The New York herald., 1862-09-06
THE SITUATION

THE SITUATION.
There were rumors in town Yesterday of the ac-
tual crossing of the rebels into Maryland; and
they created some excitement in Wall street, but
no where else, because the fact was not univer-
sally known. 1t was oven said that force of one
through Thoroughfare Gap on Wednesday, and
marched towards Harper's Ferry. There is little
donbt that some bodies of rebel cavalry have cross
cd the river, and probably have done so, and re-
crossed it several times: but from our experience
Of the movements Of the rebel cavalry heretofore
Is the opinion Of eminent military men that these
bodies are only the oUdnt co,uYiers Of the army
One thing, however, is pretty certain, that If the
enemy should succeed in crossing the Upper
Potomac into Maryland in force. they will
accomplish nothing but their own destruction
The arrangements now made by Generals Halleck
and Mcclellan are such as to insure their being
cut Off such an event. If the river should rise,
as the Rappahannock did after they crossed it,
even for twenty-four hours. that would be the
last Of the great rebel army. There is every in
dication. from the disappearance of the enemy
from before Washington. that severe battle is
impending somewhere on the Upper Potomac.
Considerable excitement also prevailed in
Washington on Thursday evening, in consequence
OF reports that battle was going on twenty eight
miles up the river at point opposite Poolesville
friv, ~
said that General Summers corps had been thrown
forward TO intercept the enemy in his attempt 20
GROSS the river: but no official account of fight
had been made public.
The latest news from the Upper Potomac, up 70
last evening, was that the rebels had crossed the
river 81 Point of Rocks, and gone back again
Jackson was reported to have entered Leeshurs
on Wednesday and was pushing towards Harper's
Ferry. and that Longstrect was marching in the
same direction. This intelligence, however.
comes from an individual source namely, . mnp
who processes to have made his escape from Lees.
burg and entered our lines.
We have received confirmation, upon pretty
good authority, Of the statement that the rebel
General Bragg is marching towards the Ohio
river, through Western Virginia, with over
10000 men. II il said that he passed
through Chattanooga several days ago, and
was supposed to be gone to Knoxville. If
this be correct, he would be directly on his route
e. Virginia, and it would not take him long, after
passing that point, to get within the limits Of the
Old Dominion, where he may shortly be heard Of
in the Kanawha district, and there is nothing there
r. stop him. General Cox has gone East, and has
left less than 5000 10 protect that valley aud
ahere will be, therefore, nothing 10 hinder Bragg
from striking the Ohio near the month of the Kana.
VIA. Should be succeed in reaching thaa stream
ne can lay waste the country from Wheel
ing down to Ironton, Ohio, and could
important movements Of General Buell's army
consequent upon the marches Of The rebels north.
ward are graphically described to-day by our cor
respondents. and well illustrsscd BY msp Of the
scene Of operations.
Louisville was thrown into considerable excite
uent on Thursday afternoon BY rumors chat vbe
Union forces, under General Gilbert. were at.
Acksd o. nooa By To rebels, near shslbyville,
bout thirty miles sass Of Louisville. The result
vas unknown. Large Union reinforcements arc
rapidly approaching General Gilbert.
There is marked improvement in the trade Of
Memphis since IL fell into our hands The ship.
nents from that port from June q TO Avgos. 20
were a. follows -
Cotton, bales. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l5 ,00s
Sugar. hhds. Observation-Disclosures. 8 SAG
Holasses, bbls. s........................ 1898
II has been ascertained with accuracy that the
whole amount Of cotton destroyed was only $50 000
halea The halanca 4 STORED amAx xafelu In thr