New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-30
RATTLES.

100000. ,,;tb regard to general engagement,
III ,uou,d not reveal them if We did; but we
he,;ove the Confederates mean to force him On
,ocos.arv, 70 accept battle within the next
fortnight and probably within very few days.
Their resources are limited; their soldiers are
roorlv clad and the cool nights of Autumn be.
oiu to tell on their health aud spirits, so that
many of them are anxious for fight or re-
treat Thousands of them are there on pur-
pose to fight, and viii do it yaliantly; others
have been pressed, or drafted or dragged into
the service, and do not see the beauty of shiv-
ering in cotton uniforms through months OF In
action, exposure and increasing cold. We be.
lieve that every day of quiet now tells on the
Union side, and shall be glad to see battle
postponed for a month yet. But the em6nr-
rassment of the navigation OF the lower Poto-
mac by rebel batteries is intended either to
hasten combat or to cover an attempt to
cross the river in force, so that we shall re-
card with anxious interest cur Washington ad-
vices for some days to come. We believe Gen.
Mcclellan is prepared for any emergency, and
that, though every day adds strength to bis
columns as compared with those Of the Rebels
confronting him. yet, if they are really anxious
for trial of strength, they need not go far to
find their coveted opportunity.
IA to the struggle in Missouri. there is no
mystery nor uncertainty about 1t. Gen. FIRE.
ana there can be little doubt that c. F. jackson,
Sterling Price, Rains, Martin Green, and near
" all the rebel leaders in that State, are pre-
pairing and expecting to meet him. The cap
ture of Lexington has supplied them with
money. arms, horses, wagons. &C., so that
they will take the Geld with a well appointed
army Forty thousand strong, which may be
increased Ten to Twenty THOUSAND by the
junction of McCullOch with his Arkansas ma
RAIDERS And we presume McCnlOch ,ciH join
the Missouri leaders, unless prevented; for the
suggestion that he may prefer to deyastate
Kansas is not worth moments consideration.
Kansas is very poor, save in grain; Lea'en-
worth, AtchisOn, and Wyandot on the Missouri
may be worth sacking; but to advance INTO
the interior would be- to hazard much for a
chance of gaining very little. Beside the Con-
federates do not make the mistake Of dividing
their forces when conflict is impending, so we
may expect TO hear of n battle somewhere be-
tween Lexington and Jefferson City, in which
the rebels will present front of fully Fifty
Thousand men.
Gen. Fremont has not now so many under
Lis command but every day henceiorth till
the battle will serve to swell his columns with
fresh regiments from Illinois, Iowa, and even
Kansas. We trust a battle VIII not be precpi.
tated until every disposable Union battalion
from Fort Scott on the West to 81. Louis and
Springfield on the East can be brought into
the field, in which case we shall have no fear
as to the result.
Kentucky is very likely to be the arena Of
the next shock of arms. Each party is en-
deayoring to occupy the largest possible share
of her territory prior to collision, aware that
many will 90 with the side that seems strongest.
and that command of the resources Of n
doubtful district is decided advantage. Thus,
while neither party seems anxious to fight, it
is morally impossible that de,ultory cOmbats
should not speedily occur, for the hot blood
engendered by one will inevitably precipitate
others. Kentucky is volcano whereof the
efforts to prevent an eruption for months past
arc sure to intensity the catastrophe now that
the impeding forces are fully oyerborne. We
look for more bloody fighting in that State
than this strife has yet engendered, and be-
heye It's commencement cannot be delayed
beyond week.
Such are the lurid skies on which closes the
September of 1861. II Peace is only attainabe
through desperate fighting, we may expect the
next two months to do much toward its
restoration.