The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-23
The Crisis Of the Campaign.

The war for the Union is now coming to a
crisis. From all that we can learn from the
best sources of information, an advance along
the whole line of the army will Immediately
take place, from the Potomac, the Ohio and the
Missouri, in conjunction with the formidable
naval expedition to the Southern seacoast
Already has fighting begun on the Upper Poto-
mac, near Leesbnrg, in consequence of the at
tempt of the right wing of our army to cross
there in face of the enemy. Whether general
battle will be brought on by this preliminary
engagement depends on the determination of
the rebels. That they should continue to hold
Leesburg, with Vienna in the possession of the
centre of the Union army, whence Mcclellan
could send an overwhelming force to surround
and cut them Off seems incredible, unless it is I'M
derstood that large achievements will be sent
to them by their chief, and that it is determined
to try conclusions there with the Union troops.
A brief time will solve this point, and show
whether they will fight or fall back to the old
ground at Manassas. The Lower Potomac
is still held by the enemy in force,
and he controls its navigation by for
midable batteries on the Virginia shore,
including eighteen guns on Matthias Point
where it was supposed no batteries Vere or
could be erected. The insurgent chiefs had
even the audacity to send over battalion to
the Maryland side on Monday night, under the
cover of their guns. The Lower Potomac must
be opened; it is the grand highway for stores
and reinforcements for the federal army in front
of Washington. Its possession, too, by the
Coniederates would enable them to cross in
force into Maryland whenever they found it
convenient. Warm work may therefore be
soon expected in the vicinity of the rebel bat
teries, which are believed to be supported by
from $4,000 to 10000 men, with the facility Of
reintorcemcnts by railroad from Richmond and
Fredericksburg to Aqua creek, and from
Manassas junction to the mouth of the Deco
guam by branch railroad recently constructed.
The advance Of the left wing Of the Union army
from Alexandria, with the cooperation Of
naval force on the Potomac, ought to dispose of
the rebels and their batteries in that direction.
And when Mcclellan advances with his centre
which. from appearances, will be very soon
who can doubt that he will win decisive
battle even on the very field Of our former
disgrace?
From the line of the Ohio through Kentucky
to Cumberland Gap another army is advancing
upon Tennessee, and from the line of tho Mis-
souri, an army is pursuing the fugitive Generals
Price and McCulloch to Arkansas. In conjnnc
ton with all these operations a grand naval ex-
petition is on the point of starting, if not al
ready on its way, to the Southern seaboard.
AS to Missouri. the President, considering
deeply the consequences involved in the issue
Of the struggle in the West, has arrived at the
conclusion Of removing General Fremont from
his cofnmand-intelligenc which was announc-
ed yesterday by our New York cotemporarics
who short time since inveghed so violently
against the HERALD for anticipating them by
the publication of The same news. The
only fault we committed was in prcmaturely
publishing the resolve of the government, and
thus somewhat retarding its execution. Gen
Cameron has acted with sound discretion in
the report lie has made to the President, and
Mr.. Lincoln is deserving Of the highest praise