New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-01


attacked at Manassas junction, and driven thence by
Hooker and Porter toward Centreve. II appears
an the other hand that jackson evacuated the juno
titn and, taking the Centrevie road, Of his own
motion, was subsequently threatened and diverted
from that point by lleinizlem4n. Thereafter came
severe fight, terminated by darkness the result Of
which is declared 10 be a repuse of the enemy.
Beyond this point the dispatch does not 90.
There in yet 10 authentic account Of the battle OF
yesterday, no statement of its issue-oihcia or other
wise. Before this afternoons mail closes il is likely
To be received; but, unless il results in the over
wheuiug defeat or capture OF Jackson's force, the
measure Of our success Is still doubtful
Further information about the Rebel plans renders
it extremely doubtful whether the struggle going on
near Centreve can, in any event. be considered de-
cisiv- The force which penetrated Thoroughsre Gap
under Longstreet Las probably been over-estimated
AMI there il an ominous silence concerning tue
movements of what, after deducting johnson and
Lougsreet, must sill be the main body OF the Rebel
Army. There il another very different view OF
the stmminent probabilities of Rebel sue
lcess. Laie information pus the number oil
the Rebel Army DOW in front of, and north
of tie Capital at not lees than two hundred
thousand. They are marching not directly for wash
ngtou hut for Baltimore upon the capture oil Which
cits the fall of Washington is reckoned certain 10
follow. Stonewail jackson, who has never been Id
command of more than one wing or more properly
OF the aavapce column of the Rebel Army, was sent
by Lee through TboroughfaEe Gap with thirty thou-
sand men with two purposes in view.
First: BY turning the flank and teaching the rear
Of Pope's army to occupy his attention, break his
communications and hold his forces near their pres
ent line
Second: To compel Mcclellan to develop the
strength and position Of hs forces in front Of Alex
andria, and by the nlerposion of Rebel force be-
tween him and Pope-both compromising the latter
and threatening a direct movement upon Alexandria
to arrest Mcclellan also in bis prese1, position.
Thus with only small part OF lis whole army by
movement hazardous indeed but strategically
sound Gen. Lee proposed 10 engage the attention of
all the Union forces. and couine them III the vicinity
and 10 the south of the Capital, while, with the
strength of his army, he might advance outside OF
Ba Run Mountains to LeesbuIg, cross the Polez9sc
by the numerous fords along the semcircuar bend
of the river Of which Leesburg is opposite The
center enter Maryland, concentrate BIS forces Ut
Poolesye and march straight upon Baltimore
Once over tie line IN overwhelming numbers he re-
lies on the risng of the Rebels in Baltimore, and on
supplies from ali Ae country, which al heart If loyal
only 10 treason With Baltimore IN possession and
tie National Capital cut of from support and com
muncaon, be threatens 10 advance northward and
to grasp Washington at his leisure.
Pursuing this plan, jackson precipitsted his army
into the center Of hostile forces and holding Ma
nassas for three days with the most iunexbe deter
minaton poshed out in all directions with cavalry,
and by the euidenuess Of bis movements covering a
wide extent of territory, more than fulfilled bis
share Of the Rebel plan. While Pope wac menaced
in ,he rear Mcclellan paralyzed at Alexandria,
nd 30 imminent was the danger regarded that p-epa-
retions FOR defense at Alexandria exhausted the
energies and the resources OF that General and still
were deemed incomplete. He could not, or would
not-at all events, did notmarch either TO the relief
of Pope OF in the direction seriously threat
ened by undisclosed danger.
. jackson was obviously 10 occupy Manassas only 20
long as was necessary 10 cover the norhward march
Of Lee and deain the Union armies till il was too
late 10 resist the crossing into Maryland. When,
therefore, he fell back on Thursday from Manassas
TO Centreville, be only executing premedtated
movement His purposes accomplished, it remained
only to save himself if possible, from the position
which lie had assumed with full knowledge Of its
peril. HE readest Of escape would seem TO
have been by Centreyle to Vienna. II that avenue
was closed he must march by the road which leads
first in tie direction Of Thoroughfare Gnp, then
turns to the north and approaches Aide. II lie
psssee through the latter be will join Gen. Lee al
Leeeburg. but probably not by the road on which lie
was expected
But whether Jackson escapes or If CAPTURED The
success defeat lis no way decisive. II Lee has
reached his destination the Potomac, while the 1
armies Of Mcclellan and Pope are al Alexandria and
Centrevile, the crisis, fur from being avered, If
nearer than ever, and threatening in its aspect.
Il may be that such movement is oreseen and pro-
ylded against, can be safely dsregarded but the
North will hardly hear without alarm that Rebel
army is between it and the Cspal and marching Tor
Baltimore. -
| Baltimore.
! Lonps,reet seems to have his left At White Plains,
10 aid jackson in extremity, the march Of
Lee if ia any event force should be cent upon his
Track Hs effort 10 reach jackson defeated by
| Mcdowell and S5el, according 10 POpen dispatch,
| but this result seems undecsive than the other
1heee ews whether correct or not, are the views
Of some military men, and deserve " be stated
and considered They viii BE- read in the Lght Of
subsequent evente ~hicb, before they can be pub
lished, may coniute or confirm them but they are
part OF tie record OF this critical hour, and know
are very earnestly and thoughtiuIly cherished.
! AGernOon.O Official dispatches aud other news are
at hand This afternoon, but need not repeat them
here The news is favorable; perhaps IN some
points adverre the theories have stated. but they