Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-16
The Rebel Invasion of Maryland

ne mt diligence which we GET from our army
and Of the rebel invasion of Maryland an
Pennsylvania, is Of the most meagre character
and quite contradictory at that II is sand tha
reporters are excluded from the army, who
accounts for the little we know OF the move
ments and ope rations Of our forces and tn
fact that there are along the Pc tomac in Mary
land, but few hearty Unonists prevents us from
getting much information Of rebel movements
Whether the Government, or those in command
Of the armies, know more than the public, Their
Is no means Of ascertalning, though if the
30 ut they must be proceeding pretty mucn il
the dark
From all that we can learn, however. W,
Judge that the rebels have crossed into Mary
land in large force, and are moving about mucl
at their leisure in the State. They are supply
lng themselves abundanty with provisions, o
which 1t is said, they before had " plentiful
lack, and are having an easy time recupera'
ing and getting themselves into fighting trim
In spite of the pretended loyalty of the great
majority Of the Marylanders, those OF them, at
least in places which the rebels have visited
have received them with open arms, and have
gladly furnished them with all sorts Of valuable
supplies and information.
II Is not quite two weeks since this invasion
was an accepted fact. At the outset it met no
opposition at all, the lords on the Potomac so
tar as appears, having been entirely unguarded
Whether this was owing to the careessness or
inability OF the Government or the Generals
IN command has Il been explained, but the
Tact remains nevertheless. During all this time
an army under Gen Halleck, or Gen. McClel-
Ian, or some other military chefain who has
that matter in charge, has been' operating in
Maryland, and atterly advancing in force up
the Potomac, the rebels keeping one or two
days march ahead of the Union columns, and
our troops occupying the abandoned camping
grounds OF the enemy the next day, or the next
DAY but one, after the rebels left But the
enemy yet remain in Maryland, and at the latest
accounts were moving either into Pennsylya-
MIA, or along the State line Westerly
No one seems able to state precisely what the
rebel purposes are in this invasion. Gen Lee
states it to be an advance to liberate Maryland
from the yoke OF her oppressors, and to suffer
her to take her place. if she choose in the South
ern Confederacy. And this. or the kindred OBJ
ect of compelling the State to ally herself to
the fortunes of the Slave Power is no doub one
OF the motives which have influenced the rebels
in this bold push across the Potomac 1t isals /.
one purpose OF the movement to procure supple
Of which the-rcbol army was in great need, and
winch have been found in rich abundance in u
State which has hitherto suffered but little in
the war.
But the movement has a much greater sig
nlicance than this. 1t is IL transfer Of the war
across the border. 1t is an invasion OF a loyal
State. 1t is offensive war; and is putting not
only the general Government, but the great
State of Pennsylvania in defensive position,
And the effect OF such a condition of affairs can
but help the South, both at home, aud among
foreign powers 1t also reyyes the hopes Of
the Northern Sympathisers with Jetl Davis
and encourages them still TO aid, in such ways
a. they can, some settlement of the quarrel
which shall practically destroy the United
states, and make The Confederacy the chei ant
most potent powor of this continent, a power
OF which they hope in somo way to be part
aud which shall finally include, In its territorla
limits, the great West, if not the great centm
states of New \ ork and Pennsylvania
The success of the invasion and how much i
has yet advanced any of these objects, is yet no
atall settled. 1t has, OF course, given strong
hope to the South, and has driven out for
long time any thought OF Yielding, from their
minds and in tins respect already the move
ment is an immense success. 1t will also be
great service to the rebel cause abroad, and vii
be an argument IN favor Of recognition, if no
intervention, whose logic it will not be easy tC
answer, and which, we may be well assured, J,f
Davis emmissaries at foreign courts will not b,
slew to avail themselves OF. And these are only
q few of the more prominent advantages which
the rebels will derive from this dashlng, We; ap
parently well considered, and skilfully planned
advance into Maryland and Pennsylvania