, 1862-08-30
THE WAR In VIRGINIA.
Jackson's Dash In the Front and
SfuaTt's in the Rear.
THE POSITION OCCUPIED BY
GENERAL POPE,
Escape Of Part Of sigel's Captiyes.

A1xxAsDH1A, Vs.. Aug. %, 1861.
TheRsppahannock line is abandoned, aud
our forces have fallen back to another po-
eition ten miles to'the rear. Gen. Pope was
not long in discovering. what # may be pre-
eumed the 1ebe]e knew all the time, that the
Rappahannock, above it's junction with the
Rapidan, in fordable in many places where
there are no established and recognized fords.
With the river is at itsordnary hight, therefore,
the rebels might have chosen an uoguarded
puint-tor along line Of such ezteu. It is OBJ
Vious.y impossible to defend every point-aud
crossing BY night, might have established a
heavy force On the northern bank, cutting in
TWO the lines Of defense and the cooperating
forces, and seriously compromising both
wings Of the Union army. The attack on our
centre at the railway bridge, however, showed
that the strength Of that position had been
ove7rated, and all circumstances seemed to
unite in suggesting that the Rappahaunock
which for the moment had served Us SO well,
both as barrier and q strategic line, had no
permanent value as defensive 'front.'
When the river rose and Threatened the
safety Of the railway bridge, it was at first
rcckoned misfortune, but the delay which i:
interposed to the rebel movements was more
than compepsating advantage. Protiting By
the condition OF the stream, which forbade any
effort TO croEs it with heavy columns, much
less With artillery or wagons, Gen Pope agaln
withdrew his forces in the face OF the enemy,
and occupied, without serious loss or him
drancc, the line On which his army now re-
poses. At the time of the first retreat the
movement would probably have been inpos-
sible, for only the River could have checked
The swift approach Of the rebel columns, en-
ragged by the unexpected escape Of their out
numbered enemy. Deliberately aioptsd ROW
and successfully occupied in force, it may
probably be accepted as the true lire Of de-
fenEe as long as defense is our policy, and the
true base Of ofeusq when forward movement
commence.
From prisoners taken in the late SkirNishes
and fEcm many other sources, I hare learned
that it was the intention Of Gen. Lee to cross
his entire army during Friday night aud the
day following, aud attack Gen. Pope before
the reintorcements from McClellan's armT ar
rived upon the ground. Before the army OF
Virginia made its mastery retreat before the
that the Rappahsnpock could be passed at
only Eiz Or seven different points, but it Eoou
became evident that the entire stream iiom
five miles above WarTento1 Springs to The
main body Of the river #2s one grand ford,
ard that the rebel army could almost march
the bed OF the river dry shod.
The Old lords Of long standing were closely
watched and strongly guarded, but 70 the sur
prise Of cur generals, rebel skir,nishing par
ties we're discovered crossing at points sup
posed to be impossible, compelling US to shift
nanked. The dash Of the rebel Gen. Stuart
WAS but q preliminary skirmi5h ia part to Day
of Gen. Pope for some of his western RAIDS,
! and also to conceal the more extensive move
mcnts Of jackson.
During the night while Stuart 7as fumb1iag
in the trunks Of Gen. Pope, and obtaining
clean linen enough to Last through the season,
jackson crossed his whole corps at half 9
dozen points above Warrenton Springs. Jack.
son, according to the progsamIne, was to en-,
gsgs the right OF Gen. Pope, draw off his at,
tention If possible from his left and center, sc
Us to give the main body Of the rebel army au
| opportunity to cross ct other fords than thost
| guarded by us, and then when safely over tax.
the risk Of the most desperate conflict of tht
war.
The programme succeeded SO far as Jacksor
was concerned. He crossed the river. Stu III
| performed his part well, and both rebel ane
| national army are enjoying the practical joke
he played of upon Gen. Pope. But Proyi
| dence in this instance seemed to be upon oul
| side 4 heavy black cloud rose in the west
and at about midnight burst In furious storu
| Oh both armies. It wss too dark to see th,
fords, even il they could have been passed
! The storm continued all night. In the NOR
| ming the river had become impossible. Gen
| Lee conld not pass, and jackson Was alone o.
| this side Of the stream. Gen. Pope could no
learn the exact strength Of Jackson, and di;
not feel strung enough to engage the Who'll
jackson, learning that Gen, Lee could not re
! iuforce him, kept close to the river aud tt
bushes, and as the river fell recrossed it au
Joined the main body Of the army. But 70
this thunderstorm the greatest battle Of til
| war would have been fought before this an
| Sod alone knows with whom would have bee
the victory.
Persons who were attached to the staff {
Gen Pope, and who were taken prisoners y
Stuart in his last rad, but who eRcsned :
Warrenton. say that the joy manifesto
tua the Of sa q cagsps WIN 9Ron ,h
trophies exceeded all bounds. The pop1
lation OF the village tnrned out en- mass
| Indies ran up to the soldiers aud embrace
them, al:ao@ga u1auy OF t:l4sl .ei4 eusil
strangers. The only bell left in tile city rau
ont loud and clear, and blended its mus
4 Aburly negro, dressed in Gen. Popes be:
uniform, with tie stars Of the major gener
glitteriug upon his shoulders, and nouutc
upon Gen. pope's best horse, rode in front
Stuart, as his famous cavalry brigade m.rchv
through the streeta The negro seemed en-
it; but the multitude enjoyed tuat part Of tt
! spectacle hugely. Some one in the thron:
however, Was not disposed to treat the ne
major general With the respect due to h
rank. AS the cavalcade Was about disappearir
dowuthe road leading to speryville. The col
l LcAAa u I"1 W tAANH A'SQ4S uEH Sts::
splashed on the fine CLOTH Of Cuf1ee: and eoC
led him to discover that, instead Of being {
object Of respect, he was one Of the crosse
: riGicule.
Prisoners taken In the skirmishes along Il
Rappahannock still arrive daily. The numb
taken since last Wednesday reaches near
| AGO. All sorts OF absurd ruuor5 are in Ct
culstion, and will continue to be current IN
, the impoEtic order Of Gen Ha1leck is recaile
The secesslonists Of Alexandria originate mo
of these stories; and as there is no one to ca
tradict them, they soon find large numhe
who readily swallow the most prepostero
fa,sehoeds
; Gen. S:@al captured large number Of RI
els en- Thursday, but the most Of them afl.
| ward managed to escape to an advance
rche1 1cinfoTccnlcuts FIR superior to Lde III
, ber of our own troops, and1the want of 81
ficieut number Of soldiers 10 hold them.