The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-06-22
The Theatre OF War I'm virginia-The
Latest Movements.

Latest Movements.
The scene has been continually shifting for the
last few days on the theatre of war on either side
of the Potomac. But the tendency is northward.
The Confederate strength is hourly accumu-
lating on the Upper Potomac In the same region
where Lee and Mcclellan contended in deadly
conflict last September. What Lee Il capable
Of all know; but after the failure Of Hooker at
Charlottesville, and his now permitting Lee
to deliberately outfank him, the country can
not but feel the deepest anxiety for the result.
Were Mcclellan at the head Of the Army OF the
Potomac there would be little room for doubt
or fear. AZ 1t is, the fate OF the capital and Of
the nation trembles in the balance. 4gyq
Our telegraphic despatch from Harrisburg
throws some light upon the movements of Lee
It appears that On Saturday evening Jenkins
with his mounted infantry. passed through
Greencastle, in the direction of Waynesboro,
which suggests Gettysburg and the Northern
Central Railroad as the destination, or circuit
around by Fayetteville to the rear Of the two
New York regiments sent to Scotland and Ship
pensbufg to drive the rebels from that part Of
the State. The troops of Jenkins had ambu-
lances and three or four days. rations with
them, and that looks like fighting. But II his
object be to cut the Northern Central and the
Wilmington and Baltimore roads. and If he
should be successful, then it is anticipated that
the column at Hagerstown and the large force
at Sharpsburg may move across to Frederick
and join Lee, crossing at the lower fords of the
Potomac, SO that thus united the whole rebel
army may assail Washington in the rear, OF
perhaps march on Baltimore, so as to draw
out Hooker for its defence. Indeed from O
later despatch, we learn that Frederick is
already occupied by a rebel force. 1t seems
that in official circles at Harrisburg fears
are entertained for the Monumental City, and
that the rebel movements do threaten II
There can be no doubt that Lee is massing his
troops on the Upper Potomac. Our Harrisburg
despatch says he has 20 900 at Wiliamsport, and
one of our letters from Harpers Ferry states
that he has $4,000 concentrated at Sharpsburl
under Ewell; while another despatch states
that there are 10000 rebels between Hagcrs
town and Williamsport; and we further learn
that Confederate troops are in possession o
South Mountain, Antietam, Sharpsburg and Ere
derrick.
Whether these movements of Lee are de
signed merely to capture the Union force occu
plying Maryland Heights, opposite Harper
Ferry, as similar operations last fall In tn
same localities were successful In bagging tn
whole federal force both at Harper's Ferr,
and ON Maryland Heights, or whether II Is ,
bona Jfde movement on Baltimore or feint OF
that city. In order to induce Hooker to move \
liz protection and 10 fight at distance from th
Notifications Of Washington, or whether Lee
expects to reach the national capital on tn
northern side with the greater part Of his army
and capture Il By . coup, stormins some Q
tho fortincations before Hooker can arriv
In force, II 10 difAcult to determine. Lee Ia to,
good q general not 10 leave In doubt his plsr
n he has any, until Il 10 too late to Illustrate hi
object by anticipating him.
But u is very possible that Lee has no Axe
plan, and that he is waiting to see whethe
Hooker will make false move, In order Chs
10 may. by rapid movement Of bis pieces o
thc chc.sboerd, pounce upon him and give hi
chockmatc. II Hooker will not give him M
ohancc. but hug tho Notifications Of washing
ton. then i.co will probably be content TO llv
for the balance % tho summer upon Southcr
AID Mostrtu i'cnnsYlvsui, nd dominate owe
, tie shei. u yas,,r. " ..'a-a'Isu,o tho us.,