The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-21
The Campaign In Virginfa-Movem nae n t.
and Probn bic DesiRns Of tho Rebels.

The Campaign In Vfrginfa-Movemc n g
ami Probable Designs Of tho Rebels.
There has been an ominous silence for some
days past, a mysterious suspension OF our
accustomed reports from the Rappahannock,
which has wrought up the public mind into
feverish anticipation OF news of great and mo-
mentous events in that quarter. That General
Burnside is in notion and that we shall soon
have the report of important changes on the
military cbessboard Of old Virginia, we have
no doubt; but meantime, while we shall not
attempt to conjecture the present disposition Of
his forces, we may advantageously discuss the
reported movements and probable designs Of
the rebels. But we can say that the news from
the Army Of tho Potomac received in Washing
ton yesterday produced good deal Of excite
ment.
The defeat Of General Bragg at Murreesboro,
the accredited reports at Richmond OF the adj
vance Of Union land and naval force towards
Wilmington, n. c., and the late successful
Union raid of Major Hall and Captain Parker
from Yorktown, up the York and Pamunkey
rivers, to within twenty-five miles of the rebel
capital, appear to have precipitated to great
extent the dissolution and dispersion of the
defiant rebel army, which but the other day
was stretched for thirty miles along the south
bank Of the Rappahannock. The apparently
trustworthy reports which we have received of
the heavy de;achments detailed from that army
for immediate service in other quarters are
very suggestive, and we hope have not escaped
careful and sagacious consideration by the
military authorities At Washington.
Immediately upon the heels Of Bragg's re-
pulse and retreat from Murfreesboro we hear
that Gen. Longstreet, with fifteen rebel brigades
from the Rappahannock has arrived at Chatta.
nooga, and that Longstreet, with these heavy
achievements, has gone out TO take the COM
mand OF Bragg;s army. 1t would thus appear
that Longstrect and his fifteen brgades, more
or less, were despatched from Virginia before
the defeat Of Bragg, and that but for the cutting
Of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad
by that daring Union cavalry expedition I'm
der General Carter from Kentucky, Longstrcct
might have effected junction with Bragg in
season to defeat Gen. Rosccrans and to capture
Nashville. Gen. Rosecrans attributes his sue
cess, in great degree, TO the brilliant inter-
vention Of Gen. Carter. That Nashville is the
present design Of Lonssirect we may rest as
sured: aud, with Gen. Rosecrans thus menaced
by rebel force Of fifty thousand veterans in
front, with numerous squads of rebel guerillas
In his rear, his position II not dangerous one.
becomes sufficiently delicate to suggest libe-
raj reinforcement of his army and as rapidly as
possible.
In the next place. the reports from Rich
mond Of federal overland expedition in mo-
ton against Wilmington are quickly succeeded
by reports Of heavy reiniorcomsnts from Rich.
mond TO the rebel force in North Carolina.
This intelligence should admonsh the govern
ment. IL the bulk Of our troops lately at New
horn. have been Withdrawn from that locality.
10 retain al least suuboat or two 10 protect
our army stores there against . rebel surprise