The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-08-01
The Great Question OF tho Oay-The
Rebel Army or Virginia.


Rebel Army OF Virginia.
From certain hints thrown out by one or
two Of the Washington journals we are inclined
to suspect that it is not the purpose Of the ad-
ministration to pursue the army Of General
Lee any farther for the present, but to bring
| the army Of General Meade to . dead halt on
the Rappahannock for several weeks, If aot for
several months, to come.
For the last day or two we have heard az
little of either of these two great armies as OF
the petty border war between the whites and
Indians Of Minnesota. Our correspondents at
tached to the Army Of the Potomac, each with
\ is finger upon his mouth, whispers that IL is
CO ntraband to indicate the points or places
NON occupied by our advancing columns; bat
we aae kept by these gentlemen equally in the
dark al to the whereabouts Of the refreating
howeverN in congratulatory tone, announces
to the would that the whole army Of General
Lee is out Of the Shenandoah valley and was
some days ago below the Rappahannock,
in the nelghborhood of Culpepper Court
House. Our army il, perhaps, not more
tthan days march behind the rebel rear
lguard, and has not yet given up thschase. We
shall not be surprised, however, if within day
ur two we learn that the enemy in force are yet
vince more on the heights Of fredericksburg,
and that the Army of the Potomac has squatted
again at its old pestilential encanpnent Of
Falmouth.
But General Meade has surely had the oppor-
tunity and we hope he has not lost it, Of occu-
.pyizg himself the heights Of Fredericksburg;
securing this position, he compek General Lee
ito fight or to move on. If IL shall appear that
the enemy In this matter he's again stolen .
march upon us, we may reasonably conclude
that the old story OF call Is quiet on the Rap
pahannockv is to be resumed, and via be con-
tinued at least till the first FROST unless in the
meantime General Lee shall again talks the
/. initiative and put our troops in motion
Amy such mastery inactivity" as this the
| country at the present time can contemplate
with no more amiable feelings than those Of dis
app ointment and disgust Time Is sow more
valuable to Lee than anything else. Give him
little time, and all the damages suffered by
| his army IN his late Improbable campaign will
be repared-all the gaps made In II
ranks will be filed up and We has'
reason to fear that not only will alb this be &C
complished within few weeks, but that befor'
tho expiration OF two months, If let alone, Re-
will have his army strengthened from Bragg
from Johnston and 'rom the sweeping and por
emptory rebel conscription to the extent Q
City or sixty thousand men.
And what them Nothing more nor lass tina
another campaign against Washington, and
much more energetic, Formidable and danger
GUS one than the last. The only hope, the onl
possible chance left TO tho rebellion for a
equivalent and a recovery from all Ia late dis
asters lies In o campaign against Washington
Nothing else will now avail to turn the tide |
favor Of Southern confedcracy; but If lie
oan repeat his old game Of the peninsala-tt
. game Of gathering in his hands m overwheln
Q inc army while our opposing General Is waitin
for reirforccments--we may we'll fear that Il
j, NEXT thing will be a repetition by Gener
Moade Of General McClellan's terrible strugK
: in front OF Richmond for the salvation Of /
J. army.
u Wa cannot believe that the reb
Q oh,efs NJ Richmond will hesitate to aband
r. for the time being Alabama, Georg
y Tennessee and North Carolina to the Il
~ tunes Of war, IL by doing this Lees army O
or be so strengthened a. TO render II morally Q,