The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-01
The Rebels fn Front OF Washingt0n-
signs Of an Impending battle.

appear to be daily approaching in force nearer
our defensive lines on the south side of the
Potomac, from the Chain Bridge to Alexan-
dria, while near Leesburg, in a camp some
twenty miles up. the river from said bridge,
they are represented as having concentrated a
heavy column. threatening to ford the river in
that neighborhood, and to descend upon Wash
ington in the rear. In conjunction with this
movement we are informed that they expect to
stir up''a rebellion in Maryland, and that to
this end the secession consprators on the east
ern shore Of Chesapeake Bay are preparing for
an active cooperation with the invading rebels
from Virginia.
1t further appears that the rebel armies in
Virginia have pretty nearly exhausted the
available stock of provisions of the State, and
that in the column Of Beauregard there is con-
siderable suffering from diseases incident to
short allowances of food and clothing, and to the
irregularities of Southern camp life Hence we
may conclude that thef main rebel army
of Virginia is in that straitened condition which
will require Of IT.. and, within few days, for
ward or backward movement, for the sake of
provisions and the health Of the troops. In
hated by their late accidental success, and
hungry withal, they are, doubtless, clamorous
and impatient for q march upon Washington,
and whatever may be the views of Beauregard,
it is probable that he will be unable to resist
this popular pressure upon him. And the
truth is, that this whole Southern rebellion is in
that desperate situation which admits of no de-
lay, which cannot stand long campaign, and
which can only be saved by the most desperate
exertiOns for short and decisive work.
Accordingly, we may expect soon to hear Of
a stirring battle or two along the line of the
Potomac. Let, then, our young and gallant
men of New York, AID of all the loyal States,
who have not yet gone forward, but who are
DESTROYS Of sharing in the glorioIs wSrk of re-
pulsng the rebels from the Potomac, hurry Up
the completion Of their regiments and be off to
Washington. General Mcclellan is confident
of good report against the rebels, no matter
when, how or where they may try tho expert
ment of reaching Washington; but the stronger
we make his army the more decisive and valr-
able will be the results. In fact, if promptly
and properly strengthened by reinforcements,
within a few days General Mcclellan in
single dash against the enemy, may do the work
of a whole campaign. -"
We shall not, at all events, be required long
to wait for active warlike operations; for if we
do not soon attack the rebels they must attack
us. Their necessities compel them to fight.
They cannot afford to wait. They must do
something toget England and France to open
their ports for them before December, or they
will be incapable OF winter campaign from
the lack of shoes and clothing. Thus situated,
from the pressure of our blockade by land and
sea, and from their dependence upon the North
anil Europe for the bulk of their clothing ia
brics and manufactured articles. of every de-
scripton it will be seen that while we shall gain
everything, the rebels viii lose everything by
delay. fFfA
Within few days, therefore, we may expect
the news of some hot work along the Potomac,
and from the discipline, order, unity, confidence
and enthusiasm established in his various camps
by General Mcclellan we hope for the best re-
suits. At the same time, however, We would
again admonish all concerned to make good the
Union cause beyond all accidents. by immed
ate reinforcements at every point to the army
of the Potomac.
THE PEACE AGrrATORs TRAITORS IN DHGuIsE.--
No one is SO ignosant or prejudiced as not to
know and admit that there is q sprinkling of
men in most of our Northern communities who
have been doing their utmost to aid the rebels
of the South in their efforts to dsintegrate the
nation. As it would not be safe for those
abettOrs of treason to proclaim tfeir principles
openly, they resort to safer but much more
pernicious mode of attaining their object. As
Stunning the livery of heaven to serve the devil
in, they profess to have their Christian senti-
ments shocked and outraged by the spectacle
of the brothers of the same race and kindred
arrayed in civil war against each other, and
they cry out for peace, peace, on any terms.
They know how slow the people of the free
States were in realizing that there was no
possible escape from this war, and they judge
from that circumstance that the sham appeal for
peace which they put forward will have the
effect of at least producing division in pub
lie sentiment.
1t is time that they discovered their error.
The peace meetings which they have striven
here and there to get up have very properly
been squelched by the loyal men of the neigh
borhood; and they have had some not very
pleasant experiences of the risks which they in
cur by sailing under false colors. Nest of these
peace agitators weuld be open traitors if they
dared, and are probably hired by the rebel
leaders to do this very work, and the rest of
them are made up of those who think more Of
their own petty interests than they do of the
safety and welfare Of the nation. Under pre-
sent circumstances the cry for peace is neither
more nor less than demand for the utter and
complete overthrow of the republic. 1t il
quite safe, therefore, TO treat all who utter ID
as public enemies. and to teach them that, how