New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-16
The Eseapo Of Lee-Hew is was Effected
What he Lon Behind-A Council 81
War-Why no Attack was Made.

From Ous Special Ccrrtspopdsnt
WILLIAmspoRT, Nd, Tuesday noon, July IA.
You have been informed, by telegraph, Of the
time and manner Of Lees escape. The last six
six hours have demonstrated the fact that for the
Rebel army to recross the Potomac, intact since
Getysburg, il nothing ess than escape. 1t is now
papable that from that hour, Friday might Jnly 81,
when Lee began to fall back he has bent every energy
10 the one end VI placing the Potomac between bis
own army aud better one. He has not for . mo-
mept ceased 70 elude battles. lie dared not hazard
another. He has improved the first practicable
opportunity Of recro,sing the river which limit his
masters pseudo empire.
Always opposing TO our advancing columns heavy
guard, for the last five days be held each
parallel ridge a. though he would retreat no further
bat there, once for ALL accept battle But not 40.
Each succeeding morning be held another line. ap-
psrenily in better position and in more force than
before Half Of our army was led to believe that OF
all things he most desired battle. Officers high in
command reasoned that he could not afford to 90
back bleeding from defeat, but nervsd and sung by
disaster would risk everything in the "do or die"
Of another struggle.
And was 1t an unreasonable hope that, in posi.
ton Of his own choosing, his battered army lighting
with safety-ay, and Washington and peace hang
inQ upon the result-he had more than half the
chancesi The crafty Rebel leader did not think 30.
He remembered Gettysburg, and knew that 10 meet
the Army Of the Potomac again would be to meet 1t
at Phiippi. And 30 all those days We were closing
in upon him, lie chsfed and swore, because the loyal
Potomac remained bank full-because the pom
toon train sent from Richmond when tho first was
destroyed was long on the way.
Yesterday noon that train arrived at Falling Wa
ters. Yesterday morning the first wagon forded at
Wiliamsport Last ngbthe made the transit with bis
whole army, mainly at the former place, though
most Of bis cavalry, portion of his traiu and one
division of Ewels corps, forded at the latter place.
This division during yesterday was pressed hard
against on the enemys left, opposite our right at
Hagerstown. Unable to march TO Falling Waters
in season to escape, it was pushed into the water
here swollen torrent whose terrible current, run
ming to their clins, washed away several hundreds
who were too weak or short to stem it. Several
prisoners with whom l have talked, half-grown
boys and sick men, were permitted by their officers
to remain behind, since to attempt 10 cross was
death. Twenty-Five or thirty wagons, with horses
still attached, are stranded on bar hundred rods
below the ford.
Up TO this hour 500 pisoners have been taken on
the road from Hsgerstown here. Az many more
will be picked up in the vicinity during the cay.
understand brigade, probably not more than 600
strong, has been taken lear Falling Waters. The
entire number that will fall into our hands during
the day may be estimated at 2 500.
1t is possible few wagons have been taken on
the left. With the captured brigade are said to be
Two guns Except these trivial Losses the enemy
gets off unburt. H.........
understand that in the actual crossing he was
wholly unmolestsd that except by our cavalry, be
has been uteryjunmolested on bis retreat; that our
army was in admirable position yesterday within a
mile of the Rebels ostensible lDe-but did not
attack. .r
On Sunday night council Of corps commanders
and chiefs Of departments was held 9. headquarters
The question 70 bs decided was Shall The positioa