New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-29
THE M0yEmsNT ON VIRGINIA.

The news this morning is Of the most import
ant character. 1t has been for some time known
that q movement was in contemplation upon fir'
gua from the West. This movement has been
commenced. Grafton, a town at the Junction OF
the Baltimore aud Ohio and Northwestern Rail
roads, is the point at which the advancing col
umn is directed to rendezvous, aud from that
place movement will doubtless be made in,me-
diatey upon Richmond, by such route as viii
offer the greatest advantages for the rapid march
of the troops.
This movement will bo under tie immediate
direction of Gen. Mcclellan, and the Importance
of the step demands leader of no less ability.
1t is not probable that he will enter Virginia
with an army of less than 80, 900 men. Slch
force as this, threatening the rebels OF Harper's
Ferry in the rear and on the flank, will cause
them speedily TO evacuate that position and Dc
take themselves southwark, this being the only
course by which they can avoid total rout Noth-
ins will then prevent the Federal troops from
pushing on to Richmond, the city whittier oil the
movements Of the last few days have clearly
| tended.
! 1t is said that the rebel Yrginians are in con-
siderable force at Grafton, and that collision is
inevitable. 1t is certain that if there is deter
! mina.ion on the part OF the Secessonists to fight
they Will have ihc opportunity to show it within
q ic@ days.
We learn. also, that cooperative movement
! is to be mado from Philadelphia on Hsrper's
Ferry, by way of Harrisburg aud Chambersburg,
Patterson and that this expedition is to start to-
day. Thus this western movement, considered by
military men to be the most important OF tie
campaign, and one for The commencement OF
which they have been impatiently looking, seems
with force which, shilfuliy led, cannot know
defeat.
Another advance of United States troops into
| Virginia has been made, as wo are led TO be-
Heve by the tenor .of our dispatches from
Washington, though some doubt still hangs over
the details. Yesterday morning several steamers,
some OF them carrying guns, took on board one
or two regiments at the Washington Navy-Yard,
and sailed down the river 1t was supposed
thu. their destination was Acqlia Greek, which
Potomac Railroad, and in the direct line OF
communication with Richmond, from which il is
distant IS miles. battery is erected there,
mounting, as it ia stated, four 32-pouniers, aud
supported by q vessel carrying fiyo guns Of the
same weight Of metal Tho possession OF this
point is important, and the certainty Of its cap
ture NAV well cause uneasiness to the rebc's
who proposed to use the railroad TO aid the
advance of their troops
The occupation Of Manassas Gap Junction Will
be likely TO closely follow the capture Of Acquia
Creek, and thus with these two points ia our
possession, with broad way opened from the
West into Virginia. and with lIarper'S Ferry
given up by the dscomGted Rebels, the road viii
be we'll open and very plain TO Ricbnord, where
the loyal men OF TIE Old Dominion propose TO
seat the Governor they intend to put ia tho place
of the one who has betrayed them. There will,
perfaps, be lard fighting within tue next ten
DAYS, but there can be question as to where
the enduring victory VIII rest