Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-09-02
FROM WASHINGTON.


Letter nom Col POrnsy to the PhIladslphls Press.
The sound OF couts6ding cannon is again
heard in the capital of the nation. BY the
curious process of war, we have once more
on the shores of the Potomac the armies
which were assembled here not many
months ago. burnside has come back from
North Carolina, Mcclellan has returned
from the James river, Banks has come down
from the mountains. Mcclellan is virtual
ly at the head of as large an army as he
ever commanded before. Our expeditions
10 the sea-coast have been either interrup-
ted or abandoned-the war on the peninsu-
Ia has terminated in virtual admission
that the campaign was magnificent mis-
take. The rebellion cannot be persuaded
away from the Potomac. Here, at the
heart OF the nation, we must meet aud
grapple with the great enemy of the nation.
It Is impossible to state precisely what the
nature of this campaign will be but every
indication points TO q season of tncesSant
and hitter warfare. The rebels are despe-
raIe, for unless they strike a decisive blow
Immediately, the armies of the Republic
will soon be doubled, by the levies under
the Presidents call. Our own soldiers
led by new generals, inspired with the
enthusiasm of the North, and chasteued
by repeated misfortune-will make this
campaign one of immortal deeds.
There is much excitement to-day, aud
many anxious faces may be seen on the
Avenue. This return of war to our homes
is by no means a pleasant thing /; nor is 1t
at all agreeable to retire at night uncertain
whether we shall awake in the morning
nfRf &c sk,a TTntn 0f fh0
ConfedeFacy. But, as have claimed be-
fore in this correspondence, while endea-
voring 70 illustrate the condition of af-
fairs around me, the proximity of the rebels
to Washington does not indicate anything
more than natural result of the policy
adopted by the War Department. Now
that we look upon it as something of the
past, we must admit that It was daring
scheme. To withdraw an immense army
from its position on the banks of narrow
and difficult river, aud transport Tito an
other aud distant base, in the lace Of a Wig
liant and powerful foe, was a magnificent
undertaking. All the perils were on our
side. The rebels had inland steam COM
munication-railroads aud rolling stock
They were virtually within day of wash
iugton. Mcclellan could not move his ar
my in less than week, or ten days, and
it was possible that Lee might adopt tho
Napoleonic policy, fall on Pope, and crush
him before Burnside could arrive to his
assistance, and have Washington before
McClellan's transports had rounded Acquia
creek. The battle of Cedar Mountain was
the prelude to this plan. The gallant de.
tense of Banks crippled the army of Jack
son terribly, and he retired beyond the
Rapidan to recruit his forces and obtain
reinforcements. Lee met ihim-their ar
mics were united, and then came the ad-
vance upon Washington.
. In the meantime our forers were neither
idle nor blind. Had Pope crossed the
Rapidan in pursuit of Jackson, he would
have been captured or cut to pieces. Me-
ClellRn was not near enough to support
him. Burnside was not strong enough,
and he was compelled 10 remain at Fred.
ericksburg as protection TO the lower
Potomac. he could not make the Kappa
hanuock the line of operations, either Of
tensiye or defensive, for il left the valley
| open, and exposed Washington to the dam
| ger of u flank movement by way of Lees
burg or Edwards Ferry. His policy was
an obvious one, aud we now see its wis
dom. Abandoning onlPepper, aud retreat
ing, as it were, in the direction Of the 0c-
coquan, he left open the Warrenton road,
| and exposed Manassas TO the rebels. The
rebels rapidly advanced. Their cavalry
made a raid on Oatlett'sf Station, and esp.
tured some trunks of linen and hosiery,
and another raid on Manassas, where seri-
Gus damage was done, partly because our
troops were Inefficient, and became panic
stricken. Emboldensd by this success,
jackson threw his whole army, as he sup.
posed, in the rear of Pope, and advanced
upon the Warrenton road, evidently con-
templating march upon Leesburg, and
an advance into Maryland. ~
This was the position of affairs a few
days ago. Let us see how II stands to-day.
|. | write you this letter in the midst of a
ing Is merely az honest Interpretation of
these beWildering events. Mcclellan had
arrived at Alexandria. His various diyis
ions were enabled to como within support
ing distance of Pope by the delay which
the Cedar Mountain victory and subsequent
retreat occasioned. Jackson was in full
march, He was within twodays of Wash
ington; there was no apparent obstacle to
his advance. Now we learn, however, that
while he was looking proudly on Maryland,
Pope had thrown column beyond War
renton, completely isolating him from, the
supporting rebel army, while HentzlemAu
is ON the road from Alexandria to oppose
his march. Stgel, and Mcdowell are har-
assing him in the flank, Banks, / am told,
is in the rear, and larger army than all,
under command of Mcclellan, disputes his
march. This is the condition OF affairs at
present. jackson has been fighting terri.
| bly, to extricate himself, but competent
judges fresh from the field of battle, say
that nothing can prevent him from being
captured or annihilated.
This will probably be the end of this last
attempt 70 take Washington. In the mean
time, here we are living Ia a condition of
suspense and excitement. The dull roar
OF distant cannon is hsardEor we fancy
that it is heard. Every one that arrives
from YirgiIiais closely questioned. Troops
are moving in all directions. It is impos-
sible to go beyond Balls Gross Roads
without being stopped by piekets; every
fort around Washington Is gafrfsoned the
guns are loaded; and If the worst should