Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-04

ME uu Ahos4NA (eAAAe4Ab
specializing as TO where the rebels have
gone or intend TO go from the line OF the
Potomac. The forward movement Of a
portion Of our army. and the condition in
which they found the so-ealled fortifica-
lions Of Munson's Hill, proves that MeClel-
Ian was right in attaching very small i'm
portance TO the occupation Of these points
by the enemy. When We wanted them we
got them, without any disaster, save one
Of those crOss.hripgs between our own
troops, which are apt to attend n night
movement. Our advance Nas pushed for
ward on Saturday night TO Falls Church,
which has been in the rebel possession
ever since Bull Run.
Wepresume that this movement is pre-
liminary to an invasion in force of all tho
Manassas country, but whether it means
Richmond so soon as oureotemporaryt thinks
for, we are moi sure. The movement will
be likely to bring on battle within "a
short time. The rebel position has some
great advantages. The eastward sweep
Of the Potomac assumes the form of
semi-eircls. on the outer edge Of which is
Washington; while 10 its eedtro are Fair
fax, Ceutreyille and Manassas, which are
90 situated as to be about equi-distant from
the Potomac at any point from Leesburg
above, 70 the Oeeoquan below. GOnse-
quently bodies Of men can be thrown out
from these central points to any post of
the Federal lines, with equal facility. A
flank movement from our side involves
long marches and the unpleasant necessity
Of meeting the enemy in full force, owing
20 their greater facilities for concentration.
That Is the enemy are eOmpacted in the
centre ofa half-eirele, while our troops
arc diaused around its edges, an arrange
q, ment only to be overcome by very supe-
rior force.
This force, fortunately, Mcclellan has.
He can himself direct an advance upon
the enemy's centre, while Banks can CO.
operate above, aud the left wing Of his
army can defend the lower Potomac from
the Maryland side. 1t seems to be n fixed
fact, that the march to Richmond cannot
be made except over the old ground Of
Manassas, and that Mcclellan Is now ready
to try the sans fields upon which Mellow
ell lost his fame.
With the report Of MeCleilan's advance
comes the story, perhaps true, that john
stou ia advancing from Lecsburg and me-
nacing Banks, and that large bodies of
rebels are marching towards the ferries on
the lower Potomac. 1t Is possible that
they really design to attempt \ crossing
into Maryland and to bring the war into
the streets Of Washington. But the mo-
ment the enemy Abandons or weAkens his
centre at Manassas, which has been so
valuable to him In the past, he runs the risk
Of finding It taken by Mcclellan before
the rebel forces can DO recalled from the
upper and lower Potomac. This would
divide the grand army of Beauregard
into two lesser ones, incapable of co.ope-
rating with each other aud place them at
the mercy OF our forces. Ii seems, there
fore, hardly possible that Beauregnrd is
sacrificing his grand advantage OF compact
? ness, and We do not YET beliers that any
eerious purpose Of crossing the fotomae IS
entertained. AZ nearly as eau be known
Mcclellan has men enough Ia Maryland 70
beat back an invasion either above or be-
low Washington, aud it may be that
the advance Of the enemy; toward the
Potomac, on the right aud len, Il only a
Feiut, designed 70 attract undue attention
% those points, and 50 weaken our centre.
III 90, the trick has failed, for IL produces
result directly The opposite ofthat.
II our unedueatsd actions Of strategy
are correct fsE days will and the rebels
again concentrated Ia full force on their
base line OF operations With Manassas as
their eeatrs, iflhsy have really gone OR
70 Try tho Potomac in force, above and be-
low walhiagtou, Mcclellan win be at
Manassas ahead Of them, And thea We ahSil
have . decided victory.