The New York herald., 1864-08-08

the Shenandoah and crush any army that venured
oppose the march Hunters partial success may have
mont But nobody could played the Con ederate
game than the General who, advancing with his
burg rereated when sttacxed In exactly opposite
direction that in which alone his army might have
Il is possible that Hunter had othcr alternative, and
that only his rapid march 20 Gauley, West Virginia,
saved bis force from destruction But under circum
no has succee ncutralsinR Of vete
which at The present time would be CT imDeues
service 10 the North aud but tor his garng bad general
ship the invasion OF The North would have been TAR
more critical undertaking. IL would seem that the de-
fence of Lypcheurg was entirely tho work Of The small
body who Stanton uner General
Jones, and that Ewel, leaving Lynchbura TO It's fate
marched directly npcn tho Shenandoah valley, with
view OF cutting Oh Hunter from his commnnicaons and
occupy .rg the Baltimore AID Ohio Railroad In both
jecs has succeeded Hunter is insulated and power
less 10 strike blow; and long before be can
be In position 70 mako any serious demonstration IN
Eweil's rear, tns miscnef win have been doue More
over, there can. be no reinforcsments from the
de pend for their ety their undriled militia The
question is, wbe<ber this movement . ra,diog
ompaign, although ia neither case does il leave any
doubt as 70 the Of the struggle before Richmond
Of the great depots along tho Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road ana OF the large storesin Mary,d would be no
slight gain to Lee but we are inclined to think that
something more than mere RAID is asendej, Gd thai e
object Is 10 compel G-ams WthdToD0J of his 0rmy for the
protection Of the e.ace cities of Maryland ana Pen'
syrdsssa The moment sia0ut ly pr0pous for such
coun There are no, now any real soldiers north Of
Mason and Dixon's line. Every fit TO march with
\ regiment has long ago been drafted OIL to Grant,
There nothing but badly trained III armed and badly
OlceYed mob Ct militia regiments 70 arrest the progress
OF the Confederates: and Ewe has ity thousand vet
under his command then Baltimore and Washing
ton danger The conflicting.
Al moent the Northern newspapers describe the in
vasion border foray tho next day they are full
AT the formidable muster Of the invaders, and
picture &Wo three whole corps marching upon the
capital A few days will remove all uncertainty For
present IL that General Lee is the cue Of
increment 'ohea 'cas supas IN tnsporance, and IN Us
results, any operation of the Dar.
Grants Inactivity is, IN itself ominnus We hear or
siege being mounted and Of preparations for fresh
assault but the truth that tho federal general ia nom
plused. There flank movements to be made.
there iS little prospect OF successful assault The only
thing left is she'll the town and the Northern
people by repetition or tho siege OF Charleston This,
Petersburg How much longer the federal army VIII
re.nais 10 its present position depends much the
issue OF the expedition under Ewei than the plans
of General Grant. For tho time tho interests OF
tha centres in the movements OF the Con-
federate troops north Of the Potomac. Tho posi-.
ton OF Sherman's and OF Grants army Is q
matter of secondary importance II 1t shall turn
the strength OF the invading armies President Lncon's
administration may yet 20 out amst tho execraons Of
Tao Northern people. Already there symptoms OF
defiance to the central authority Governor Seymour's
refusal permit the departure of the New YORK
AZ the call OF the President be tho first act in another
Independence drama There is conspiracy Kentucky
aud martial law. There is Mr. Vailandigh in Ohio. IL
,ci strategy Of General Le and 10 conclude that some
other gurposs besides that of oo.ansng S'esoa Northern
sou has dictated the reneCd iuufsi6 of Northern
St0ses by the Confederate armies