The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-07-30

Transport, only to find the Potomac imI assible
ond their bridges destroyed. At the same time,
Gen. Meade's army passed through Frederick,
where they were reinforced by railroad from
Washington and Baltimore. On the same day the
rebel cavalry were fighting ut Mercersburg TO
cover their retreat. On Tuesday, the It'll, the
main body Of the rebels must have reached
Williamsport. On Wednesday, the 9Th, we hear
that the rebel infantry and artillery were drawn
up in line OF battle behind AntIetam creek. be-
tween Hagerstown and the Potomac. while their
ambulances and wagons were crossing the swollen
river in boats, and the Union army were pushing
on through rain and mud to attack them. On
Thursday, the 9th. by nightfall, or by the morn
ing OF the 10th, the Union army, reinforced by
Gems. Couch and Heintzelman's corps, must, we
think, have reached Williamsport, and If the
rebels had not get succeeded an crossing the river,
must have fought a pitched battle, which would
have been the coup de grace to Gen. Lees army,
if not 70 the rebellion. But it does seem more
probable that in three days. with destruction
threatening them in the rear, an American army
would have contrived some means Of crossing.
IF, however, they did not succeed, we may be
sure that Gen. Meade has taken u terrible venge-
ance for Balls Bluff.
But suppose them to have crossed, (Which is
more likely, they are still far from their base
of operations, and liable to have their commu-
nIcatlOns cut off at any moment. 1t is most
likely that in that case tine Union army would
cross at Harpers's Ferry to cut them off from the
onendnuOaH Nalley, WHere IledsinlOn : cavalry
would harass them, cut off stragglers end SUP
plies, and burn bridges before them. At the
same time Dix and Reyes with 20 or 80 600
men are at work destroying the railroads be-
tween Lee and Richmond, and ready to meet the
remnant of his army on its retreat.
Should the rebel army of Virginia be anEihi-
lated, the Southern Dictator will no doubt be
compelled ere long to evacuate Virginia and
North Carolina. In any event, Il staggering
blow has been dealt on the front of the Slave
Power, a blow that will carry dismay and cha
grin to the enemies Of liberty and progress
throughout the world. To-day the national
heart is beating higher than it has done since
that glorious week in February, 1862, which
closed with W~ashington's birthday. Not, we
believe, with vainglorious boasting, but with
heartfelt gratitude to the Supreme Ruler OF Ma
tons, will these great victories be celebrated.
For the nation has gained, by the fiery ordeal
through which it has passed, In moral elevation
and conscious power, as was shown by the com
p~arative calmless with which the news of Lees
invasion was received. While Lee was threat
ening Harrisburg and the issue was as yet unde-
cided, gold actually fell from l48 to 143. Their
confidence in the final result does not now de-
pend on the issue of a single battle or campaign.
We hope that these great successes will not
tempt the Federal Government To relax its en-
ergies, but that the CONSUMPTION law will
promptly be carried into effect, that 800 900
more men will be drafted, and the proposed
negro force he raised to 200 900. so that the
good work begun, may be carried through with
out cessation TO It's final triumph. Such a course
will be the truest economy. 1t will insure VIC
tory at home and inspire respect abroad.