The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-22
The Rebel Invasion.

1t is by no means easy to learn, from all the
news yet sent North, what is the precise position
of the Federal and Rebel armies in the vicinity OF
the Potomac, or what will be the probable move
ments of these opposing forces in the campaign
which seems now just commenced. 1t is certain
that rebel cavalryrnen have been pluudering the
lower towns in Pennsylvania, and that some force
of infantry has reached the Potomac and probably
crossed into Maryland. 1t is also tolerably GER
tain thatths cavalry has, had everything its own way
in those towns which it has visited, though we
trust soon to hear that its depredations have been
seriously interered with.-And the success of this
invasion Of loyal States has thus far been disa-
greeably humiating to the military forecast and
preparation of somebody. AT present there seems
to be very general criticism of Gen. Milroy's
conduct, who, with 10000 or Is 900 men, spiked
his guns and abandoned, after short fight, the
strongly fortified position of Winchester, when he
was attacked by hardly superior force Of rebels.
Certainly his conduct now seems disgraceful and
cowardly, though he may be able to make it ap-
pear in better light hereafter. What General
Hooker is about is not very clearly made known,
though we judge he is marching his forces to keep
between Gen. Lee and Washington, and take ad
vantage of any opportunity the rebels may give
him to attack them. Up to this writing however,
there seems to have been no general engagement
Lees army apparently contenting itself with oc-
cupying the Shenandoah Valley and securing the
plumber which rebel cavalry are picking up in
Maryland and Pennsylvania. New York, New
Jersey and Pennsy lyania troops are collecting in
such numbers in Pennsylvania and Maryland
that it does not now seem probable that the rebel
demonstration will extend any farther north; but
the rebels will no doubt hold their position along
the Potomac and in Maryland, as base for cav.
airy raids, until they are d.lodged by some force
and possibly before that time a general battle
will be fought.
We hoped at the first news of the rebel inva-
sion of Pennsylvania, that Lee would again push
his whole army across the Potomac and try
another campaign in Maryland, but he does act
yet seem to pat himself in that exposed position,
and it is tolerably certain now that he will not
while Hooker threatens his communications. If
be could defeat Hooker as be did Pope last sum-
mer be might again try invasion, but unless he
can he will be slow to move so far north as Mary
land with bis entire force. He may, however,
succeed in doing great deal OF damage in Mary
land and Pennsylvania, and gather the harvest in
the Shenandoah valley without any very serious
interference from Hooker's army or any other, as
the mountains east of the valley protect him from
Hooker, and the Government will hardly be able
to get force together, sufficient, independent of
Hooker, to drive him out of the fertile region Of
the Shenandoah.
We now hope that this, thus far, entirely sue
cessful rebel demonstration, will teach the neces-
sity ofsome different military strategy in front of
Washington than anywe have hitherto had. 1t
is very clear that there is fault somewhere.
Either we haven't troops enough, or those we
have are not properly managed. We don't pre-
tend to say sohere the trouble is, but Judging from
results it is toleraby plain that there is trouble
Somewhere. And il these rebel raids teach the
people and the Government where the trouble is
they will not on the whole, be improbable to U.s.
although they cost us much loss OF property, and
much mort fcation and shame.
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| K. For the Freeman,
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