Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-06-23
The Rebel Invasion.

II Is by no means easy TO learn, from oil the
news yet sent North, what Is the precise position
Of the Federal and Rebel armies in the vicinity Of
81 the Potomac, or what will be the probable move.
ments Of these opposing forces in the campaign
which seems now Just commenced. 1t Is certain
that rebel cavalrymen have been pluudering the
lower towns in Pennsylvania, aud that some force
Of infantry has reached the Potomac and probably
crossed into Maryland. 1t is also tolerably GER
tain thatthis cavalry has had everything It's own way
10 those towns which il has visited, though we
trust soon to hear that ts depredations have been
seriously interfered with-And the success Of this
invasion Of loyal States has thus far been disa-
greeably humiliating to the military forecast and
preparation Of somebody. At present there seems
to be very general criticism Of Gen. Mroy's
conduct who, with 10000 or Is 600 men, spiked
his guns and abandoned after short fight, the
strongly fortified position Of Winchester, when he
was attacked bya hardly superior force Of rebels.
Certainly his conduct now seems dsgraceiu and
cowardly, though he may be able to make 1t ap-
pear in better light hereafter. What General
Hooker is about is not very clearly made known,
though we judge he is marching bis forces TO keep
between Gen. Lee and Washington, and take ad.
vantage Of any opportunity the rebels may give
him to attack them. Up TO this writing, however,
there seems to have been no general engagement
Lees army apparently contenting itself with oc'
cupying the Shenandoah Valley and securing the
plumber which rebel cavalry are picking up in
Maryland and Pennsylvania New York, New
Jersey and Pennsy vania troops are collecting IN
such numbers in Pennsylvania and Mary
that it does not now seem probable that the rebe
demonstration will extend any farther north; bul
the rebels will no doubt hold their position along
the Potomac and in Maryland, as a base for cav
airy raids, until they are d lodged by some force
and possibly before that time general battle
will be fought.
We hoped at the first news OF the rebel invs-
sion Of Pennsylvania, that Lee would again push
his whole army across the Potomac and try
another campaign in Maryland, but he does aol
yet seem to PIT himself in that exposed position,
and it is tolerably certain now that he will not
while Hooker threatens bis communications. II
be could defeat Hooker as be did Pope last sum
mer be might again try invasion, but unless he
can be viii lbe slow to move 80 far north as Mary.
land with bis entire force. lie may, however
succeed In doing great deal Of damage in Mary
land and Pennsylvania, and gather the harvest in
the Shenandoah valley without any very seriouI
interference from Hookers army or any other, a,
the mountains east Of the valley protect him from
Hooker, and the Government will hardly DO able
to get force together, sufficient, independent o
Hooker, to drive him out Of the fertile region o
the Shenandoah.
We now hope that this, thus far, entirely sue
eessful rebel demonstration, will teach the neces
sity ofsome different military strategy front o
Washington than any we have hitherto bad.
10 very clear that there s fault somewhere
Either we haven't troops enough, or those "
have are not properly managed. We don't pr,
tend to say ,Ohsr the trouble is, but judging fror
results i, is tolerably plain that there is ,roubl
some,oher. Aud Il these rebel raids teach III
people and the Government iphere the trouble
they will not, on the whole, be Improbable to u
although they cost us much loss Of property, 40
much modification end shame.