The New York herald., 1862-09-06

Oetcr win aAlcS o! mess ~ 4ll 6ZH vi 70, ana ~
$40 $40 lcK for prime Sugars steady. while the
sales embraced about 400 hhds and 3Ss boxes CoGo
quiet and prices unchanged. Frsights 6rmer,
while engagements made 70 moderate extent. To
Liverpool wheat engaged as 1sxd 14d. l41sd,
in bulk and bags and -four ct 4 and ss 15d for wheat
V London, and -four as 4s Cd.
The Great strugsle ON ths Potomse-
The Impending Battle.
There were rumors in circulation in this city
yesterday that the rebels were crossing the
Upper Potomac and invading Maryland, with
the intention of stirring up the disahected ele-
ment in that State and transferring the theatre
of action to the vicinity Of Baltimore, with the
ultimate design of capturing Washington. We
apprehend, however, that the only force that
has as yet crossed the Potomac is simply squad
or two of cavalry to feel the way for the army.
and ascertain if it will be safe for them to ford
the Potomac with any considerable force. In
closely watching the events of this war, as it is
part of our duty as journalists to do, we have
noticed that all important movements
of the rebel army have been preceded
the position Of our forces. This was the case
on the Chickahominy, and also in all the move
ments to get in the rear of Pope. The cavalry
has invariably been the forerunner Of the ad-
vance of the rebel army. Aside from this, our
advices reveal the fact that the bulk of the
rebel army has disappeared from in front of
Washington. Taking these facts into conside-
ration, it is reasonable to suppose that they are
concentrating their forces somewhere on the
Upper Potomac with the intention Of crossing
over into Maryland, should the leaders find
such a movement practicable
II is o well known fact that the Potomac is
exceedingly low at present, the water at many
Of the fords being only few inches deep. and
therefore easily crossed, not only by cavalry,
induces many to believe that il is still
the determination Of the rebels to carry
out their original programme and transfer the
contest to the soil of Maryland, and that there
will soon be fought on the Upper Potomac the
great battle of the rebellion. The critical po-
sition Of the rebellion renders this view proba-
BILE. Their army, from all accounts, must be in
desperate condition. Leaving Richmond
short of supplies, with the railroad bridges
destroyed, they cannot, except with the great
est difficulty and delay, obtain food for the
army from that quarter. The country in the
neighborhood of Washington is entirely drain
ed, and the supplies captured from Pope will
afford but little relief. They were marched
northward under the promise Of crushing Pope
and capturing Washington. To return now
would disorganize and disband the army. They
have therefore only the desperate alternative
Of crossing the Potomac to obtain subsistence
and aid from Maryland left them VIII they
adopt this alternative I
The disposition OF our forces at Washington
by Generals Iialleck and Mcclellan furnishes
guarantee that il any considerable portion
ot the rebel army crosses the Potomac II will
he dsastrons TO them. aud enable our generals
80 administer 10 tho rebellion its crushing
blow. What, therefore, looks Dow like n lcs-
perate crisis on our part, may. in reality, be
the opening Of the 6nal triumph of the Union
arms. There is the most cordial feeling exist
ing between Generals Halleck and Mcclellan.
The former has on numerous occasions de-
clared that he considered Mcclellan one Of
the greatest living soldiers Of the world. The
hearty cooperation between them secures.
beyond doubt, unity Of action and opera
| ton equal TO the cxigcncies of the moment
| Should the rebel leaders, therefore, decide 10
! divide their army by transferring portion Of
il to Maryland, it will prove their ruin. by FUR
nishing our generals an opportunity Of routing
any portion tina, they may desire, and easily fol-
| lowing the remnant TO the rates Of Richmond
The critical position Of the rebels their necessity
of Immediately making another desperate effort
| the skilfpl and rapid preparations at Washing
ton, clearly point TO the fact that the two ar
| plies are On the eve Of another important con-
test and that the great battb Of The tor uW
| uUt;a the nta t.,s days, BE- fought sopsceher on
! tie Upper Potomac.
CDder this condition OF sfaiS il is clearly
| the duty n The Governors Of the loyal States
| 70 drop all personal and political considera-
| tions, spd push forward with the greatest pos.
| sible despatch every volunteer within their
power. Send them Oh by regiments; if regi
| ment cannot be got ready, send on battalion;
( Il they have not . battalion, send on com
| pauy, and, il there is no company ready,
.end Oh The men by squads os fast as
they volunteer, and not let them be
lettering around the hotels, bsrrooms and
drinking saloons, while the battle that IL to dc
eide the fate Of the rebellion is raging. There
/. now unity in counsels al Washington, fnll
snd cordial cooperation between Generals
HaIleck Mcclellan and the departments. and
Iet this be sustained by forwarding every
yoiunterra and not wait until they are supplied
~p;th onns LET there be no DELAY bsca,,se Tho