Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-05
a Glimpse at Things at washington.
fcorrespondenoo oftbe Evening Post.I
BALrInoKE. Augnst 30, IsG2.

bALTlAOkE, August 20, lSCZ
had glimpse at things at Washington
within the last forty-eight hours. Per-
haps what I saw, or thought saw, may
not be interdicted. If not, it will not be
uninteresting.
Had it not been for the unnecessary de-
lays with which the army of the Potomac
was extricated from its cuJ de sac on the
James river, and transported to the line
of the Rappahannock as reinforcements
for the army of Virginia, it is now seen
that Pope would never have been Obliged
to retire from the line Of the Rapidan. The
public eye is fixed upon the authors. Of
these delays which came so near proving
fatal to the army Of Virginia, and it will
not be long before the finger of indigna-
ton will be directed with whitening influ-
ence upon the mischief makers
It is now evident that had Pope's order
to the defaulting army corps at Alexandria
to move on to Manassas Junction, and pro-
tsct his right from descent Of the enemy
through the ThOroughfare Gap, been
obeyed, his rear never would have been
gained by the rebels in force, and his re-
treat back from Warrenton would net have
been necessary. The parties to this failure
cannot escape, and will be held to fear
full responsibility.
The raids in Pope rear, which have call
ed down so much denunciation from thoss
prints that apOlOgized or the affair be-
hind Mcclellan, were inseparabIe from
the long line of the fordable Rappahannock,
which could not be protected its whole dis
tance by the army Of Virginia without
large increase of numbers expected to be
brought to it by the army of the Potomac
1t is miracle that the enemy was so ut
terly foiled in front, and reflects the high
est credit on the generalship of Pope and
his generals, as well as upon the bravery
Of his men. The plan of Pope's campaign
ure OF the army Of the Potomac to arrive
in season, and the failure of the execution
of his orders mentioned in his last dis
patch from the field but it was believed
yesterday in Washington, by those who
ought to know, that the enemy could not
escape destruction in his attempt to get
between the army of Virginia and the ar
my Of the Potomac if Pope was let alone.
His dispatch had not then been received,
but it has confirmed the military judgment
and the continued cannonade heard from
Alexandria in the direction of the battle
field Of Centreville, all day yesterday and
part Of to-day, would indicate that the
field of Bull Run was being avenged at last
by the overthrow of the desperate eonspi-
rstors.
1t is known now, that if by any possible
chance the rebels should ever get Washing
ton, it is their design to reduce it to ashes
DeEeHdG est Carthage is their motto, and if
the have time they will plough it up and
SOW it with salt This is the logical Sc
quence of their war against human liberty,
and as they would do with every free state
city if they were able. The contemplation
Of their reaching Washington, even by a
raid, was by no means comfortable up to
last evening, and the continuous firing
heard at Alexandria since, alarmed the
timid not a little; but the confidence of the
public in Gen. Pope did not permit the pre-
valence Of any extended fears. The gov
ernment had no apprehensions of the re-
suit.
The campaign of the Peninsula, its
frightful and needless loss of human life,
its enormous expenditure of treasure, its
utter and humiliating failure, are not in
terdicted topics in official circles at the
seat Of government. This seems to be a
healthful indication that such another
blunder will never be permitted again. l
found another token Of returning health,
and that is, public men of all grades are
not afraid to discuss the propriety of ex-
tinguishing slavery by the sword arm of
the government, and the sentiment in favor
of its being done is general. The pres
ence Of the enemy across the river in such
uncomfortable proximity has no doubt
tended to inspire this sentiment and to
quicken it into life.