The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1862-09-13

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In the Peninsula, the rebels, animated by despair
ing and almost superhuman energy, have been
pressing hard against the gates of Washington.
And while our fortifcations at the capital are su
hcientiy strong, on every side, to be impregnable
to the assaults of the enemy, it is humiliatng to
consider that the expenditure during the past few
months of thousands of patriot lives and millions of
money, has resulted in nothing more than placing
us again on the defensive, where, instead of
making the war aggressive, we can at best only
hope to hold our own. ss
Our files leave us in doubt as to the exact con-
dition ofafairs. The papers, as late as the 9Th
inst. contain no definite intelligence, but are filed
with rumors of an ominous character. Sitting
these reports we are led to believe that the enemy
Is determined to transfer the desolations of the
conflict to Northern soil. His entire force had dis
appeared from in front of our lines, and was sup
posed, at last accounts, to be concentrating upon
the upper Potomac with the intention Of crossing
over into Maryland. Color is given to this sup
position from the fact that the river is very low
some of the fords not being more than few inches
deep-and the passage is not only practicable for
cavalry, but also for light artillery. The rebel
army left Richmond short of supplies, and the
means of communication being imperfect, it could
not, without great difficulty and delay, obtain re-
lief from that quarter. In the neighborhood OF
Washington the country is like desert, and the
supplies captured from Gen. Pope would afford
but temporary relief. In their distressed condi-
ton they must return towards Richmond, at the
risk of dishearening and disorganizing the troops,
or take the fearful risk Of crossing the Potomac to
draw sustenance from the rich farms Of Maryland.
Doubtless they have chosen the alternative which
seeming to them the only chance Of salvation to
their cause-is quite as likely to result in their
utter discontinue. The occupation Of Maryland
appears to be part of general plan of the rebels
to invade the loyal states. We do not for mo-
ment believe that they could penetrate far beyond
our borders, but there are evidences that the
attempt win be made The news reaches us that
strong rebel force is threatening Louisville, KY,
and simultaneously force equally strong is
marching upon Cincinnati The surrender of
Clarksvine, Tenn, is followed by an attack upon
Fort Donelson. Gen. Bragg is marching through
Western Virginia, towards the Ohio river, with
every chance of an Uninterrupted advance.
In view of these audacious threatenings and our
disastrous Summer campaign, the nation cannot
but feel mortified and disgraeed. We look to our
Generals and ask upon whom rests the RESPONSE
bility 2 It is singular that the confidence of the
people is not utterly paralysed; but they still seem
filed with sublime courage, and an rnwaVerng
hopefulness. Our new levies come forward with
unlooked-for readiness, and wa will soon have
mustered mightier host than has ever before
rallied to the support of any Government. The
crisis of the war appears to be at hand, and upon
our Generals rests the fate of the Nation. Heaven
grant that they may yet prove themselves equal
to the grand emergency!