New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-07-07
THE PURSUIT,

| Gen. Ieades headquarters On Sunday were
at Creagerstown, Nd, twenty milos south Of
Gettysburg, and yesterday were at Frederick.
We infer that to-day they will reach Harper's
Ferry or Point of Rocks, unless it should prove
that the Potomac is really impossible at the
fords, and that all Lees pontoons have been
destroyed; in which event Gen. Meade may
force at once, if Gen. French does not already
hold, some one of the South Mountain passes,
and compel the immediate surrender Of
the remnant of Gen. Lees exhausted
forces. 1t seems clear that the
Rebel line Of retreat was not by way Of CASH
town to Chambersburg, but on the Fairfield
road, through Waynesburg, direct to Hagers-
town, in expectation to cross at Williamsport
and the fords and bridges below. There are
positions of great strength in the South Noun
tain ranges, Turner's, FOx's and Champions
Gaps being probably the strongest, but they
were successfully turned when occupied before
by the slowly retreatng and then victorious
army of Lee. What chance has he to hold
all Of them now with his beaten and shattered
forces Yet the loss of one is fatal, if the
river bars bis way.
If then the loyal Potomac has risen against
the Rebel retreat, Gen. Meade has plain
path, and will unquestionaby cross the noun
tains at once. If not, there are two and per-
haps three roads on which he may advance to
victory. Before looking at either, tho appa.
rent general purpose Of the present movement
needs to be stated.
After tho victories at Gettysburg, aud upon
the retreat Of Gen. Lee, which began early
on Saturday morning, the obvious and easy
course Of Gen. Meade was to pursue the
enemy. But what would have been the result 2
Supposing the Potomac passable. and that
Lees army had not wholly abandoned its or
ganization, it was possible for that commander,
by obstinately fighting, and perhaps finally
sacrificing his rear-guard, to make good his
retreat across that river. Moreover, if Meade
threw his whole force in pursuit, and the
Potomac could be passed, Lee might have
issued with his army through the South
Mountains, and marched straight upon Harper
Ferry, Point of Rocks, or the lower fords
crossing at either, according to circumstances
though an abandonment of the Shenandoah line
would certainly be his last resort But IL
either way escape was possible, and Gen
Meade does not mean that the Rebel army
shall escape. Resisting, therefore, the impulse
to pursue directly, the sagacious commander O.
the national forces has marched for Frederick
following . line not widely divergent from thai
Of .es's retreat, but which immlnently threat
ems to cut of that retrent, by reaching and
holding some point in the Shenandoah in ad
vance of Lees arrival. Gen. Meade may cross
tho Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and ding hi'
arm directly across the path to Winchester
or DO may cross at Point Of Rocks
Tor even ct Edwards Ferry, movinl
then co BY way Of Leesburg and either o
THE Blue Ridge gaps and 20 enterinI
the Shenandoah at some point 90 far below o
to make It certain that his impatient column
shall have outstripped the flight Of tho Rebe
forces, and offer them the alternative OF de
)struction or surrender. Meanwhile, the posi-