Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1862-10-22

for example, the rebel army would have re-
crossed into Maryland at some other point,
above or below, and thus forced Mcclellan to
return and defend Washington and Baltimore.
He coul,i nut go above the rebel line to ad.
vance, for then tie enemy would be between
lin and tie great points Of deCence-Wash-
ington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York lie has, therefore, tried to keep them
in doubt as oli4 utsvements. by slowly NOV.
ing about on either side of the Potomac at
Ilarper's Ferry and Willamsport, and they,
understanding his game, have outaanked him
by this raid into the Cumberland Valley, by
the circuitous route Of Hancock.
Even had tile Pennsylvania militia remain.
ed at lIagcrstown and Gr-encastle they could
not have prevented :his ncursion, for, as will
be seen by reference to the map, the enemy
have turned both points via Hancock, Mcr-
cersbnrg, and ST. Thomas, and thus our mill
tia would have had their communications cut
off, a ID bten obliged 10 advance and fight the
rebels ut once to insure their own safety. In
any aspect in which we may view this move
ment, therefore, it is very serious one, aud
We must all be prepared 10 meet it promptly,
and with the spirit Of men whose lomcs are
in danger.
The Cumberland Valley is one of the mcst
fertile and best cultivated in the Union pop.
u'ous, thriving and wealthy, it offers to the
entmy a tempting opportunity for plumber.
The enemy could easily levy forced loan on
Chamber>burg, and sweep of besides horses,
cattle, forage and provisions, and if these be
their objects they will be oiT again bacli.to
Virginia, before we can mnster forces enough
to rcpcl tlcm. Tn like manner they could
make incursions into other valley along our
Southern border, from time to tine, and com
pei us to keep a large force in the field to de-
lrnd the State.
This proceeds, however, upon the ass,lmr-
tion that the army Of the Potomac would
remain idle, which it canrot do with any
safety to itself. The security of The North is
essential to that of the army OF the Potomac.
1t will be necessary, therefore. for General
MrtQ4szAto resume active operations at
oHce, ig snmc new direction, in order to coun.
tcract the encmy's movements and threaten
their army. rrASit would interfere with The
success of our operations to indicate TIE obvi
pus lines Of such operations, we await further
developments, mt and conhgas Il our attention to
cur own affairs. Sd
1t must be apparent now to the commonest
apprehension that we must make an imme
date and general rally Of all our available
militia forces ard prepare for an advance
against the enemy. 1t is true that such q
movement at this time would be most unfor
t,luatc, in view Of The approaching election.
which lhis rebel invasion may have been in.
5;S,dcd to influence, by drawing off the Re
ypubiicans aud leaving the Democrats in ma
lori y at home Che Administration at Wash
iug,on could help Us in this emergency by
sending 10 Chambersburg the available for
ces from all parts Of New York, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, which perhaps will be done.
Still We mast al now be prepared to.ra'ly for
the defence of our own State.
Unless We do this, The rebel detachment
Which has captured Clambcrsburg may just
as easily take Harrisburg, and establish a pro-
vi,iuual Government at the Stale capital,
under the auspices Of Hughes and his coad-
tutors, most OF whom would not be slow TO
avail themselves Of this opportunity. The
times are pcriluus, and require plains speaking
aud pEompt aclion. Let all our militia Or
gani.A,ions he again called to meet aud Grill
ar thlr rariouS armories, preparatory to
marching auce more to meet the enemy and
defend hrir Grc-SideS.