The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1862-09-04
Correspondent of tho Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Aug 20. 1867.

correspondent OF tho Clncln1atl NaZc''o'
WASHINGTON, Aug 20. 1857.
We are no longer in doubt as to the ma
ture of the rebel movement on Manassas"
1t has been an occupation in force: n,'e
We have been guarding the fords on the
Rappahaunock the rebels have passed our
right, come in from the mountains oacK Oh
Warrenton, and poured down on Manassas
Junction. Last night they held FairiaS
Court house and Centerville, and the OLD oat'
tlefield of Bull Run-they were back again
| in short, to their familiar grounds OF year
ago. We should hardly be astonished to hear
of them even at Munson's Hill oEce more
with such ease do they seem to sweep past
| all our defenses.
1t has become public that last Wednesday
afternoon General Mcclellan telegraphed
Ha.leck that the enemy were between Pope
and Washington in force; that large por-
ton, if not the whole. of their army had
been suddenly transferred to this new posi-
ton; that there could be little doubt tn cir
intention was to march straight to Edwards
Ferry, thence into Maryland, and either
down to Washington or over toward Balti-
more; and that every available man should
be Instantly put into the forts around the
capital.
That same evening General Mcclellan
leck's residence, had an interview with him
that was protracted till two O'Clock in the
morning, and as hastily returned to his post
IN the evening. Next morning there was
great commotion in Cabinet circles. The
President at an early hour sent for Governor
Chase and Secretary Stanton, with whom
he held lengthy conversation. Not long
afterward he was over at the War Depart
ment in person. and then Gen. Halleck was
sum moned. Next, Governor Chase-who
is usually the most regular Of officers in at
tendance at his own Department-was off in
consultation with Secretary Seward; and
thus the trimmings to and fro among the men,
bers of the Administration continued for
some hours. Evidently there was matter
of more than ordinary moment involved.
Meantime Georgetown and Alexandra
began to present an extraordinary spectacle.
Clouds of colored fugitves came pouring in
from the regions around Manassas Junction,
Fairfax Centervile and Vienna, men, wo-
men and children; little piccaninnies that
could scarcely walk, Juggling their little
loads; old, white wooded veterans, driving
their crazy carts, with all their household
movables packed around them and their
eyes half starting from their heads as they
/ looked uneasily around to see if they were
yet pursued; women loaded down with two
or three babies. bedquilt and frying-pan
apiece; it was fresh exodus from the house
of bondage, with the Potomac for the Red
Sea. and every fugitive afraid that the mod
ern Pharaoh ackson and his men-would
be down upon them before they completed
their passage. The Union citizens of the
freshly invaded region were hardly behind
the contrabands. and all day long the Chain
Bridge was crossed by steady stream Of
Virgnians. fleeing from their native State
before an invading Virginia army.
The good people of Washington took the
in lection. Most of them had been accli-
mated to the periodical scare" but no
amount Of reasoning could convince others
that the hoofs of Stewards cavalry would
not be rafting over the Avenue before
forty eight hours had elapsed. Timid wo-
grave gentlemen said they were not at all
alarmed, but they must take care of their
families A very fair share of our popula-
ton stood ready to make grand charge on
the railroad depot at the first sound of
musket shot.
The military men still talk strategy. but
those of US who have seen something of this
operation of dragging" big armies are pro-
foundly susceptible with regard to it. There
are plenty of men under our Generals out
there to deliver us by good honest fighting,
II decently led; aud II hShtlnS doesn't save
the capital l confess to a sorrowful convic-
ton that superabundance of generalship
won't do il.
The report you have received before this
Of General Mcclellan having obtained the
command Of the consolidated army in Vir-
glnia is correct; as matters 90 now seniority
Of commission decides the military prece-
dence in command, unless the President
otherwise orders. Congress has given him
the power to violate this hitherto arbitrary
military rule whenever he chooses. He
chose to do so when he put Pope in COM
mand Of the Army of Virginia; he doesn't
choose to do SO now; and so Mcclellan, by
virtue of his rank assumes the commando
That is the simple explanation of the mat
ter.