well clad and |
we'll fed, mean only that they have half
that number, or less, and these ill-clad,
and suffering from many wants. They
can supply few or none Of these wants |
at Manassas junction, but if they can
get to Richmond in safety they will mod
crate all of them. and will get along in
tolerable comfort


The whole policy of the real govern
ment of the Union is scarcely consistent
with the ease Of the rebels during the
winter, that season being our active
time, and that for which we have waited