, 1863-05-02


We feel inclined 10 wait for further |
c-ents, rather than to comment on the ad-
vices elsewhere given from the army Of |
Gen. Hooker. These confirm the previous
dispatches, Which announced that the Rap
pa1annock had been successfully crossed
By Our army, commencing thus the fifth
grand movement on the rebel Capital.
Events will now throng rapidly, and the
Developments, as they transpirc, the pub
lie will breathlcssly await. Our dispatch
cs Of last night contain the rumor
that q battle had actually commenced,
in which $4,000 Union troops were Gu
gagged, led by General Hooker in person.
If not already begun, it cannot be long
delayed. The enemy are doubtless present
in powerful force, for their stake is Ger
tainly no lighter than on previous occa-
sions when their chief stronghold was
threatened. If the tales Of ycracious tugi-
tiyes of all colors have deceived any one
into the belief that the rebels were with
drawing their large army, which has been
for months rested over against our OWL Oh
the Rarplhannock, Gen. Hooker has not
been of tile number so strangely misled.
He expects to fight his way to Richmond,
and has started, prepared for such m un-
dcrtaking. How lie will succeed, events in
the immediate future will show.
One Thing he has done which gives fa-
yorablc augury Of success. He does not
advance without strengthening his right
flank, protecting the whole line Of the Rap
palannock to the Upper Fords aud base Of
the mountains, holding that avenue north
ward secure against rebel raids madotor pur-
noses Of attack, OF to create diversion.
Gen. Hooker is not disposed to allow side
issues Of this nature to interfere with Ills
progress. With splendid body Of cavalry,
an army in itself, he has barred the
access of the rebels to his rear.
Late adTiccs represent the rebel cavalry
threatening the passage Of the Upper Rap.
pahannock, and get they have been held
hitherto in complete check by these pre-
cautions, secured By the Federal comman'
der before his advance took place. And
the rebels know it, as the Richmond En-
quirer Of the 9Th has the following:
*'1he enemy have occupied the county Of Eau
quier in large force-n iR reported from 20 900 t.
;eO,ON They are said to have 5000 infantry All
sup cavalry. Their infantry camp was at last &C
counts On the Orange mud Alexandria Railroad, be
lo1 the Na1cnton Junction. and their cavalr
picket the Rappahannock. 1t is reported that
email force Of the enemy made dash up to " ssh
incton4 Rappahannock county, but that IL not Gel
tain Skirmiehing along the river WAS daily takin
place.
So completely is this region held by on
forces, that trains OF the Orange and Ale.
andria Railroad run to Rarpahannock St:
tion, or within twenty miles Of the lin
Of Gen. Pope's famous advance. Wit
this predatory work attended to, Ge'
Hooker has broken the dullncss Of wlntE
and mud-bound camps by ayailing Mn
self Of the first return Of good roads
commence his momentous task. BE occ'
pies position whose responsibilities q
peculiarly enhanced by the failures ar
ruisadycntures Of his predecessors. If
wins, the wrecks Of the bogus Confedera
will lie past mending. We will not CO
siIer the other alternative Of failure. Y
prefer 10 await with confidence the hap
result of c task never before SO auspiciou:
Icc1in