Year: 1861




is favorable to vigorous prosecution of mea-
sures for the suppression of the rebellion. In
this there is no division of sentiment. All feel
that the political discontents who have urged
he seeded States to offer resistance to Fede-
raj authority, plundered the Government mints,
forts and custom-houses have done so with
out just cause or provocation,'' inasmuch as
the sectional party who elected Lincoln, were
powerless to affect the constitutional rights of
the South, had the South but remained true to
their sworn allegiance to the Federal Govern
ment. Troops to almost any number would
be promptly furnished the Government, if re-
quired Michigan could promptly furnish ten
thousand men, if necessary, and other States
in the same proportion. There are, however,
several objections to placing an army of half a
million in the field: In the first place, the
Government is not prepared to arm that num-
ber of men, owing to the activity with which
Secretary Floyd, during his administration of
the War Department under Buchanan, sent
arms and munitions to the South. By his aid
the South was at once enabled to arm and
equip all the men they could muster into SER
vice, while the Government has been compelled
to almost begin anew, and purchase arms for
the troops as they were called into service
This state of affairs exhibits prima facie, if not
irrefragable proof that the leaders of the rebel
lion have had it in contemplation for term of
years, but could find no excuse for precipita.
ting revolution while they themselves were
virtually controlling the Government, under
such weak and vasclating tools as Buchanan
and such traitors as majority of his Cabinet
have shown themselves to be- With the Gov
ernment thus reduced by the reasonable prac-
tices of its sworn supporters, and with the elec-
tion of a sectional President by the North, as
an excuse for their appeal and to " fire the
Southern heart " they have organized a rebel
lion of unparalleled magnitude, and have put
more men in the field, and placed upon bet
ter war footing than any revolt mentioned in
history against any organized government
Their available strength, now centered in Vir-
ginia, is estimated at about 100000 effective
men. Those are stationed at Richmond, and
Manassas Gap. There are conflicting reports
as to their number of available troops, and |
have here quoted their highest figures.


In opposition to this formidable force of re-
bels, rendered desperate by the belief, craftily
inculcated by their leaders, that they are fight
ing with the halter around their necks," and
! for the preservation of their homesteads, the
Government has something over 100000 men
and regiments are constantly arriving at the
Capital. The 3rd Michigan regiment has or
ders to march on the 18th seven more arc
being prepared and will be dispatched to the
scene Of the conflict, if necessary, as soon as
they can be drilled, uniformed and armed. The
Legislature, at its last extra session, made pro
visions for establishing school of instructions
for officers, which will enable her regiments tc
go into service, with knowledge of the re-
sponsbility it imposes.


The plan of the campaign, so far as outsider:
are concerned, of course remains a matter Of
speculation, although the centering of 100000
troops IN Virginia, seems to indicate that thai
State is to be the scene of the conflict. when il
does come, and that the rebellion is to be
nipped in the bud or inaugurate its first
success, on the sacred soil of Virginia.
They have strongly fortified Manassas GAP
and appear to be waiting for the Government
forces to dislodge them. They appear to have
abandoned their desire to reduce Fort Pickens
and their troops and Government have beer
removed to Richmond. That is their Dixie.
in which they have evidently determined i" tc
live and die"


So far as the plans of operations by The
Government have been foreshadowed, or car
be guessed at, they appear to us stupendous
as the Government itself, and as certain tc
succeed as any human events dependent upor
the future. A desperate desire to rush into
battle is no part of the programme, although
they capture such points as are deemed impor
tant in a strategic point. With an effective
blockade of the ports of the seeded States
and with an army at the Capital, capable O
offensive or defensive measures, it seems to be
the determination Of Gen. Scott to let tbt
rebels exhaust their substance, and progres.
in the work of selfdemoralization, instead O
destroying them by the sword, justly supposing
that it is as well to conquer a rebel by cutting
off the supplies from his stomach, as to traverse
bis plethoric belly with bayonet


Government advances thus far into Virginia
have been almost imperceptibly made, aud
with such care that repulse is impossible
without the total annihilation of all its avail
able force. The rebels evidently feel that they
have been outgeneraled in this respect, and
will endeavor to induce the Government tc
attack them in their Notifications. The slow
but constant and sure advance of Gen. McClel
lands forces from Wheeling, Gen. Buffers
from Fort Monroe, Gen. Pstterson's forces
from Pennsylvania, and Gen. Mansfelds forces
from Washington and Alexandria, toward
Richmond, thus cutting off supplies, will soon
send famine into the rebel camp, and be more
effective than an army with banners in dispers