2

The Movements Against Richmond.

Military movements in the East are rapidly culminating to an interesting point. General Banks, in the Shenandoah Valley, is pushing Southward most vigorously. Gen. Fremont is within supporting distance at Staunton. On the East of the Blue Ridge, Gen. McDowell is at Fredericksburg, in the direct route to Richmond, and will, doubtless, as soon as the bridge can be repaired over the Rappahannock, press on the rebel Capital. While Banks and McDowell are thus sweeping down on Richmond from the North, Gen. McClellan is holding the most powerful army in the Confederate service in check at Yorktown. This army is supposed to be under the immediate command of Jeff. Davis. If McClellan defeats this army and then have to encounter Banks and McDowell, as well as McClellan. If Davis maintains himself until Banks and McDowell reach Richmond, he will find his retreat cut off, and to save himself he will be obliged to cross the James river and flee Southward, where he will encounter Burnside. Nothing can save him now from overthrow, unless he fights and wins a great battle at Yorktown. This is but a forlorn hope. The venture is so desperate, he will hardly undertake it. But he must do something soon or lose his army. He dare not wait until McDowell and Banks reach Richmond, as retreat before such army as McClellan's would be impossible, if any due vigilance is exercised. Besides, he would then be obliged to cross James river, which will probably then be blockaded by our gunboats. The situation is so critical that the rebellion may give its last gasp at Yorktown.

With our recent and those prospective successes in the West, the neck of the great rebellion will be broken in little over a year from the firing the first gun.