The New York herald., 1863-05-15

were ON moro extensive scaio. LESS activity dis
oernabc In most kinds Of groceries and provisions and
moro In rice aud aow without any remarkable changes
10 prices. whskcy cotton and tobacco wero dull and
heavy The freight make, not acve but rates
well supported Tho changsstn other commodities wero
lnmpoant. Auction sales OF teas and dry goods 90
,urrei during the day, but were rather spritless.
The Army OF the Potomac and tho War
I'm virginta.
The Army Of the Potomac Is re-established
In its old quarters on this side the Rappahan-
mock, and the opposing rebel army has returned,
In force, to the Heights Of Fredericksburg, on
the other;side. Such are our latest advices d.
rect from the field. The situation of the two
armies is the same as before the late advance
of General Hooker. and may perhaps remain
80 for some time to come.
1t would thus appear that General Lee has
sufficiently restored his communications with
Richmond to feed his army. and has adopted
the necessary precautions against any probable
advance upon the city by way of the peninsula,
while holding the main body of his forces in
readiness for another trial of strategy and tao
tics with General Hooker. It is reported, how.
ever, that Lees plans now comprehend the re-
moval Of the bulk Of his army to the railway
junction near Hanover Court House, in the fork
Of the two main branches Of the Pamunkey
river, and about twenty-five miles from Rich
mond. For the purposes of watching the Rap
pahannock and our forces on the peninsula at
the same time, and Of guarding his communica-
tions and for securing supplies no better posi-
ton could be selected From this point there
are two distinct railroad lines to Richmond, one
Of which, at the junction. branches Off west to
Gordonsville, Charlottesville, and to Staunton,
at the head of the Shenandoah valley, while the
other goes due north to Fredericksburg.
1t Is probable, therefore, that the warning of
General Stoneman's late cavalry raid, and the
danger to Richmond suggested by the presence
Of considerable Union force on the peninsula,
may induce General Lee to shift a large num-
Der Of his troops to the point indicated, in order
that they may be available against Union
advance from the Rappahannock or from
Yorktown. The latest rumors, however,
from the Rappahannock say that Lee is plant
ing guns at the United States and Banks fords,
from which It is inferred that he designs an
offensive movement. We are satisfied that bis
only object in this proceeding is to guard the
river against another crossing by our army.
Lees opportunity was Hooker's retreat and
when, with half or two-thirds of our forces on
this side of the flooded stream, the work was
still going on Of bringing the remainder over on
their two narrow pontoon bridges. A vigorous
push at that moment en- masse upon that portion
of our army ON the other side was the oppor-
tunity for Lee. In failing to seize it he con-
fessed himself too much exhausted to attempt
it. He was apprised Of the movement on Sun
day evening-it was not accomplished till
Wednesday-he did not interrupt it. II is
absurd, then, to suppose he has any idea of
attempting to cross the river himself in the face
OF our whole army.
We are informed, on the other hand, that
sit is quite certain that Gen. Hooker had or
dered portion of his'army to recross the Rap
pahannock some days ago, in accordance with
plan framed before he commenced his retreat,
but that the plan was not approved by
General Halleek, who therefore coun-
termanded it." Hence, we are further told,
the conflict in the late reports concerning the
recrossing Of the river by Hooker" This may
be true; for we think 1t altogether likely that
General Hookers failure had satisfied General
Halleck that his proposed advance would end
in another failure. In this connection we are
inclined to believe another of these late Wash
ington rumors, that at seems not unlikely that
General Halleck contemplates assuming the
command"
Now, although General Halleck's campaign
at Corlnth was not very brilliant success, he
crowded Beauregard out of his intrenchments
without knowing it, and compelled him to
leave. Should our General-n Chief do the same
thing for Lee, II will at least be an improve
ment upon the dashing advances of Burnside
and Hooker and their unfortunate results. Per-
haps under all the circumstances, the readiest
way for President Lincoln to settle the CON-
mand of the Army of the Potomac may be in
giving General Halleck trial. Two official
ly authenticated facts settle the question
against General Hooker-the fact that in all
his three days battles only about one-thrd of
his army was actually engaged, and the fact
that in returning over the river, Of which move-
ment the rebels were fully informed, he was
not interrupted. The first fact proves that his
capacities are not equal to the management of
so large an army as that which he commanded,
and the second that there was no necessity for
his retreat
We await the developments Of the day. The
Army of the Potomac in order to resume Of
fensive operations in complete condition, needs
little rest, some renforcements, something,
too, in the way Of reorganization and q new
leader. Unless the movements Of the rebels,
therefore, may require or invite speedy re.
sumption Of active hostilitics, we do not sup
pose that for some days or weeks to come this
army will be again put in motion. From its