New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-27
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
HOW THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION is SITUATED
1vf REBEL LEE IN FORCE AND NEAR AT HAND
HIS MOVEMENTS POSSIBLY A FElNT.

a time by the saddening scenes Of Manassas and
Springfield, is likely to be again directed TO
Western Virginia. Since the final rout from
Laurel Hill, the defeat at Carrick's ford, and
the death of Garnett, there has been lull here,
scarcely broken by single skirmish. Inc
strong strategic points were at once occupied
by our troops; at the Cheat Mountain Gaps the
door to this country was closed, and the rebels
have been altogether too busy in other quarters
to attempt disputing Its passage. From the
Kanawba Valley they retired precipitatey, hard
ly showing their faces after the affair at Scarey
Creek; and thus the whole OF Western Virginia,
from the Pan Handle to the Kanawha was freed
from the rebel invaders, and left to lnaugurate
the loyal State Government in peace.
But the disaster at Manassas has enabled the
rebels once more to assume the aggressive, and
the men who were lately flying through the
Gaps, and across the Cheat, and up the valley
of the Kanawha like flock of frightened sheep,
now talk valorously of making it but fortnight's
work to drive the AbOlitonists from the soil Of
their Ancient DOminiOn; while they propose TO
stay their victorious arms and plant their insur-
gent banners for Winters rest in the fertile
plains of Southern Ohio
The Southern mind runs naturally to gascon-
ade: yet we have recently learned that they
sometimes carry their threats to ful6llment.
There is no very apparent necessity for being
a armed about Southern Ohio, neither is there
any particular propriety in being foolishy secure
about Western Virginia.
Davis mas detached from his Army of the
Potomac the most distinguished General Rebel
Virginia can boast There is no sort Of doubt,
though the foolish stories the telegraph has been
telling were certainly enough to discredit 1t,
that Gen. Robert L. Lee, at the head of a we'll
appointed army OF not less than 10,O 600 men, is
now in the mountains and threatening our posi-
tons at the Gaps, tttnsville, and Beverly.
Ten days ago, he adopted the honorable Virginia
device of trying to send spies into our camps
under flag of truce. His communication
which was on the hackneyed subject Of exchange
| of prsoners--a subject which seems to lie won
| derfully near their hearts-and was dated at
! Huntersville, in PocahOntas County, was duly
received; but the spies with the flag were,
greatly TO their disappointment, allowed to re-
main beyond the lines, aud under the eye Of
vigiant sentries. Since that time it is supposed,
though not certainly established, that Wise
who. since be was driven out from the Kanawha,
has been lying at COyiDgton-has effected o
junction with Lee There are also rumors OF
other strong rebel reGBforcements, but in this
| country of rumors these receive very little
attention.
For a week, the lines Of the two hostile
armies have been drawing closer and closer;
skrmishes between scouts are of frequent occur
renee, and the pickets Of the two camps are so
near that you can scarcely get beyond the lines
of your own side without being in the territory
and liable to the assassin assaults of the other
A few days ago, the sbarpest skirmish we have
had in North Western Virginia since the old days
of Phlippi and Laurel Hill, occurred on the
Greenbrier. 4 party of our scouts had got
within the enemys lines, and were deliberately
making such observations as seemed useful, when
they came upon a force of the Rebels. brisk
| fight occurred; our boys fought desperately, and
finally succeeded in efectng their escape, after
killing seven Of the enemy, without the loss of
man on our slde
1t would seem that the two armies could
bary lie thus facing each other long without an
engagement. And yet confess that i have felt
skeptical as to whether Lee means to give US
battle at all. There are numerous indications
which give ground for at least suspicion that
the demonstration on Western Virginia is in
tended only for feint, that may, by strong
or hu hair hoef Gnn
General, divert attention from more important
movements now secretly progressing at the east
ward. Lee is but about forty miles from direct
railroad communication with Richmond or Ma
nassas; and it is far from impossible that he
may be held here TO the last moment for the
purpose of dvertiDg to Western Virginia troops
and attention that ought to be given to Wash
ingtOn and Maryland.
1t is certain that, for the present, unless Lee
gives us battle, there will be none. The object
of the Army of Occupation is simply to hold
what we have already won-nOt to make ag-
gressive demonstrations across the mountains
upon the Valley of Virginia. At the samo time
preparations are going on just as vigorously as
though Western Virginia had to be held against
the combined strength of all the Rebel forces in
the State The army here, already strong, is
being rapidly reinforced by the troops from
other sections Of the Department, where they
are not needed; cavalry is being brought in, and
tbe supply of effective artillery is being largely
increased.
Meanwhile, our "situation" is, briefly, this
AT the Cheat Mountain Gaps, the (nominal at
least) key to this country, Brig. Gen. REYNOLDS