Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-30

The Rebel Designs frustrated by n
nt0rm---The prospects ahead.
From the correspondence of tho New
York Tribune, we extract the following
paragraphs, giving clear view of the
situation at the seat Of war:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 1862.
The Rappahannock line is abandoned,
and our forces have fallen back to another
position ten miles TO the rear. General
/ Pope was not long in discovering, what il
may be presumed the Rebels knew all the
time, that the Rappahannock, above its
junction, is fordable in many places where
there are no recognized fords. With the
river at its ordinary height, therefore, the
Rebels might have chosen an unguarded
point-for along line Of such extent it
is obviously impossible to defend every
point--and crossing by night, might have
established heavy force on the northern
bank, cutting in two the line of defense
and the cooperating forces, and seriously
compromising both wings Of the Union
army. The attack on our center, at the
railway bridge moreover, showed that the
strength Of that position had been over
rated, and all circumstances seemed to
unite in suggesting that the Rappahannock,
which for the moment had served us so
well, both as a barrier and a strategic
line, had no permanent value as defen-
sive front
When the river rose and threatened the
safety OF the railway bridge, it was at first
reekoned a misfortune but the delay
which it interposed to the rebel movements
was more than a compensating advp atage
Profiting by the condition Of the stream,
which forbade any attempt to crossit with
heavy columns, much less with artillery
or wagons, Gen. Pope again withdrew his
force in the face Of the enemy, and oceu-
pied, without serious loss or hindrance, the
line on which his army now reposes. At
the time Of the first retreat the movement
would probably have been impossible, for
only the river could have checked the swift
approach of the rebel columns, enraged by
the unexpected escape of their outnumber-
ed enemy. Deliberately adopted now and
successfully occupied in force, it may pro-
badly be accepted as the true line of de-
fense as long as defense is our policy, and
the true base of offense when forward
movement commences.
Bull Run Mountains, extending south
westerly from Leesburg, terminate near
Warrenton. Disconnected ridges guard
their western flank at the southern ex-
tremity, and the whole chain forms APP
parently q barrier, impossible except
through Thoroughfare Gap. It may be
presumed that General Pope's right flank
rests near the foot of these mountains.
The railway from Warrenton to the juno
ton follows nearly the general course of
the north fork of the Rappahannock, and
is necessarily within our lines, the center
of which might find the Junction itself
convenient pivot for strategic operations.
Between the railway and Fredericksburg
is stretch of country rather more than
twenty miles broad, bounded on the east
by the Potomac. Fredericksburg, of
course is retained in our possession, and
Acquia Greek as well as the rest of the
Potomac bank, is to be defended.
1t seems to be considered that the main
force Of the rebels passed to the west and
north of the original center Of our lines on
the RappahannOck The cavalry dash on
Catlett's Station by way Of Warrenton was
only a meteoric detachment from the main
force and probably indicated, as 1 have
before suggested the near presence Of a
heavier force. When once the course of
the main column was ascertained, General
Pope drew in his long-extended line to
meet them, sending Sigel again to the right
from which he had been drawn last Thurs
day, and collecting for the same purpose,
the other widely separated corps. With
the progress, therefore, of the rebel col
umns, moving on the outer and larger arc
of concentric circles, the whole line Of Gen.
Pope swung round to the right, and chang
ing the direction Of its front with rapidly
and precision, again waited the rebel ap-
proach. This is the movement which at
the outset described by saying that the
army had fallen back. Relatively to the
Rappahannock, it is a rearward march;
but in fact it is msneuvre rather than a
movement, and consists simply in keeping
the face of the army steadily toward the
rebels
But for the rise of the Rappahannock. a
battle would have been fought last week
between the two armies. Jackson, lead
ing the advance as before, crossed the
river with his corps, and the rest of the ar
my was to have followed Once over, it
would have had no choice but to fight, and
if beaten, could have escaped annihilation
only by surrender, or the swollen river
in its rear barred all retreat. 1t may well
be presumed that the rebels we're all aware
of the reinforcements rapidly sent forward
to Pope. 1t would be difficult to say what
fact important to the campaign they may
not be presumed to be aware of. They had
therefore the alternative Of immediate bat
tie or retreat. Compelled to deter their at
tack they are already retreating; but
whether only from their first position or
in search of defensive line, may be still
question.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, Aug. 26. 1852.
Mr. lincoln said during the existence
Of the Department of the Rappahannock.
that heavy dew caused freshet in the
rivers Of Virginia. The smart thunder
shower Of last Friday evening probably
delayed great battle on the north side of
the Rappahannock. From prisoners taken
in the late skirmishes, and from many
other sources, l have learned that it was
the intention of Gen. Lee to cross his entire
army during Friday night and the day
following, and attack Gen. Pope, before
the reinforcements from McClellan's army
arrived upon the,ground. Before the army
Of Virginia made its mastery retreat be-
fore the eyes Of the whole rebel horde, it
was supposed that the Rappahannock
could be passed at only six or seven diff
ferent points, but it soon became evident
that he entire stream from five miles
above Warrenton Springs to the main
body Of the river was one grand ford, and
that the rebel army, could almost march
up to its banks in line Of battle, and walk
on the bed Of the river dry shod.
The old fords of long standing were
closely watched and strongly guarded,
but to the surprise of our generals, rebel