The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-16
Letter from the National Capital.

afoat this morning respecting the movements
in Virginia. 1t is apprehended first that in
view of the late reduction of Meade's force,
Lee will be or has been rapidly reinforced
and will endeavor to bring on decisive battle.
If he does, he will probably have the advantage
OF numbers, while his antagonist will have the
choice of position and fight another defensive
battle like that at Gettysburg. Secondly, it is
thought that the rebel general, still adhering to
the policy of invasion defended in his recently
published report of the summer campaign,
will once more leave the Army Of the Poto-
mac i'm his rear and pour his legions into
Maryland and Pennsylvania. Twice he has
escaped, after thus tempting fate. He may make
the desperate venture again, but donot believe
1t. The third suppostion is, that he is simply
electioneering for his friends in Ohio and
Pennsylvania; and no doubt they will have
tons as could be made in the brief time he
has given them.
1t was delicate matter so to time his adj
vance as to sensibly affect to-day's elections,
without running the risk of defeating his own
purpose by suffering premature check. His
movement was disclosed Friday night. During
Saturday and Sunday the Army OF the Poto-
mac fell back under orders to the Rappahan-
mock, the enemy following closely. There was
good deal of heavy skirmishing both days.
but nothing which could be called battle.
A mistake seems to have been made when Lee
first left his Notifications on our left. Gen.
Buford, taking this evacuation for retreat,
crossed the Rapidan Saturday morning at
under fire and to cut his way through body
of rebel cavalry which had crossed above and
interrupted his communications. During the
rest of the day and Sunday, the army retired
lesurely with all its stores and every wagon to
its new line Monday morning our infantry oc-
cupied the earthworks on both sides of the
river at Rappahannock Station. The army 10
in fine condition-never better, I have been
repeatedly assured by soldiers just from the
front.
These maneuvres and the New York Worlds
opportune, but baseless report Of a National
reverse in Louisiana have been the chief re-
lance of the Copperheads in Pennsylvania
and Ohio for the last two days. They had
failed to fasten the stigma of defeat upon the
the results of Rosecran's operations, and they
seized desperately upon these straws Of hope.
Over and over again has it been proved, that
the pseudo-Democracy of the North thrives
by our military disasters and withers in the
sunshine Of our success; that its fortunes are
inseparably linked with those Of the rebellion
and l have been thus minute In the recapitu-
lation Of these Virginia man9uvers simply to
show in this hundredth instance, how ready
the partisans of Vallandigham are to dis
tort and persert the simplest military move
ments into present or impending defeat.
Lying will not save them. Before this let
ter reaches you, the news Of immense MAORI
ties for Curtin and Brough will have treasured
the doubtful and lent new strength even to the
most hopeful patriots. Pennsylvania is more
than sure. Ohio will discard Vallandigham
by the home vote, and her soldiers will re-
member the man who thanked God he had
never supported the war In which they are
engaged, and consistently opposed every ap-
preparation for bounties, or even for the pay
ment Of their bare stipend. They will remem-
Der him. l went down to preliminary meet
ing of Ohio soldiers at the Armory Square
Hospital last evening. The long ward was
crowded with brave fellows. who had suffered
sickness, wounds, everything but death, for
the Republic. They were unanimous in their
expression Of detestation for those counsels
which would make their sacrifices useless. On
the way down, l overlook blue-coated Ohio
man. "Will Vallandigham be elected to-mor-
row? ?" asked.
81 hope not. If he is he wont live year."
"Do You think SO? Why not?"
'Id kill him If it cost me my life We're
not going to have traitors In the rear"
This was said quietly and without passion,
but with an air of the most firmly settled de-
termination. 1t is with good reason that the
Pennsylvania disunionists have refused to al
low their soldiers to vote. The army believes
in the Union it fights for.
The Capitol and Treasury extensions are
olii III PAOSicSSf vi hSAo uhth sCstcluay, Wucu
a large number of workmen on the Treasury
went on strike for Navy Yard time, from
seven in the morning TO quarter of an hour
before sunset, instead Of the ten-hour system.
Crawford's statuary has been raised TO its place
over the fine portico of the Senate wing Of the
Capitol. The workmen have now entered
upon the dangerous task of erecting the stag
ing over the great central dome, to raise the
statue of Liberty tc its proper position. 1t is
cold work up there, at an elevation Of three
hundred feet, these chilly October mornings,
and Capt. West, the disbursing agent, has
done wisely in increasing the wages of the
men.
Count Gurowski's trial for libel was most
amusingly mismanaged. 1t commenced last
Friday and was concluded the next day. The
prosecuting witness, Mr.. Hunter, Chief Clerk
of the State Department, accused the Count of
publishing, in his famous DIARY" language
intended to cast doubt upon the witnesses of
fetal integrity. In fact, Gurowski does quite
plainly hint that Mr.. Hunter obligingly sent
Information of the policy of the Government
respecting the blockade to Lord Lyons, before
the proclamation was issued. The prosecution
failed, however, to connect the Count with his
book by any legal evidence, and as the defense
would not consent to further postponement