Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-26
From the Army of Virginia-Its Position
ThursdaY Night.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-The army of Viz
gina crossed the Rappahannock on Tuesday.
With its reinforcements it now holds the
northern bank of that river, guarding every
ford between Fredericksburg and Warrenton
Springs, and holding, throughout its whole
line, positions of great strength. The rail-
way bridge is believed to be impregnable by
any force the enemy can send against it.
The fords are all difficult for artillery, and all
easily defensible with limited forces. When
left Gen. Pope's headquarters yesterday eve
ming it was believed that no reason for alarm
any longer existed.
The rebel plan was simple and well con-
ceived Johnston rapidly advanced his army
by rail from Richmond to Gordonsville, drew
straight line from Gordonsville to Wash
ington, and put his columns IN motion
Marching on that line, they were turn to the
left flank of Gen. Pope's army on the Rapi-
dan, and destroy it. Still marching on that
line, they were to turn the right of Burnside's
army at Fredericksburg, and destroy 1t. Then
the road to Alexandria becomes public
highway, for Mcclellan would either be still
on the peninsula or out of reach on the river
Before he could arrive the decisive battle
would have been fought at the gates of the
capital The movement thus clearly planned
was promptly attempted. Why has it failed?
There are two reasons. First, the battle of
Cedar Mountain. Second, the instant and
admirable retreat of General Pope. When
jackson crossed the Rapidan, and, on the 9th
of August, advanced in force toward Culpep-
per, he led the advance of the army Of Rich
mond. To him had been entrusted the duty
of annihilating the army of Virginia, the
strength of which he certainly moderated.
The desperate battle on the 9th, fought by part
of the forces of single corps, brought Jack
son to a sudden stand and he finally recross-
ed the Rapidan, to await the advance of the
approaching columns from Gordonsville The
loss of that week was fatal to the rebel cam
paign.
But Gen. Pope, infexibly pursuing his pur-
pose at all risks, to cover the retreat of Nc
Clellan, advanced to the Rapidan, still threat
ened the rebel lines, and was still exposed to
the flank movement they meant to make on
the left. In spite of the delay, therefore,
success was possible, and the rebel plan was
still pushed with characteristic energy and de-
termination. Hating their leading columns
till all had arrived, they again advanced to
the Rapidan, and this time with their whole
available strength.
If with this army Johnston had fallen on
Pope, he would have crushed him; but he
COulu not Tedcn MN 10 SCFlKe INe DlOW. On
Monday the enemy was within days march
of the Rapidan. The news came before noon,
and before 3 o'clock Gen. Pope had put his
trains in motion, and issued marching orders
to his army. BY Tuesday night they were
across the Rappahannock
The rebels, therefore, instead Of defeating
Pope on the left and crossing the Rappahan-
mock unopposed, as they confidently expect
ed found that Pope could not be caught, had
bafied them by his rapidity, and that with his
whole army on the north bank of the river,
he stood ready at all points to dispute its
crossing. In thirty-six hours this general,
whom they expected to find asleep by the
waySide as they advanced, had moved eigh-
teen miles train of five thousand wagons
and an army of | must not say how many
thousand men, and on the northern bank of
the Rappahannock was awaiting the advance
of an army three times the strength of his
own.
There remained to Gen. Joseph Johnston
two possibilities-to force a passage in front,
or to attempt flank movement to the left on
the Warrenton road. If he attack the bridge,
he must move his army, which never yet
fought except under cover, across an open
plain mile broad, exposed to such an artil-
lery fire as no troops in the world could with
stand. If he attempt a ford, he will fare nc
better If he goes to the left, it is long ant
dangerous march, and the delay is fatal.
So stood the two armies on Thursday night