The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-18
THE SITUATIO

F1oaS the Tribune.
Whether any and what part of the Rebel force
retrcating from Maryland are likely to be over
taken by our pursuing columns, and whether
any Of their plumber is likely to be recaptured,
and indeed, where they went with their droyos
Of cattle and wagons laden with corn, are ques-
tions TO which We know of no answers except
inferential ones. Washington kilograms have
assured us that sUmc-they do not say what
forces are following-it would seem rather
leisurcly-On the Rebel trail, and therefore in
the direction OF either Smoker or Ashby's Gap,
or both.
On such a retreat as the Rebels are conducting
they would naturally divide their columns both
to distract pursuit and To obtain for themselves
more unObstructcd roadway for their crowded
and unwieldy trains. 1t has been stated accOUd-
ipgly, but we think little by help OF guesses,
that the Rebel retreat is through these two gaps
into the Shenandoah. From the advancing front
there is really no news that can be trusted, but
we incline 10 tall in with the theory ha! the safer
line for the Rebels Is the Valley, and not the
WanCntOn road to Gordousye; for while pur-
suing the former they have their exposed flank
steadily protC ctgd by the mountains.
Other elements, however, enter into this Ques-
ton. 1t was 50, ed carly last week that thc ad-
vance Of Hunters returning column, under Sui
liyan, was AZ Martu5burg, and had taken pri SON
eIs and Rebel stores. Whether this was then
true or NOT by this time there is reason to think
thar General Hunter may have found his way to
the Valley, aud en- eIiug il from the west, may
plant bimsclf ia the path which che Rebels
would choose 20 fol ow. In which case it re-
mains 10 be settled which Of the two columns is
the stronger, and as we know about what Hun
ter's is, we shall get more exact iuiOrma ion than
weN az have concerning the body which has ac-
conlplshed the Mary land raid.
We hear also that Sheridan's Cavalry, recrOss-
ing the James aud striking north, has under
taken the task OF intcrccptug the return Of
Early's frecboo;ers, and again that a force has
gone round BY transports 10 the York river, and
Is marching towards GOrdOusyille with the same
intent II we suppose both reports true, aud
known 10 the Rebels, they are bgsct on either
side 10y the apprc lcnsiou Of an enemy, while
pur- ned by third in the rear, and such circum-
stanc's WUuld maEe either the val ey route or
the Marrentcn road anou. equally undesirable.
We 90 not care to pursue the speculation as to
their movements.
The raid has been success to some OK x,ent in
the matter Of piuudcr, but perhaps rather less
than is commonly supp Sed. Tle Rebels we're
ten days in Mary land aud In that period of
time eight or ten thousand men eau do a good
- deal OF stealing but il does not follow they can
carry away the products of a dozen counties.
Their wagon train was limited witness their
deficiency even in artillery and ammunition.
COncedng-and we fully believe it-that tine
main object Of the expedition is pluuder we still
can see no means OF carrying SO much out of
Maryland as should be for any length of time an
important contribution TO Lees COmmissarigt.
Perhaps they got subsistence for a week-a fort
night at mOst-tor the 100 900 mouths which must
daily he fed al Richmond.
We look upon this raid as nothing worse than
an annoyance and Il modification. Pains have
been taken TO make il appear as an evidence Of
Lees superabundant strength, that ne should be
able 10 spare such force from the defense of
Petersburg and Richmond. 1t is nothing of the
kind, but is an evidence Of his necessities in two
ways. When Hunter threatened Lynchburg, Lee
was compelled to send a force TO relieve it.
Iyncbburg was, and ever has been, more i'm
portant depot of supplies than Richmond itself;
and straitened as the Rebel army near Petersburg
then was, its commander had no option but to
take the immense risk of weakening his main
force, in order 10 retain the stores and communi-
cations at Lynchburg
When he had done that, and he succeeded only
in consequence of the delay in Hunters advance
he suddenly learned that the Danyille road
had been cut, which was meant by General
Grant TO have been a cooperative and conclusive
work in connection with Hunters expedition.
Spite Of the latter's failure, Lee may have found
himself under sudden stress for supplies, for
wilson had been 30 thorough, that the DanVille
road was useless for at least a month, and mean
while Maryland offered the most convenient field
Tor ior9ging, and was improved accordingly.
bu'' however that may be, undoubtedly the