New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-06
THE REnEL INVASION.

We rejoice to announce tho advance of con-
siderable Rebel force north OF the Potomac. a
force officially estimated at from IS, 900 to 70. coo
men, and msnilostly bent upon an invasion
either of Maryland or Pennsylvania. IL Is,
doubtless, the contingent which wns sent
originally to protect Lynchburg against
Hunter, consisting of nine bngsdeS under
Early, and augmented by two or three thousand
cavalry under Ransom, as well as by the nil
raft which fingered in the Valley under
Jones, who was killed at Piedmont. Altogether,
they probably reach the number stated In the
Albany dispatch. 1t is force whereof the main
portion are veterans, perfectly able TO cope with
twice or three times their number oil soldiery
unframed in battle such as is the majority OF our
militia. Yet we believe the invasion military
mistake and the prelude to Il disaster which
may become fatal to the Rebel cause.
We aocept it ~ evidence that Lee does not
yet comprehend his antagonist. II wa one
thing to invade Pennsylvania while Grant was
yet detained at yicksburg; it is very different
thing while Grant is closely menscing Rich
lie neither knew nor anticipated the work Of
Wilson on the Denyils and Lynchburg Rail
roads, the accomplishment Of which was subee-
quent 10 tho start of Early. Secondly, he hopes
that this movement may detach some OF that
force which now lies under tho defenses Of Pc
ter8burg-s hope which wo believe utterly vain.
The President has promptly and wisely called
out tho Northern Militia, and we do not believe
it possible that any extremity of alarm ut Wash-
ingtOn could occasion al interference with ar
rsngements at Petersburg. We suppose the
force Of this nation to be in the control Of
Lieut. Gen. Grant wholly, aud We know that he
Is incapable Of being ceiolcd into the folly
which Lee has now cOmmi tcd-tlat Of dividing
his main army.
Nor is 1t " be supposed that tins Rebel
effort which il simply al effort Of desperation,
fnds us upprcpareI. Tbs department. which
centers at Baltimore has neVer been stripped Of
it, garrison. The forces Of 5igel end Kelly ere
a. hand The depot 1T Chambersburg. under
Couch, he's always been able To constitute a
nuclsuA The Penngyiyanis Reserves, i1St re-
leassd from service with the Army OF
thc Potomac, IRE ready TO take
the field IS yeisniD.. The militia
ri the North viii instantly gnsher. and not
intrinsically strong. btroue 10 by ASSOCIATION
with q trained force. Finally, the army OF Gen.
Hunter IL already on its way to the North, and
viii close the door " rctrea: for whatever Rebel
force has ventufed across The Polom3c- The
unssion Of Early is mad ons, end there n %
rsasun wbs,evef 70 regard hs advance as any
thing bu: m omen on tho usovc speedy success ID
Gen Grant a, Richmond. That the Reoeks
will plumber and devsstzte the country az they
advance n 70 be expected, bat tina, il the for
t1ne Of war which We must DO ready to accept
81 web a. confer. Only let Us be sure thai fr
every mischief they do they shall repay the Re
public tenfold by tho pertaining Of It's enosn,-
snd the confusion Of their cause
We have nothing 20 urge upon The loyal
people Of the North ssve that they NEE, this
issue msnfu'ly and steadily. responding with
cheerful alsorty 70 the call for their services,
and resolving 10 70 do their duty that h Shan
never need To he done again.