The New York herald., 1863-07-18

Immediately tho conclusion OF this conference and
proceeded 20 Will msport where lie super intended the
withdrawal IN person. The movement lasted all night
and until ten O'Clock this morning During night In
formation was conveyed General Meade Of the enemy
doings lie immediately ordered reconnoxsance In
force to be made u early daylight each corps 10
notre It's own front. ana the whole army 10 be in read
ness 70 support tine reconnaissance. But the enemy
movei as usual TO- rapidly A. soon as the feconnois
sance started II ascertainei that the enemy had
abandoned hs position aud as our forces advanced 1
and discovered the deserted rifle pits and redoubts and
breastworks, constructed the most commanding
groond, aud he most extensive ana formidable scale, II
became apparent 10 ali that th,r movement truly
retrct TO tho south bank the river The discovery
was soonest maic the 10 OF cur lime which wing adj
vanced into Williams ort Tho rlt y lng moving from
Fsederk, TEL upn the rear guard Of the enemy, ard
were not 50 fully convinced OF the nature OF tho
movement, and therefore moved more cautiously.
They, however, kept mp vigorous shelng on the
backs OF the rebels, not without inlicng considerable
damage Accounts vary AZ 10 the result OF tho
ing could hiYo been more promptly discovered
than this movement by Meade, and no army
cold be more readily pat IN pursuit OF rctreatng TOO
than was he Array OF the Potomac after lee. Ocers OF
the lett wing report however, that captured only
handful OF sragges while those from tho right insist
that We have cut on and captured several thousand OF
the enemy
No orlcia reports have yet been received, and every
informant te's diterent story. The enemy IN his eva
cuaton TOOK pains 10 commit much destruction
sibe. Troops moved IN solid masses the fields
groaning with abundant crops trcadng down the yellow
proau aIos On acres OF corn FENCES evey
where were laid Hat Houses were ndiscrmiuatey plum
dercd and destroyed. and tn. casy furni
ture broken into fragments wantony. 1t seems
as " the rebels RESTRAINED IN their silly thirst for rctaa
tion for long time, ID suddenly bcoi lot loose with
carte barch To dewedac To their hearts content Hun.
dreds OF citizens, too on the line Their retreat
arrested ana carried away, but believe mostly
leased this morning at Wilapspor Every horse the
region abandoned by the rebels driven oil by thom
and no pay ments made oIored The position vacated
by the rebels was wondrOusy strong one by nature
nd 81 neub bpyo hall 10 he fell xarls
IL Is the strongest defensive position TINS whole
try airds, approachahlc from no direction except up
gentle slopes Thoroughly cleared and furnishing shelter
whatever 10 an attacking party. From the SUBMITS
non command the county for miles about. Directly
IN front and AT the foot OF tho slopes tho Marsh
creok, in the present state OF the water unordaDc To
attack such position would have cost the attacking
party terrible percentage " lie. thousands and tc
Of thousands would have fallen IN the struggle 10 dis
lodge the cuemv, and then with hs bridge he had per
feet retreat We might have sacrificed quarter o this
splendid army uf veterans, ard when tnai was accom-
plshed we would but have driven tho across the
river. In the position they led, and with tn iorce
had, II utterly hopeless that could a. more
than defeat tnem--drye them back. TO accom-.
pIsh tbs losses wouid have been ui.
nitely greater thu theirs. Therefor. white we
would have been victors we would really have been
the greater sufferers Tins view Of the he'd at
n general conncil Uf held Sunday night aud pre-.
vailed with much unanimty there being out three dis
sentug II for this wise TINT Meade
has not attacked though steadily pressed the enemy.
He has the satisfaction Of knowing that he has
driven the enemy the river ald saved tweaty
Thousand lives 10 tile country There to
gne that the campaign s now NJ ~ end do not tot K
so. believe General Meade viii yet grappe with lee
be0Fs he suffers his s nOWu aud rest and when
that grappie Il made those wh know the union leader
viii have fears tor the resg While ne has show
great ability and generashin IN battle ddrng this cam
pnign. e has also discovered qualities oi prudence and
also OF energy combined tha marx him as the great
d the day.