Washington telegraph., 1863-07-29
FROM LEES ARMY.-Our last issue

contained some meagre telegraphic des-
patches Of Vi ctory obtained By Lee over
Meade's force 3. The battle occurred at
Gettysburg, z eunsylvania. There remains
no doubt that 1t was, upon our side, de-
cided victory--that the army of Meade
was terribly cut up, and that We took a
very large number of prisoners. Lee
seems to have fallen back afterwards to-
wards the Potomac, and the subsequent
events are somewhat uncertain. His re-
trogrado movement argues nothing against
him, as it cannot be supposed that he in-
tended permanent occupation of the
country Il il brilliant campai sn, and
bids fair toaccc,mplish all thatwas intended
The country is full Of the most cheering
rumors Of his capture of Washington and
even Philadelphia. They may be par
tally true, but we warn our readers against
too ready credeuce or premature exultation.
The following is from Northern sources:
Washington, July 10.--The situation
on the upper Potomac is as follows: Lee
has taken position 10 short line, describ.
ing seml-circle, stretching from Wiz
Transport TO the river again, where hf
accepts or gives battle. He has succeed,
ed 10 getting across a portion of his forces,
TO hold the forts on the river, on the Nir.
ginia side.
The Chicago Times Of the 10th inst,
contains the following:
Lincoln has ordered draft Of three
hundred Thousand more men, with MY
per cent. added to meet Deficiencies Oh
account Of exemptions, etc. This does
rot innk as if Lees army was "destroyec,
demolished, or 'routed."
The Philadelphia Press estimates repei
los since crossing the Potcmac at thirty
thousand, and fifty caunon. The Times
saws this j. great exaggeration there
we're no cannon taken on either side
The Times estimates the Federal loss In
killed and wounded from fifteen thousand
to seventeen thousand.
The same paper of the llth. comment
ing on the situation, says:
Matters begin 10 assume 4 more decided
shape il Maryland. and the prospects OF
another great battle are imminent. As
we have maintained from the first. Lee
will fight again before he crosses the Po-
tomac. As we have maintained, and as
tie country j. beginning, with its sober
second thought & believe, he was neither
routed nor anDimlated, but simply with
drew III perfect order from his assault
upun position which he found too strong
for him With ample time to accomplish
bis Withdrawal and to select another posi-
tion, he has fully accomplished both OF
those movements; securing at the same
time an asylum for his wounded and his
wagon trains on the other side Of the Po-
tomac; and thus unincumbercd, he awaits
the ASSAULT Of our forces. liz is as well 10
understand aud appreciate these facts a
70 give way 20 excitement and base ex-
travagaut hopes upon fouudstionless ~.
mors. We believe 10 ex ltation over sue.
cess, but not 10 sclt deception.
Lee is evidently the man for au emer-
geLcy, and the present one lie has delib.
erately brought uron himself. He could
have crossed the Potomac while Meade
made the circuitous route through Fred
erick, had he chosen to do so, and having
thus courtei the emergency, he will the
more firmly meet it Perhaps, like the
Spanish invader, who burned his ships on
the coast of America, that his army might
see all hope vanish behind them, and look
to victory for rescue, he has thrown away
the chance Of escape and forced destruc-
tion upon his men. lie is playing for a
large stake, which was by no means lost
On the issue Of one conflict. Washington
is ~ as much danger now as before the
last battle, and will be until the rebel army
l. 50 far crippled as 70 render return 10
lis soil necessary. If he discomfts Meade
in the coming battle, it will be his turu
to assume the offensive, and perhaps to
again penetrate Pennsylvania.
Frederick, July Il. = KIpatrick's cav
airy look possession o. Funkstown and
Ha.erstown at 8 o'clock this morning.
The enemy evacuated during the light,
rctrcating towards WilliImsport.
1T 4 o'clock this afternoon the rebels
we're entrenched two miles from Hagers-
town on the Williamsport road.
Lees army has not all crossed the river
yet. \ fight is expected Tomorrow. The
troops are in good spirits and anxious for
the fray.
Baltimore, July 18th, ) z. Mp to
this hour we have heard of no fighting.
Messengers from Meade's headquarters
las. night represent no change in the
position of the contending armies.
Lee is still entrenching himself between
Hagerstown and Williamsport, evidently
awaiting Meade to attack him. Lee will
not commence the attack as will appear
fr IN the ground he has chosen.
Frederick, July 12.-The rebel trains
are consolidating at Williamsport and
fords above Lee is evidently massing his
troops for a desperate struggle.
Washington, July 12.-Advices from
the upper Potomac have not been received
here tonight at later hour than o'c clock
this morning. The enemy's new position
which was assumed Friday, is found to
run from point on the Potomac called
Fvreman's Ferry into the Antietam valley
to Hagerstown, the rebel headquarters be-
ing at that place. The rebel line is there
fore shortened, but apparently is much
stronger than if it reached 10 Shippens.