Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-09-04
TIE REBEL PLAN OF TIE CAMPAIeE-
How PoPE HAS DEFEATED Ir-THE
ARMY IN SAFErY-A Sk1RM1sH.

! - S2f VI Aah SAAEAl01-
How PoPE HAS DEFEATED Ir-THI
ARMY IN SAEErY-A SkrRM1sH.
WAsHIseroS, Friday, Aug. es. 1869.
The Army of Virginia crossed the
Rappahennock on Tuesday. With its
re-enforcements it now holds the nor.
thern bank of that river, guarding every
ford between Fredericksburg and War
renton Springs, and holding. through
out its whole line, positions of great
strength. The railway bridge is be-
lieved to be impregnable by any force
the enemy can send against it. The
fords are all difficult for artillery, and
all easily defensible with limited forces.
When l left Gen. Pope's headquarters
yesterday evening, it was believed that
no reason for alarm any longer existed.
The rebel plan was simple and well
conceived. Johnston rapidly advanced
his army by rail from Richmond to Cor
donsville, drew a straight line from
Gordonsville to Washington, and put
his columns in motion. Marching on
that line they were to turn the left flank
Of Gen. Pope's army on the Rspidan,
and destroy it. Still marching on that
line, they were to turn the right Of
Burnside's army at Fredericksburg and
destroy it. Then the road to Alexan-
dria becomes public highway, for Nc
Clellan would either be still on the
Peninsula or out of reach on the river.
Before he could arrive, the decisive
battle would have been fought at the
gates Of the capital. The movement
thus clearly planned was promptly at
tempted. Why has it failed?
There were two reasons: First, the
battle Of Cedar Mountain; second, the
instant and admirable retreat of Gen.
Pope.
When Jackson crossed the Rapidan,
and, on the 9Th Of August, advanced in
force toward Culpepper. he led the ad-
vance OF the Army Of Richmond. To
him had been intrusted the duty of an
Initiating the Army of Virginia. the
strength Of which be certainly UNDER
rated. The desperate battle on the
9th, fought by part Of the forces of a
single corps, brought Jackson to a sud-
den stand, and he finally recrossed the
Rapidan, TO await the advance of the
approaching columns from Gordonsville.
The loss of that week was fatal to the
rebel campaign.
But Gen. Pope, infiexibly pursuing
his purpose at all risks. to cover the re-
treat of Mcclellan, advanced to the
Rapidan, still threatened the rebel lines,
and was still exposed TO the flank move
ment they meant to make on the left.
In spite of the delay. therefore, success
was possible, and the rebel plan was
still pushed with characteristic energy
and determination. Hating THEN lead
ing columns till all had arrived, they
again advanced TO the Rapidan, and
this time with their whole available
strength.
II with this army Johnston had fallen
on Pope, he would have crushed him; /;
but he could not reach him to strike
the blow. On Monday the enemy was
within a days march OF the Rapidan.
The news came before Eoon, and be-
fore 8 o'clock Gen. Pope had put his
trains in motion, and issued marching
orders to his army. By Tuesday night
they were across the Rappahannock.
The rebels, therefore, instead Of de-
feating Pope on the left and crossing
the Rappahannock unopposed, as they
confidently expected, found that Pope
could not be caught, had baffled them
by his rapidity, and that with his whole
army on the north bank Of the river,
he stood ready at all points to dispute
its crossing. In thirty-six hours this
General, whom they expected to find
asleep by the wayside as they ad-
vanced, had moved 18 miles train oi
FIVE thousand wagons and an army Of
must not say how many thousand
men, and on the northern bank Of the
Rappahannock was awaiting the ad-
vance of an army three times the
strength of bis own.
There remained to Gen. Joseph John
ston two possibilities-to force a pas
Isage in front, or 10 attempt flank
movement on the left on the Warrenton
road. II be attack the bridge, be must
move his army, which never yet fought
except under cover, across an open
plain mile broad, exposed to such an
artillery FIRE as no troops in the world
could Withstand. II he goes to the
left. it is long and dangerous march
and the delay is fatal.
So stood the two armies on Thurs
day night. There had been cavalry
skirmish on Wednesday in which W.
lost some men killed aud wounded
Col. Kaager of the lst New JERSEY
among the latter. On Thursday tber'
was more or less artillery practice ol
) either side. with no decisive or impor
tsnt result, and it was reported that
dash at one of the fords had been mad
and repulsed. 1t is very doubtful
5 whether the expected battle will b
: fought. The Kappahannock line is to
strong to be attacked by General VIII
never means to fight until he is sure c
success. Every days delay is loss
e him, a gain to us. He knows il. and
t he means TO attack, will do it as 500
: as his army is in position. If there
a no battle to-day or tomorrow, do M
: believe the rebels will bring il on.
A.. r- uar-r