The national Republican., 1862-09-18
tn q POSITlOR.

real character Of the rebel movement upon
Frederick.
Simultaneous with tho fighting in which
Gen. Mcclellan has been engaged, we find
Hsrper's Ferry attacked and surrounded by
forces Of the enemy from Winchester and on
the Loudoun Heights on the east side Of the
Shenandoah.
1t Is thus certain that only par, Of the
rebel army, principally Lougstreet's diviSion,
passed into Maryland at Frederick. 1t is also
known that a part remained at Leesburg and
vicinity. 1t is certain that u force of the en-.
emy was at Draincsville, in front of Sigels
corps, on Tuesday.
We know that the force which cntcrd
Frederick, left almost Immediately in west
erly direction towards Hagrstown ond Har
per's Ferry.
1t ia not doubtful that il WAS intended from
the ontset, that the force moving by tho way
Of Frederick should rcuuite with tho Other
portion Of the army, which went up on the
Virginia side of the Potomac into the Valley
OF Virginia and surrounded Hsrpcr's Ferry.
The enemy intended to get into the Valley
Of Vtrginis at any rate, and to take bis chsuoes
for foraging in the Cumberland Valley 10
Maryland, and perhaps in Pennsylvania. He
never had the design Of attempting a move
ment into the Valley of the Susquebauua, aud
still less, u movement upon Philadelphia. The
force with which be moved upon Frederick
was altogether too small for those objects,
and bis movements negative any such ipteu.
tions He moved from Frederick, not north,
but west, and 60 as TO reunite with the forces
going up from Leesbure 10 the Valley of vir
ginia.
He left forces behind at Inesburg Their
number ia not publicly known. Greater, m
less, they served as menace to this city, and
were intended to diminish the number Of our
troops who could be spared to pursue the
force moving through Frederick
The rebel movement through Frederick had
thus two objects:
First. To cooper ate in the move ment to
capture our force at Harper's Ferry
Second, ard principally, to Obtain supplies
Of clothing, &c, at Frederick, and food and
forage through the rich portions Of Maryland
which would be traversed by that route.
The exaggerations Of the number of the
enemy in Maryland have been enormous. 1t
cannot by possibility have exceeded fifty thou.
aand.
1t is not known that Stonewall jackson
has been in Maryland at all.
The whole force Of the enemy, with the ex
ception Of the troops left at Leesburg, are
now within short distance of Harper's
Ferry.
How badly the force which moved through
Frederick, may be used up by the pursuing
army Of Generul Mcclellan, IA not definitely
known. The appearances are that it has sui.
fered good deal, aud must suffer still more.
But, after all, the strength of the enemy
when reunited must be considerable, and he
may not yield the Valley Of Virginia without
severe struggle. Tic is desperate in mar >
respects, and especially in the matter Of sub.
sistence. He ought never to be permitted tc
get back to Richmond. Nothing will save
him il our authorities will only sbu, their cars
10 the lying stories Of the cncmys vra,
strength, gotten up to serve the purpose o
preventing prompt movements agaiust him.
Twelve O'CLOCK, MIpSreHT.
The news received here mp u this hour, i.
Of the most cheering character.
From semioflcial source, we learn tbs
Gen. Mcclellan is driving the rebels towarIt
the Potomac.
The engagement yesterday WIS principally
with the rear guard Of the enemy who wal
retreatipg with all possible haste towards tn,
Potomac.
The turnpike bridge across the Antietan
wss destroyed by the rebels in their retreat
The rebels in defending the fording plnees
on the Antietsin. constructed rude Garth
works
1t Ia confidently believed 10 high military
circles here that the enemy has been driver
iom his position with great Ioss, aud tha,
Gen. Nc cClellan has crossed the Antictan will
his whole force.