, 1862-09-04
THE WAR In VIRGINIA.
Astounding Ercnts in front Of Washington-
Gen, Rpe's Great Struggle.


Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune.1
WASHINGTON, Monday, Sept. /. 1852.
Iseize the first moment that il properly at
my disposal to write you concerning the
events Of the week. Events, or reports Of
events and opinions founded upon these re-
ports, have shifted their aspect every hour,
and the picture changes as to one looking into
a Kaleidoscope. Last night and this morning
tor the first time, there is an apparent lull:
certain facts seem to be established, the main
points Of the situation are pIatn to sec, and
one Of two opinions must be true. And out
of the whirlpool Of the past week also, certain
truths have emerged.
The character Of that week seems to be en-
tirely unknown to distant observers. Day
after day have watched the reports Of the
New York stock market and been amazed to
perceive that it underwent no great ductua-
tions. This could not have been because the
newspapers did not admit their readers to
1iew Of the panorama, which was passing be-
fore our eyes here; for, although the telegraph
is struck dumb and correspondents within tue
lines we're excluded from communicating with
their emPloyers-by the generalshlp' Of jack
sol more than by the general order Of Halleck
still what was known here found its way to
New York and Philadelphia, by mail and spe-
cia1 messenger. But nobody seemed to be-
lieve what was printed; nobody believed the
fact, which indeed was not stated in SO many
words but was plainly inferable from what WIS
printed-that Washington was in danger
really in greater danger than ever before. The
crisis through which the capital, Maryland
and the country are passing, is even yet
upon US. The vast battle, whether
fought today or tomorrow may decide the
fate Of all three; or a fanking movement may
decide it. For the first time since the war be-
gan, we have an enemy at our gates, who is
resolved to pursue q vigorous offensive and
determined, if generalship and desperate
fighting By the largest army with which be
has ever gone to battle, to conquer iudepend-
t ence here and now. That the rebels have
thrown away their opportunities to capture
| Washington, heretofore, may be true; but
that they will seize whatever opportunity il
| afforded them hereafter no one who has watch
| ed the course Of recent events can reasonably
doubt. Had they moved more rapidly aftel
deserving Richmond; had not jackson beer
| cQEGktu AL StudI A1ouutdlu ny tuG E4EEllEu
fighting Of Gen. Banks aud his men; had Gen
Mcclellan postponed obedience to Gen. Hal
leck's order to evacuate Harrison's Landing
three weeks instead Of two weeks; had Pope
movement from the Rapidan and Cnlpeppe
Court House, by which the Rappahannocl
was put between him and the enemy, beg
made with less rapidity; had his second IT
trogade march, when news came Of the attac
upon Catlett's and Manassas Junction, bee
more slowly made, the movement might hav
! succeeded and Washington have been caI
tured. That it will or that it will not succee
now; that Washington will or will not be t:
ken I will not undertake to prophecy. 70
will probably know before this reaches yos
: The rebel generals have certainly shown gre.
e skill in changing the plan Of the campaign
suit circumstances. The battles Of last wee
e we're fought on the third line Of their advant
/ toward Washington, counting Cedar Noun
i ain as upon the first line. And General Pap
i, whatever opinion may be entertained resPtc
5 irg bis generalship in other respects, b
+ shown himself to be, as regards celebrity
e movement, among the very best officers who
e the war has brought into notice.