, 1861-10-08

When the rebel quarters on Munson's
Hill were occupied on Sunday, week
ago, copies Of the New York Journals Of
were found among other matters
left behind By the runaw&ys- As papers
Of that date had not yet been distributed
among the National troops our soldiers
had the singular satisfaction Of receiving
news from home at the hands Of the rebel
fugitiTes. This incident exposes the COM
p1eteness Of the enemies communications
with their agents in the North Washing
Ten still swa1ms with spies. Nothing
transpire5 there but is Instantly reported
to the rebels who are really better in
formed concerning the state Of our army
than the loyal people Of the North. The
Northern papers withhold from publication
such army news as is supposed might be
advantageous to the rebels. Before Bull
Run it was alleged that Gen. Scotts plans
were exposed to the enemy by the New
York papers. When Gen. Mcclellan took
command he called the reporters about
him and e1acted pledge from them that
they would telegraph nothing to their
papers calculated to expose military plans
OF give the enemy information The re-
porters have fulfilled their promisei in good
faith The General has had no occasion
to make complaint against them. Butthis
reucence On their part, has served merely
to keep people in the loyal States in igno-
rance. The rebel spies have furnished
Davis and Beauregard every fact of impor-
lance. They know the exact strength OF
our army, the number and calibre Of the
gurs, and the position Of erery battery
ard ea1thwork erected, and all other infor-
nation concerning our foTces deemed desi-
rable. Even the secret plans Of Gen. Nc
GILLIAN, revealed only to q few prominent
officers whose cooperation was essential
TO convey the necessary orders, were ex-
posed to the rebel Generals before they
could he executed. Three several times has
he been b2lked by unknown traitors who
dlvu1ged his plans to the enemy at the
very moment he Was about striking a blow.
The latest instance Of this sort Of treachery
occurred only week ago. Gen. Mcclellan
had prepared movement by which he
expected to capture 5000 rebels at one
swoep. At three o'clock on SATURDAY.
night he marched $1,000 troops silently
and swiftly against Munson's Hill, where
Slept eight rebel regiments What was
his indignation when he arrived at thei1
en6enchtnents, on the double quick, K
ind that the enemy had decamped hour
before! Some traitors in Washineto,
wearing ofacera' uniforms, and doubles
high in power, betrayed the movement 0,
the very night Of its intended consumma
tion.
We were amused at the Ignorance dis
played by q city paper the other dag
which alleged that The TRIBUNE had pub
lished information concerning the st1engt
of our army in Missouri, which was calce
lated to give valuable information to Ge'
Price. NoE the truth is, that the reb
Epies have as easy access to our caml
from st. Louis to Georgetown as our ow
Citizens have to the encampnnents st Co
tage Grove OF Camp Butler. ANY reb
spy possessing medium sense, discretio
and observation, may count each regimen
battalion, squadron and battery in Mi
souri. No serious effort has been made
withhold such knowledge from them. Ho
could it be done where at least half Il
population are secessiopists, and the arn
is scattered among them for hundreds
ml1es: The St. Louis papers whit
circulate in all parts of Missouri, I
port the arrival, departure and ,destn
hon OF every regiment and comna1
of troops that enter the State. The char,
made against this paper is therefore a
Eurd The loyal generals mustnot deper
On cunning and gecresy for success, bit .
superior discipline, arms, and valor Of tn,
soldiers. Tile: advantages to be deriy
from craft, treachery and bad faith, will
enjoyed BY the rebels in spite Of al p
cautions which can be adopted. Th
overthrow must be compassed mi
by open field fighting than -
strategy or surprise The soldi
Of the loyal armies -sre better fed, eli