The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-11
MONDAY, JULY IL, 1884.
THE REREL RAID.

The mystery of the Rebel movement up
the Shenandoah Valley into Maryland is fast
being resolved. What seemed the other day
10 be only party of marauders, securing the
country within our lines for forage has since
assumed the shape Of much more formidable
and serious enterprise. It certainly Is to be
very deeply regretted that the designs of LEE
in this instance were not foreseen sufficiently
to admit OF a more complete state of prep1ra-
ton TO meet and oppose them. Between extra
VACANT fears on the one hand, and a still more
foolish disposition to underrate a real danger
on the other, we have lost a good deal Of pre-
cious time In idly speculating about the char
acter, the purpose, and the magnitude Of the
emergency, when we should have been blsily
making haste TO anticipate and confront it.
But 10 is possible that the intentions and
tactics Of a shrewd and active enemy, fruitful
in expedients, and driven to incredible or i'm
probable undertakings by the very despera-
ton of his fortunes, cannot always be compre-
hended, except as they progress towards
development Nor is it wise to waste, in vainly
lamenting our failure to provide fully against
an exigency before It arrives, tue few and
brief moments that should be promptly and
energetically employed in getting ready to
grspple with it when it has actually come.
We are beginning to see pretty clearly that
a strong Rebel force has crossed TO this side of
the Potomac, north of Baltimore AMI Wash
ingtOn; and that, instead Of only seeking TO OBJ
tain supplies for a lamishing army, LEE Is en-
gagged in an offensive movement against the
National Capital, with force suited iu size,
composition, and appointment, to the import
ance and peril Of the expedition and probably
led and directed by himself in person. II this
be not so, it viii at least do us no harm, ia ,bR
end, TO act upon the hypothesis, since the
Vgor with which we move 20 resist II is likely
to be proportional tG5'our idea of the immi-
penSseRd magd1tude OF the danger thai Is 10
be met
For this reason we do not feel inclined to
affect contempt ofan invasion which may pos
sibly prove to be an exceedingly serious mat
ter, demanding = sWi1 concentration to
oppose IL of all the military resources orwhich
we now can possibly avail ourselves. Il will
be a sad disappointment, TO doubt, ii the ne
cessity of the occasion shall require the with
drawal of GRANTS army from Petersburg to
the defense OF Washington. But even that
measure should be borne ,-i5h considerate
patience by our people in Wow Of the impera-
tive nature of the emer ;encY which may, per-
haps, render It indisp nsabie. It is hard to
realize that LEE has been aole to turn sud-
denly from the defense of Richmond 10 an
offensive movement upon Washington. Bat
If events convince us of the fact, j. : OF. duty
to change our own plans and operations accord
ingly, and not stand in dumb or iriy1liug
amazement at the audacity ofthe Rebel laGdsr
u is rumored that a certain portion Of
GRANTS force has already been detached,
and is now in a position to intercept the
Rebel advance either on Baltimore or Wash
iDgton. With the renforcements it viii re.
celve ffom the North, it may be able to deieat
and drive back the invaders, % MEADE drove
them, a year ago from Gettysburg. In that
case GRANT may sull prosecute his campaign
on his present "llne," and Richmond flll in
consequence of the very effort Of LES to save
it by trying TO produce diversion Of GIANT
from that point.