The New York herald., 1863-05-14

Their Cheefing Prospects.
From General Hsoker's congratuiatory order
to his army, we are assured that it retired from
the south side of the Rappahannock for reasons
(which could not be foreseen or prevented by
human sagacity," and that, "profoundly loyal
and conscious of its strength the Army Of the Po-
tomao will give or decline battle whenever its
interest or honor may demand.s From all our
other sources of information this testimony of
confirmed The general results of the late bat
Ties being greatly in its favor. it does not recog-
nize defeat; but, confident of Its capabilities to
crush the enemy in general engagement, 1t is
not only ready, but eager, for another advance.
That the rebel General Lee was only too happy
to get the Rappahannock again between him
and our army Is abundantly evident, from tho
suggestive fact that in tho difficult and danger
GUS work to General Hooker of recrossing the
flooded river "not rebel returned to follow"
and harass him.
A very important object has been achieved
by this late advance. We refer TO the brilliant
operations Of General Stoneman's cavalry, be-
tween the rebel army and its base of supplies,
to the very doors of the rebel capital. That
important city of the government, principal
army depots, cannon foundries, magazines, fac
tories and mills Of the rebellion, only escaped
a destructive raid from the ignorance of Gen.
Stoneman of the defenceless condition in which
the place had been left by Lee in order to
strengthen his army on the Rappahannock.
The lesson thus taught him (the rebel leader) is,
that hereafter he must provide for the security
of Richmond, whatever may be the necessities
of his army, if only two days march away; for
our command of the York river puts our forces
on the peninsula within an easy distance Of the
city. Thus we have at length, by the skilful
employment of an efficient body of cavalry,
improved upon the lessons of the enemy, and
have compelled them to maintain considers
BILE stationary force at Richmond toaguard
against the possible contingencies Of Yankee
surprise.
Various other incursions Of our cavalry into
Alabama, Georgia, and across and down
through the heart Of Mississippi, will still
further operate to weaken the main rebel
armies, by drafts upon them, or their reserves,
to protect their railway lines Of communication,
depots and stores Of provisions. For the pur-
pose of following up, on still larger scale,
those important diversions in the rear of the
enemy, the cavalry of every branch of our
armies should be Immediately and literally
strengthened. Twenty thousand enterprising
soldiers thus engaged may give employment to
hundred thousand Of the enemy, and with ten
thousand horsemen at Washington thirty thou
sand infantry may be spared from those fortif-
cations for active operations in the field.
We were speaking, however. Of the good con-
dition for active service. at moments warning,
of the Army of the Potomac, notwithstanding
its late severe campaign against the rebel army
and the elements. We can say the same of all
our other armies in active service, from
Fortress Monroe to the Georgia coast, from the
Potomac to the Mississippi, and thence to
the borders of Texas. The little army
of General Banks, in the difficult, half
submerged country of Western Louisiana,
has conquered fertile region in brief cam
paign which moro than doubly reimburses him
for all losses and expenses. That indefatiga-
BILE army Of General Grant, after achieving
miracles of labor in clearing away forests in
opening canals and bayous, in building army
roads across bottomless quagmires, in running
the gauntlet Of miles Of rebel batteries, has at
length boldly penetrated to the centre of Mis-
sissippi, in the rear of vicksburg on the west,
and Of Jackson on the east, and between the
two rebel armies occupying those cities. For
either or both Grant and his army are ready
for battle, and are not disposed to give General
Pembsrton longer indulgence in determining
whether he will play the game of Lee or the
game Of Beauregard-fght or retreat That
Grant and bis Western veterans will give a
good report Of their campaign there is no reason
to doubt. We hope soon to hear such intelli-
gence from him as will instantly move the Army
of the Potomac forward again.
AS for General Rosecrans and his heroes of
Murfreesboro, Corinth and Iu-k-a, we know
that, assailants or assailed, they may be relied
upon. Rosecrans is only waiting bis opportu.
nifty 80 long as Bragg's army is in his front he
can bide. his time; but . decisive blow in Mis-
sissippi will be the signal for blow in Tennes-
see. Thus the general view Of the field is en-
couraging. We bave made immense advances
in the Southwest, and our losses in the East are
confined to the brave soldiers cut down in their
recent battles; but even these losses are more
than counterbalanced by the losses Of the ene-
my. The decisive battles of the campaign are
yet to come; and, East and West, with even or
dinary generalship, all the elements Of success
are with us. The decisive turn Of the tide now
depends upon the army of General Grant, and
we hope that our next news from him will be
the bulletin Of decisive victory.
SLowNEss OF Our PRIZE CouRrs-G GRumLrNGs
FROM ABRoAD.-we see that the Marquis Of Clan.
ricardo has brought forward In the House of
Lords the grievances to which British owners