New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-15
THE RAID.

THE RAID.
We get very little news from Washin. ton
touching the movements Of tue Rebels, but we
presume there is no doubt their main body
crossed the Potomac at Edwards'5 Ferry, end
are making for Gordonsyille either by way Of
The Shenandoah Valley or the Warreuton and
Culpepor turnpike So far as we positively
know, both roads were open to their retreat
ing forces, but we cannot yet believe they
will be permitted to escape without
interruption. An evening paper Of yesterday
is privately assured that a heavy force was
moved across the Potomac in time TO intercept
the enemy-n force largo enough to defeat the
utmost strength at which Rebel authority est-
mates tho column Of Early. We trust this is
all so, but have no information--we only know
it ought to he so.
Concerning the numbers and disposition Of
our forces the Government has preserved 8 pru-
dent silence. As for tho Rebels, We repeat
there is no single fact, no scintilla Of evidence
going TO show that their force present in Mary
land exceeded at any moment twenty thouoond
men. All and moro than all thoy have
done could have been done by n less number.
1t does not appear they meditated on attack on
Washington, except in the speculative contin'
gency the gates had been found inyitingly un-
locked and their military pathway strewn with
welcoming flowers. The fiction Of A. 7. Hills
corps approaching the Potomac to cross at Ed
wards's Ferry and join in the siege or assault
upon Washington was persisted in only so long
as it seemed likely to aggayate the uncertainty
Of the North. II is plain enough now that the
expedition was conceived with no serious pur-
pose against tho Capital.
Its real objects were such as we have hereto
fore set forth. There was plentiful plumber to
be hsd, for ono thing. There wos the hope Of
alarming the notwithstanding this section
from its propriety-which for the most part hap.
ply failed. There were deienseless outposts to
be sacked. defenseless railways to be cut, and
o general career Of various mischief open before
any adventurous squad which wonld under-
take it. So far as wo can yet discover, Che
Rebel infantry force employed in this business
was practically wasted, the cavalry having
proved competent to deal with the railways and
telegraphs. The exceptions to the statement
are the more extensive stealing which great
numbers we're able to accomplish, and The de-
feat of Wallace at Monocacy. But, for raiding
purposes, infantry is vastly inferior to cavalry.
In the present case, therefore, we iadge that the
peculiar mission of the infantry was to effect
diversion in favor OF Richmond, by creating alarm
for Washington and SO dctaching some consider.
able part OF Grants forces. In that respect the
raid ia o failure. Grants hold on Rich.
mond has not been relaxed. The troops sent
70 Washington were such, and only such, as
could be spared without interruption OF opera
tions near Petersburg. .......
II viii be noticed that we have heard nothing
directly from Gen. Grant for several days. We
hear nothing now that communication with
Washington is restored. Bnt does anybody
believe that If Lee had sent forty or fifty thou
sand troops into Maryland, Grant would hare
lain idle in his trenches in front Of defensive
force thus diminished Admitting even tina. Lee
has spared 90 600 during the last three weeks,
we believe he will find cause 10 rue their de-
parture before he gets them again within sup
porting distance. The Maryland raid, however
you look at it-unless with reference TO supplies
is sfailurej but what epithet Of contempt could
Justly characterize its i'll success If forty thou.
sand men had been engaged in it--a number
ludierously dispropcrtiOnate to the purposes
Of raid, and yet inadequate for
an invasion What we have TO cav
concerning the way in which the Shenandoah
Valley has been left open for the last three
years, and concerning the total want of prepa.
rstion on The border, We reserve I'LL wo have
some account Of the hnsl movements Of the
epemy. Ii IL shall spPosg Ina, they were SnE-