The New York herald., 1862-10-01
The Situation and Movements Of tn
Union Army.

From the Washington Star, Sept. 30.l
Last night extensive military movements were evil
IDENTIFY commenced in this vicinity, ono body OF quite
90 900 troops taking the line OF march in drec
tion and another body In a different one II does not
become to intimate their respective destinations and
state the fact OF their movement only TO the end OF
letting the impatient public know that the troops in this
vicinity are by no means idle.
Our impression is that our friends Of the Baltimore
Anrtcan are in error in their statement this morning
that General Sumner occupies Charlesown eight miles
out from Harpers Ferry On Saturday his advance
camped OF the hills half way between Charlcsiown and
brigades OF rebel infantry rom Louisiana and North
Carolina), the Sixth Virginia cavalry and their First
Maryland battery. General Summers pickets however,,
then held the ground to within about two miles Of
Chariestown. Gen. Greencs corps hold the Loudon
Tegns, which our left in Virginia
Hercuean efforts being made 10 prepare for cross
ing our whole army over it seems to US in the energy
with which Gen. McClcllan'3 engineer and construction
corps are preparing facilities for with his
base lplies and rear In the shape OF building adj
dtcna rontoon bridge the river and repairing the
superstructe Of the railroad bridge there The former
should hve been passabe last evening" and trust the
latter will be this or to morrow evening Thus Is evi
dent that General Mcclellan does not des Use
gary precautions for the due defence Of His rear neglect
OF which under the inspiration of that never to be for
preliminary proclamation Issued by General Pope led
not long since v results so disastrous The busy labor Of
portion OF the army in the construction OF these works
doubtless gives rise to the general belief that most
Of Mcclellan force will soon be again in Virginia
Deserters and prisoners continue to that Lee s
strongly fortifymg Winchester which does not strike
being probabe in view OF It's great distance from his
base Of supplies.
It is very generally believed here that JEFF Davis s
about to send SO Of his best troops on forced march
over the mountains to Wheeling in the hope OF being
able to take that city and to destroy the government
arsenal &c near Pittsburg and then to take Cincinnati
and cross over INTO Kentucky and form junction with
Bragg and Kirby Smith, all before troops that are
really soldiers be placed In position to interfere with
any portion OF this proposed striking enterprise. II is
argued that the rcbc commanders believe that militia
hastily assembled to the number Of 200 600 will
prove obstacle whatever to the movements Of such
body Of veteran rebel troops that they surely calculate
being abe to seize sufficient steamers 10 transport
army of so 900 whittier thoy choose the Ohio, and
that the fa rains will pnce the river in fine boat
ing order according to the rebel progranmewhch first
hther in whispers Of Richmond gossip. Whenever
Mcclellan in large force in Virginia the balance OF
the rebel army is to fall back on Richmond as soon
possible aud there garrisonne its deences, claimed
to be stronger than those around this city, 10 await
the approach Of army by any route its commander
may elect TO march An important feature Of this alleged
rebel programme is for their force in Kentucky immed
atcy combination sweep the State bare OF its
every horse hog head OF cattle within its reach
driving them South before thcm and having thus obtain
ed such of prolongng the contest (procurablc
where else within their rcach) take post in Southern
Tennessee and Northern Alabama and Mississippi leaving
armies TO follow for winters campaign at their
usual leisure.
Ii we are not greatly mistaken our authorities here
have already occasion interfere before hand with
the realization of this grand scheme OF surprise and vr
tua conquest, by sending to exposed points sufficient
troops TO hold any such rebel flying force in
check until they may be opposed by an overwhelming
army OF Union real soldiers We may also add that II Lee
ventures any such division Of his army watched
the possible lines OF march westward that the fact
will become known hero almost instantly-certanly in
time enable Generals Mcclellan and Heintzclman--the
former by pursuing and the latter by nterceplng thcm
to make short work with the rebel army proposing to
seek refuge under the shadow of the forcatons around
Richmond.
The movement Of the Confedcrates down tho Ohio river
(supposing them 10 be possibly successful Ia reaching
that strean) must necessarily he performed In
armed boats would leave them quite at the mercy OF
gunboats moving up to meet them.