New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-30

and railway for twelve miles this sde-hoIding their
different positions with determination and cooness-
they have been for two days interposed between
G.n Pope's army and Washington, cutting of all
di ect communication, and deprvipg the army in
front Of its supplies.
But the vital question is, How large is the force
which has thus thrust itself in the of such
army as Gen. Pope's1 Is it only cavalry dash, or
is it the movement Of army There is evidence
on both sides bat cannot undertake to weigh it to-
night. l only give the substance of statements.
Another letter that goes to you with this will supply
numerous details.
1t is believed on the one side that the enemy have
taken permanent possession of Tboroughfare Gap
and of the country on both sides the range Of noun
tains. and entering ut this Gap and above have
placed themselves completely in the rear of Gen.
Pope. This account makes tho main body Of the
Retels 10 have gathered at White Plains. Then
moving either from that point or passing around 70
the north, they have advanced to Leesburg and
have already creased in small parties at Edwards 6
Ferry.
On the other hand the belief 10 encouraged 10
official quarters that the enemy have succeeded only
in penetrating through an undcfended opening in the
lines of Gen. Pope, and that with the temporary OBJ
strucion Of communication and the destruction and
damage which can be accomplished by sudden raid
their mission will be at an end. But official com.
muncations to the public are brief and ndecsive
that opinions from that source mu.t be based upon
differences rather than upon facts.
The Rebels, to make this movement, must have
left behind them all or most of their own supplies
and Of transportation, but counted for supplies
upon the stores to be captured at Manassas and other
stations. The trains and comuissary depOts sad at
first to have been burned doublessly preserved
if needed for the Rebel army, and far their cscu
lstion is correct, and their army for the time pro-
vided. Ii this means of supply is ample for their
subsistence. the chief difficulty in the WAY OF their
advance is -slieved, and the improbabity OF The
movement abates in proportion.
Il j, then 10 be understood that Washington is in
peril No more, answer, than has threatened it
for fortnight. The dang. may have approached
nearer but il the same which has inpended since
the movement from the Peninsna began, which has
hitherto been sverted by the rapdty OF Gen. Popes
" i,hdrawal beyond the Rappahannock, 10y the sud
den rise OF that river, which eaabed sigel to bold
vance of Jackson; by the further rearward move
ment which under of Sigeis effort was effected
securely ard completely. When Pope bad trano-
ierrcd his army by q mxneuver at once hazardous
and skifu from the Rappahapnock line to th-t
which rested sgsiust Bull Run Mountains on the
right, the position ought to have been secure. He
had exchanged his winge, tue extreme right on the
river becoming the extreme left, and the strength
Of the position receding with the movement OF the
army to the right.
Ii bas already been said that Mcclellan retired
from the Peninsula with reluctance, and only after
peremptory repetition of the order by Geu Hsleck.
IL remain. to be stated that bis delay after arriving
AZ Alexandria is the cause Of the recent disasters
that if it be true that the Rebel army is in Popes
rear and the capital threatened, he only is RESPONSE
ble In the crisis vi which the decisive moment was
swiftly approaching, Maj.-Gen Cellsn has for two
DAYS delay ed bic advance in order to determine
question Of precedence between Gen. Pope and him.
self.
The line along which Gen. Pope's army extended
was of greater length than his troops were competent
10 cover. The point at which the enemy bas Ell.
tered was point which McClellsns forces were to
guard. This delay has exposed it to incursion, and
NAY have impered the safety both Of the arrhy and
the capital.
When Gen. Halleck assumed command Of .he
Union armies he sought to restore them to position
from which offensive movement might once more b.
possible The attempt involved tie safety beth of
the army on the Peninsula, which was ~ be re-
moved and # the army Of Virginia, which was to
cover McClean's retreat. have already explained
the plan that was adopted. liz unexpectedly COM !
plete success in i,s most dangerous movement is at
once the evidence and the trophy Of the genius which
planned H. But the crisis WAS not over when the |
different corps Of Mcclellan had reached Frederick
burg or Alexandria, OF when Pope WAS beyond the
The capital Was still menaced by the Rebel ad. |
vance. Before it could be deemed to be safe, the
line o. defense marked for the occupation Of our |
armies wac to DO drawn and covered completely.
Once occupied in force the danger wac passed. and
from that position the next advance WIGS to be made
Tonight is too coon to say whether the purpose 40
nearly mstnred must be Observation-Disclosures delay /
in execution on our eide and audacity in attack by
the Rebels, may mpel VA TO prolonged defense,
or precpitate battle vt the gates OF the capital
The single point left unguarded may have endan.
qered or broken tie whole line. Ii the enemy has
passed in force within the circle, the campaign is 70
DO fought on their plan, not on ours. lfthey do not
or cannot hold their interior position their advance
is q failure, their position defensive, their capital
already threatened.
CoLSwaln, with bis regiment OF Neu.York Caval-
~, upon report that Lcesburg had been attacked by
the Rebels, was sent thitber by Gen. WstSworh
yesterday. lie reports to-day from point s;x Or
eight miles this side of that place, deriving his nfoI
nation from Trustworthy Unonist, Of Mary land,
and from fugitiyes from Leesburg thai the Rebels