Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-16
The Critical Period.

In another article, prepared before the re-
ceipt of the news of Saturdays conflict with
the rebel Generals jackson and Ewell, we
have glanced at the situation of the Federal
armies in Virginia, as it stood in the latter
part Of last week. 1t would seem that the
engagement south of CulpePper is but the be-
ginning Of q renewal of active hostilities, and
that we may look for other battles in the same
quarter speedily following the indecisive,
though desperate and bloody one of the 9th.
The enemy, 1t is now more that ever apparent
has been massing large bodies on the Virginia
Central Railroad since the failure to dislodge
Mcclellan from Turkey Island Bend and
Harrison's Landing. This concentration was
doubtless for the purpose of taking the otfen-
sive and falling upon scattered detAchments of
Gen. Pope's command northwest of Rich
mond, and destroying them, if possible, in
detail. In view Of this plan of the rebels,
which our officers have had the sagaeity to
perceive, we have seen the theater of opera
tions drawn off from the Virginia Valley
the scene of Stonewall Jackson's first incur
sions; the corps of Banks, Sigel and Mellow
ell brought within cooperating distance of
one another; Burnside's corps transfer
red from the james to the Rappahannock
river; and dispositions for offensive and
defensive operations made with great care
and caution along the banks of the Rapidan.
The Federal lines we're drawing closely about
Gordonsville, which, being the junction of two
important lines of communication and supply
the rebels could not afford to lose. To save
this point, and at the same time make it rem
devious for the aggressive movements Jackson
and Ewel were sent from Richmond, whence
also the division of A. P. Hill was afterwards
rs it appears, ordered for their reinforcement.
This relieved Gen. Mcclellan, who had been
locked up, as it were, in bend of James river
and enabled Gen. Burnside to indirectly CO.
operate with Pope. It is now seen that the
expedition under Gen. Hooker to Malvern
Hills was to menace the Confederate capital
and hold the rebels there in check to prevent
an undue strengthening of the enemy's troops
on the Virginia Central.
JEFF. Davis officers evidently feel that now
is their time to strike Their policy obviously
is to wage battle quick and heavy, before the
new army Of three hundred thousand, now al
most ready, can take tho field. With them de-
lay is dangerous. To procrastinate Ia to aban-
don everything. Already the secession press
is beginning 10 murner omniously en- account
OF manifest hardness to follow up what is
supposed to be an advantage. Whether there
Is, in reality, or not, an epidemic pestilence in
Richmond, it is certain that the rebel army is
falling of rapidly from sickness. 1t has been,
and Is, stronger than 1t will ever be again,
compared with the Federal force. Now or
never, should be the rebel watch word, for pre-.
eious moments are lost with every stroke OF
the clock.
1t is Dot surprising that the enemy should
have given over, when he did, the attempt to
take advantage Of the withdrawal of MeClel-
Ian to the James river The soldiers of his
army are 100 tough, shoot too well, stand up
too brayely under fre, to afford much promise
OF vic DRY in that direction. Pope was in 6
manner untried, and it was thought, errone-
ously as it turns out, that mis- forces were much
divided, sad disposed at points where they
could not be easily aggregated. Hence, Pope
was pitched upon dc Offering the best chance
for success. We do not know how many
troops are under command Of General Pope
at present. or may be made available to him;
nor is it as yet clear what is the precise strength
of the enemy-whether Richmond has been
materially weakened 80 as to make it possible
for Mcclellan TO take the city, or whether only
the surplus has been sent to Gordonsville, still
leaving enough at Richmond for defense. But
one thing is certainly apparent and that is,
that much better generalship has been dis
played on the Federal side in the last three or
four weeks, than aas been seen outside of the
army Of the Potomac in the whole Virgins
campaign, since Mcclellan was relieved of the
position of General-in-Chief We attribute
much Of this to Gen. Halleck, and cannot but
feel, with SO able man st the head of mill
tary affairs, that however critical the present
situation may be, our armies will come cut OF
the conflict with undying honors.--Missour;
Repubtiean, 18th. ~ ssAf-s-