The New York herald., 1862-09-15


The Rebels Expelled from Maryland and
Fooled ut Cincinnatk-Tneir Norther,
| Invasion Cola pscd.
The very interesting details which we pub
lish this morning Of the advance of Genera
McClellan's army into Frederick CITY, Mary
land, and of its joyous reception there and o.
the retreat of the rebel forces towards Viii
Transport and the fords of the Potomac in chat
direction, constitute one of the most curious, re-
markable and important chapters in all the his
tory Of this rebellion
General Lees invasion of Maryland was a
necessity. The war having reduced Virginia
to desert, he was compelled to cross tho
Potomac for the temporary subsistence of his
hungry army. Had he succeeded in his bold
and daring enterprise of crushing the army Of
General Pope, and pushing into Washington
ahead of General Mcclellan and his forces from
the Richmond peninsula, the rebel leaders
might have been satisfied to await the chances
of European Intervention. But failing to pre-
vent the junction Of our two armies, and being
short Of supplies, no other alternative was left
to Lee than dash into the fertile counties of
Northern Maryland and their abundant stores
Of subsistence. He and the chiefs of tho rebel
government had also been deluded with the
ridiculous notion that Maryland was groaning
under q revolving despotism, and would joy
fully hail the presence Of rebel army for q
general uprising against her oppressors.
The proclamation Of General Lee, however,
announcing the presence of his army Of libe-
ration, failed to satisfy the people Of Maryland
that the ragged regiments of JEFF. Davis, with
their Confederate scrip, were profitable or de-
sirable intruders. On the contrary, it appears
that even the Maryland secessionists were dis
gusted with the dirt, rags and wretchedness
of their liberating friends from Richmond.
Maryland was immovable, Lee was con-
vinced. What, then. was he to do! Mcclellan
was advancing upon his rear; Governor Cur
tin was mastering an army of q hundred
thousand sturdy Pennsylvanians in his front;
the rains Of autumn were at hand; the Potomac
river could not be trusted. He had but one
alternative left him. He has adopted 1t, in
falling back into Virginia; but so closely pur-
sued by our army as to justify the belief that
bis broken forces will be routed and dispersed
before their retreat is ended.
As for the reported heavy battle at Harper's
Ferry, we have no doubt that its results will bs
entirely satisfactory, for the movements Of the
mand appear to have been admirably arranged
to checkmate the enemy at every point. We
are satisfied that this rebel retreat from Mary-
land is full of that demoralization under which
this grand ragged. liberating rebel army will
speedily melt away, especially with the exhaust
ed country which lies before it and the terrible
army of retribution which is behind it.
Expelled from Maryland under all the de-
moralizing circumstances Of a disastrous re.
treat, the great rebel army Of Virginia can
hardly escape the penalty of . speedy destruc-
ton or dissolution. And 20 of the grand
Southern army of Kirby Smith, destined for
Cincinnati for shoes, clothes and provisions
Driven ignominiously back without battle, its
retreat will culminate in its dispersion. Thus
the last desperate rebel programme Of the inva-
sion Of our loyal States, East and West, has col
lapsed; and with our heavily reinforced and re-
invigorated armies in hot pursuit, we shall soon
reduce this rebellion to that last stage of resist
ance-an impotent and short lived guerilla
warfare.