The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-09-09

we presume thai the foh0wlng letter IN
The New York Tribune (cxtra) Of Monday. Is
the "hori5le runor" ref,rcd to in the Pha.
delphis dispatch which We published y.ster-
Nows Of the gratest importance arrives
this morning from tho field; news 80 startling
that almost hesitate to sum up the reports,
or TO dwell upon their significance But from
different sources comes so much corroborative
evidence that the reports cannot be dismissed
as rumors.
That the rebels arc still at Manassas juno
tion; that they have destroyed Bull Run
bridges; that they are at Faiafax Station, at
Burk's Station, at Fairfax Court House, at
Centervle, at numerous points near Alsxan-
dria, whose names are familia in last years
history, seems to be certain beyond question :.
They are even said to have been seen at Hen
ter's Chapel, six miles from Alexandria.
Remaining at Manassas and holding the
stations and railway for twelve miles this side
holding their different positions with de-
termination and cooness-they have been for
two days inierposed between General Pope's
army and Washington, cutting off all direct
communication, and depriyirg the army IN
front Of its supplies.
But the vital question is, How largae is tho
force which has thrust itself in the rea, of such
an army as general Pope'sl Is it only a cav,
airy dash, or is it the movement Of an army
There ia evidence on both sides, but | cannot
undertake to weigh it to night. l only give
the substance of statements, Another letter
that goes to you with this will supply numcr-
Gus details. ns
1t is believed on the one side that tho enc.
my have taken possession Of Thoroughfarc
Gap, aud Of the country on both sides the
range of mountains; and entering At this Gap
and about have placed themselves completely ly
in the rear of Gen. Pope. This account
make the main body Of the rebels to have
gathered at White Plains. Then moving
either from that point or passing around to
the north, they have advanced to Leesburg,
aud have already crossed in small parties at
Edwards Ferry.
On the other hand, the belief is encouraged
in official quarters, that the enemy have sue
cecded only in penetrating through an uude
Tended opening in tho lines o. Gen. Pope,
and that with the temporary obcstructons Of
communication, and ths destruction and dam.
ago which can be accomplished by sudden
raid, their mission will DO at an end. But
official communications to the public are so
brief and undecisive that opinion from that
source. must be based upon inferenccs rather
than upon facts.
The rebels, to make this movement, must
have left behind them all or most of their
own supplies and means Of transportation, but
counted for supplies upon the stores to be cap
tured at Manassas aud other stations. The
trains and comnissary depots said at first to
have been burned, were doubtless preserved
it needed for the rebel army, and SO far their
calculation is correct, and their army for the
time provided. If this means Of supply is
ty in The way of their alvsnce is relieved,
and the improbabity Of the movement abates
in proportion.
Is il then TO be understood that Washing
ton is in peril No more, 1 answer, then
has threatened it for fortnight. The dan.
ger may have approached nearer, but is the
same which has. impended since the move.
ment from the Peninsula began. which has
hitherto been avered by the rapility of Gene.
raj Pope's withdraw beyond the Rappahan
upck by he sudden rise of that riyor, which
enabled Sigel to hold at bay through Gees
sive days tho impetpous advance Of Jacfison
by the further rearway movement which un.
der cover of Sigels efforts was eff-c,ed secure.
ly and completely. When Pope had trans
erred his army by maneuver at once
hazardous aud skillful from The Rapabannock
line TO that which rested against Bull Run
Mountains on the right, the posit on ought TO
have been secur,. He had exchanged his
wings, the extreme right on the river bccom-
ing the extreme left, and tho strength of the
position receding Nth the movement OF the
army to the right. e''fs
1t has already been said that Mcclellan re.
tired from the peninsula with reluctance,
and only after poremptory repetition Of the
order by General Hslleck. II remains to be
stated that his delay after arriving at Aloxau
dria is the cause Of lhe recent disasters, that
if it be true that the rebel army is in Pope's
rear, and the capital threatened, he only is
responsible. In the crisis of which the de-
cisiye moment is swiitley approaching, Major
General Mcclellan has for two days delayed
his advance 10 older to determine question
of precedence between General Pope and him
SELF
The line along which General Pope's army
extended was OF greater length than his
troops were competent to cover, The point
at which the enemy has entered was a point
which McClellan's forces were to guard.
This delay has exposed it t, incursion, aud
may have impered the safety Of both the
army and the capital. siba.a szst ,s-.s
When Gen. Halleck assumed comuanl Of
the Union armies he sought to restore them
to position from which Oft nsive movements
might once more be possible Tho attempt
involved the safety both Of The army on the
Peninsula, which was to be removed, AID Of
the Army Of Virginia, which was 10 coScr
M Clellan's retreat. | bave already explain
ed tho plan that was adopted. Its unexpec.
tedly cou'p plete success ia its iuvet dang
movement is at once the evidence and tho
trophy Of the genius which planned it. But
the crisis was not over wien tho different
corps Of Mcclellan had reached Frejericks-
burg or Alexandria, or when Pope was be-
yond the Rappahnuock.s -@o'
The capital was still menaceJ by the rebel
advance. Before it could bs deemed to be
safe the line of defense marked for the occupa-
tion Of our armie, was to be drawn and cover
AL com mnIotelv Onca occunied IN f,,rca. fha