Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-06-29
Prom the Cincinnati Gazette,
THE SITUATION.

!
Prom the oincinnati Gazette,
THE SITUATION.
At no time since the breaking out ofItht
war has the military situation presented an
aspect of greater Importance than the pres
ent hour. 1t would seem, so far as human
4 vision eau penetrate the cloud of uncer-
tainty that separates the present from the
immediate future, that We are now in the
great crisis of the war, and that the events
| of the next few; weeks may decide the fate
of the, rebellion, We do notfer a moment
entertain the idea that if Lee should sue
ceed in his present undertaking, and cap
ture Washington, Baltimore or Philadel-
phia, that the success of the Southern
cause would be acknowledged. Far from
it. Such disaster would only serve to
arouse the slumbering energies of the
Northern people, and cause them to put
forth that strength which reverses that
will bring the war to our homes only can
| develop. As yet we have not used our
surplus means in contending against the
armed hosts who seek the destruction of
I the nation. When war is at our doors,
when our homes are desolated, when our
| fields shall be laid waste, and when the
current of business, aud the tide Of pros
perity shall be checked and broken up by
the uprising of the people in one united
column, and then shall the enemy be final
ly stricken down.
This is precisely the condition toward
which we are now, to all appearance, ap-
lProaching; and thus, by the movement of a
desperate enemy, are We being precipitat-
ed into the crisis of the war. We are, as
it would seem, upon the theFshold of
events, which will put the character and
the manhood of the Northern people to a
new test-eVents that will, if we are worthy
of a country, if we are deserving of a free
government, develop all the nobler quail.
ties of our nature; cause to be laid aside
all merely political questions, and Cousoli-
| date the people in defense Of our honor,
our homes, our nationRlities and our libet.
ties.' This is what would result from the
temporary success of the rebels, in their
Northern movement. But Lee should be
disastrously defeated, he could not escape
destruction. Upon his present movement
he risks everything. 1t is a critical move
| in desperate game. 4t
While the information we have in regard
to the situation is not sufficiently definite
or reliable to clear away the mystery that
has for Two weeks past enveloped it, eu-
ough is known to justify the conclusion
that the whole of Lees army is now mo-
wing north, and it is already, or soon will
be, north of the Potomac. in Maryland and
Pennsylvania. Whether it is his intention
to move against Harrisburg aud Philadel-
phfa, or to attempt the capture of Balti-
more or Washington, or both, is a ques-
tion that cannot=6e decided. That EWell's
cavalry force is moving in the direction of
Harrisburg, is fully aseertainedi but this
may be feint to cover other and deeper
schemes. 1t is not probable, if an imme-
/ mi
intended, that the cavalry would have
been sent so far in advance of the infantry;
and that Lee would have thus given ten
days notice of his designs. Had it beenthe
intention of the enemy to moveinto Penn
sylvania, as far even as Harrisburg, his
feints would have been In another direc-
ton. But whatever may be his intentions,
we cannot doubt that be means to fight
north of the Potomac, and that he means,
further, to make in that. feld@a very tdes-
i perate, if not final effort, to gaiu the in
4 Dependence OF the Southern Confederacy.
/ The rebels have become satisfied that they
4 cannot gain their independence by fighting
within the lines into which the, National
armies had driven them. The southwest
las been virtually lost to their causei and
with the fall of Yicksburg and Port Hud-
son, events which they plainly see are i'm
lost position in that section, or of even re-
tanning the ground they hold, would dis
appear. The triumph of Grant aud Banks
would be followed speedily by a victorious
movement on the part of Rosecrans; and
thus a wall of National bayonets would
Iseparate the Gulf States from Virginia,
ond render inevitable and speedy the
crushing of the rebellion. They
must therefore either concentrate
in the Gulf States, abandoning
Virginia, or virtually surrender the con-
test in the Southwest, aud strike for tie
North before our armies can be increased
by couscription. They have, it would
seem, chosen the latter alternative; and
while We are not prepared to receive as
authentic the report that Bragg has arrived
at Richmond with twenty thoussnd men,
it is not improbable that Bragg's army has
been weakened for the purpose ofprotect-
ing Richmond or strengthening Lee. This,
4 We. say, is not improbable, for it is mani
festly the interest of the rebels to give up
everything, rather than risk the defeat Of
Lee in the desperate game that is now be-
lug played iu the East. %
In regard TO the movements that are be-
ling made to meet the advancing columns
Eofq Lees army, we are not prepared Ia
speak; first because we are not reliably ad-
yised Of the arrangements; and secondly
because it would be imprddent to give such
information as We have. II may be said
however, that the rebels are no more ao.
tive than the National Governments; and
we know of NO reason to aPpreheud per.
manent triumph of the rebels in the field
Fthey have chosen for this new trial n
strength. O Theyfare now in the enemy'l
county; while We will fight surrounded
and backed byaOur friends: They are faI
from their base of supplies; while we ar,
near to ours Thus positions are reversed
} and the rebels will dnd that 1t is much NOR,
hazardoRs to Invade the loyal States