The Portland daily press., 1862-08-23

Pope said 10 be in full Retreat-Sigel Pro
tecting the Rear Of the 1rmy-Rebels in
overwhelming Force-Terribie Battle In
eritdble-Emdneipdti Proclamation pro-
bable at an early Ddy-,Junetion Of forces
Of Mcclellan, Pope and Burnside.
New YORK, AUG. %.
The Tribune has letter dated CuIpcpper,
1t says the retreat of our army and the adj
vance of the rebels in overwhelming force are
no longer secrets. 1t was expected that the
army would cross the Rappahanock by 10
o'clock, but the passage of the trains was so
much delayed that it will not be attempted.
The corps of Banks is here, and Mcdowell
is coming. Both await the arrival Of Sigel
who covers the retreat, and will not be hur-
red
As write these. masses of troops are pour
ing in swift but orderly marches along the
narrow road and over the fields towards the
town.
The rear is already listening for the sound
of following cannon.
All day long the march viii continue Sigel
is not expected until noon, and whatever hap
pens, not regiment will leave until the rear
comes up.
1t isa wonderful retreat. for in spite of de-
lays there is no panic among the trains, and
though the troops are moving TO the rear they
march as to battle.
The sunlight streams out brightly. The
day is all that can be wished for, if it is only
long enough. There win be no battle to-day
if ii can by any means be avoided. Perhaps
there will be none tomorrow, but on the banks
of the Rappahanock, before the week closes,
will be fought one Of the deadliest struggles
OF the war.
NEW YORK. August %.
The Trlbune's Washington dispatch says,
two or three weeks ago the President laid be-
fore his Cabinet a proclamation of emancipa-
tion, abolishing slavery wherever it exists on
the 1st of next December, if the rebellion
should not be crushed by that time. and asking
the opinion of his ministers touching the pro-
priety of issuing it. All but two-Secretary
Smith we believe being absent-approved it.
Secretary Seward and the Postmaster Gen
eral, however, opposed it with all their might,
and the result was it did not appear. 1t is un-
derstood that the subject came up at more
than one Cabinet meeting, but the two parties
continued as at the first meeting, Messrs. Sew
ard and Blair being the resolute minority.
The Worlds Washington dispatch says it is
openly stated by the emancipationists that the
President will issue proclamation OF freedom
to all the slaves by the 10Th of September.
The Commercial says it has information that
junction of McCleans, Popes and Burn
sides forces at Aqua Creek.
The same paper says that reliable advices
from James River state that the rebels occu-
pied Harrison's Landing, and their pickets ex-
tend as far as the Chickchominy. a large por-
ton of our gunbonts We're above Harrison
Landing and would probably give the rebels a
taste of their quality.
This city is alive with excitement. Broad
way is alive with associations, military and
firemen to form procession in honor of Gen.
Corcoran.
A special dispatch to the Post from Wash
ington says il is believed here that all is going
well in the army.
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug. %.
Williamsburg is still in possession of Union
troops. No fire has occurred there as was ru-
mored.