The New York herald., 1863-05-07

The Tremendous Struggle ON the Rappa-
hannock-Onr Latsst News Favorable
and Encouragfng. fl,si ..i a,t.af
Long live the Union! The news of Monday q
warlike operations on the Rappahannock, re-
ceivcd in this city yesterday, has lifted a heavy
weight of anxiety from the public mind. Our
heroic Army of the Potomac is still intact, and
In strong position for offensive or defensive
purposes-a. position which its fearless and
active commander appears to entertain no
thought Of abandoning except to advance.
In order that our readers may fully under
stand the general situation Of affairs, we give
this morning several illustrated maps and tho
interesting detailed reports from our special cor
respondents on the field Of the military opera
tons around them since Friday morning last,
and the results down to Tuesday morning. 1t
will thus be seen that General Hooker's posi-
tion remains substantially the same as at the
beginning. We esteem it, too matter OF con-
graduation that the detached army corps of
General Sedgwick, OH the Heigh's of Fredcr-
icksburg, hemmed in between two overwheln,-
ing divisions of the rebel army was successful
in cutting its way out, and in recrcssing the
river on its pontoon bridges under the enemy's
i fire. 1t seems almost miracle that in this dar-
ing and difficult enterprise the corps was rot
captured en- masse or utterly destroyed 1t was,
no doubt materially assis ed by Gen. Hooker's
attack upon the right on Monday afternoon,
which, for the purpose OF feeling and disarrang-
ing the movements of the enemy, was bril-
liant success. e.ia strstt. I
The reoccupation Of tie Heights OF Frcde-
ricksburg by the rebels is no serious loss to us.
General Hooker's base oc operations and
his depots Of supplies are on this side Of
the river, and are properly protected. The OBJ
ject Of Lee and Jackson in their attack upon
the heights was not the recovery of those in
| trenchments, which have ceased to be of any
value to them, but the capture or destruction
Of detached body of some twelve or fifteen
thousand Union troops, with their small arms,
| equipments and artillery. Failing in this
object, the .recapture OF their old defensive
position is barren victory to the enemy, and
very dearly purchased, while the brilliant
movement Of Sedgwick from Fredericksburg
greatly strengthens Gen. Hookers operations.
The formidable rebel attack upon General
| Hooker's flank on Saturday last was but
repetition Of Jackson's overwhelming descent
| upon General McClcllan's right at Gaines
! Mills, and it is fearful to think how narrowly
Hooker escaped greater disaster than that Of
Mcclellan. Having escaped it, and recovered
from it, and having concentrated his army in
strong position, with each flank resting upon the
| river, we expect that, should the rebels attempt
again their rash experiment of Malvern Hill,
they will meet with the same terrible repulse.
In the loss Of Monday, however, it is most pro-
| bable that the rebels will conclude they have
lost their opportunity, and will wait again for
| General Hooker to take the initiative. We do
not suppose they will be required to wait long,
as stout'old Heintzelman, with thirty thousand
men from Washington, is reported en- roeae to
the Kappa hammock.
But still the question recurs: What has be-
come of General Stoneman and his powerful
column of cavalry, which was the most warlike
and imposing feature of President Lincoln's
lato review Of the Potomac army? From the
reinforcements which have joined Lee, includ-
ing Longstreet's column from Suffolk, it would
appear that Gen. Stoneman has failed to destroy
|
the cutting Of which General Hooker so strongly
relied TO detach the enemy in his front from his
reinforcements and supplies, in time to fully
accomplish this purpose. What has become
of General Stoneman? His cavalry force was
too strong to be resisted by all the cavalry Of
Lee combined; and Stuart, with his column, is
lowering about the Rappabannock. Let us only
hear that Stoneman and his cavalry have re-
turned, or that they have accomplished the
work assigned them and we shall at once be
relieved of every doubt as to the issue of this
Virginia campaign. There are Indications.
however, that Stoneman has succeeded in his
main object; and we shall therefore hope to
soon hear of important results around Rich
mond, growing out of this success and Of other
movements in contemplation.
The heavy rains Of TIE last two days have
doubtless extended to the Rappahannock. rem
dering meantime any aggressive movements on
either side, except by cavalry, impracticable, II
not impossible. This will be an advantage to
Cen Hooker in his present situation; whereas,
IL he were only twenty miles further south
ward. these rains and the impossible roads of
mud which they will produce might prove as
embarrassing as a rebel army in his rear. We
believe that our army, in completely recover
ing from the shock of Jackson's tremendous
flank attack Of Saturday. passed the extreme
point of danger, and that it is now secure
against all contingencies till ready again to
advance.
Finally, we are gratified to hear that the ad.
ministration has at length made the important
discovery that the surcst way to protect Wash
ington is to strengthen the Army of the Poto-
mac; and he will be trifiing with the patience
Of the people to dangerous extent should