The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-24

1t is generally believed that there is a bat
tie pending between Mcclellan and Lees ar
mics in the vicinity of Winchester, Va. The
advance of the Union army from Harper's
Ferry, last week, points to collision of the
two armies at an early day, ifthe rebels don't
run. 1t is said that our advance at Charles
town was in close proximity to the rebels on
Thursday of last week, and the news Of an
other battle may come to us any day. There
to rout the rebel army under Lee if he con-
centra,es those forces. Would it be interfer-
ing with military operations to express the
hope that the entire Union strength on the
Potomac may be put forth in the coming bat
tie, thus almost ensuring victory? A
glance over the disasters to the Union arms
from the first Bull Run to the last viii! con-
vince almost any one that those disasters
would have been averted had not the federal
forces been scattered instead Of massed at
the critical moment.
Later intelligence does not indicate an i'm
mediate engagement. The force in McClel-
lan's army which made an onward move to
Charlestown retreated to Harper's Ferry a.
gain, and affairs on the Potomac remain in
statu quo-i.e. "all quiet"
Our people have bad way of announcing
victories before they occur. For instance
the report came from Kentucky two weeks
ago that Buell. had beaten Bragg badly; but
it didn't prove so. There was no second bat
tie as reported, but the rebels captured part
of the federal train and some 500 men. 1t
is said that the rebel loss in killed was larger
than the Union loss, but of that there is no
evidence. So affairs in kentucky remain a.
bout as they were.
The piratical rebel ship Alabama has been
doing pretty extensive business in captur-
ing and burning defenseless American mer-
chant vessels and whalers. Some of the
crews thus captured have arrived at New
York, having been released by the confeder-
rate pirates, and their accounts of the Ala
bama's exploits are quite exciting. The Ala
bama is vessel the rebels procured of their
English neutral" friends, is very fact sail
er-steam and sals-and carries the most
improved guns, among which are two 1OO-lb
rihed Parrots. She carries the flags of all
nations, but usually displays the English.-
She cruises about in the channel of trade be-
tween this country and Great Britain, and
gobbes up our merchant vessels with impa-
nifty. The English make no secret of the aid
they are extending to the rebels in the mat
ter ofvesse's and guns, and the prospect now
is that We have got to fight English skill up
on the water as we'll as the combined rebel
force upon the land.
Gov Andrew of Massachusetts,, has written
letter accepting the nomination of the Re
publicans for governor. He will be elected,
of course, the old Bay state will not disgrace
itself by allowing him to be defeated. When
the true history of this rebellion is written,
in the front ranks of the loyal hosts that rose
up to crush it, will appear the name of John
A. Andrew of Massachusetts.
The war news from the West is unsatisfac-
tory. The rebel Morgan (guerilla) is DASH
ing about in Kentucky at the head of his
band of cut-throats. Gen Buell. is in pursuit
of Bragg, but without any immediate pros
pect Of overtaking him.