The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-07-19

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THOMAS WITTY 4 Hfnaiaron e. re District
= EfraingaH
JuHS "a. HATenEipEE. q ntset ~ ihe pis.
uid q asutAeti@
The Rehrl Raid and the Siege q
Washington.
Recent kilograms announce that the
rebel forces, which have for the past
few days been threatening Washing
Ton and Baltimore, are in foil retreat
across the Potomac. Enough has been
known Of their doings 10 siarlie the
country, but not enough TO give US any
correct idea Of tbs strength OF their
numbers, their plan Of operations, or
the immediate objects Of their move
m,cnt. 10 gather supplies for their
armies, and to force the withdrawal of
Grant from before Petersburg, were
undoubtedly the great ends they de-
signed. 10 accomplish. But how they
intended to effect the latter is not SO
easily seen. They crossed the Poto-
mac, divided into small parties, and
swarmcd over Maryland in all drec-
lions, plundering and burning in their
usual style Of civilized warfare. They
swept through nearly every town of
importance in the State. Every rail-
road was destroyed, and everyrele-
graph wire cut. They came within a
short distance Of Baltimore and for
time threatened TO make dash into
the town. They cut of all communi-
cations with Washington, approached
he Notifications, and commenced an
attack upon Fort Stevens. Finding
that Washington was well defended
ard that troops were coming in upon
them on every side, they Withdrew
their forces and were last heard Of
crossing the Potomac with their trains
of booty. From this il would seem
that it was primarily intended TO con-
fine tie labors Of the expedition TO The
plundering OF the open country, but
that the force was made larger than
was really necessary Tor this work, for
the purpose Of taking advantage Of
any defect which might be found to ex-
ist in the defences of Baltimore or
Washington. The first Of these OBJ
jects they accomplished with their usu-
al success IN such work, but the latter
and most important is as far from be-
ing attained as ever. Gen. Grant has
net suffered his attention TO be with
drawn for momenb from the work
before him. He sent twenty thousand
men to form a nucleus about which to
unite The small commands Of the Mid
die Department, but did not weaken
his command to such an extent as TO
make il impossible TO resume active
operations a, any moment. Indeed,
be seems to have taken advantage Of
the absence Of 30 large a portion Of
the rebel troops in Maryland, 10 stir
up The remainder Of Lees army. II
is also understood that Sheiiltu's In
pincible cavalry is on the w,.y 10 q e,l
the returning expediiionof rei. Is. and
had reached Hanover Court House in
it, porthwarj march some las ago.
This in conjunction with Hunters
forces and the troop. from Maryland
pressing on the rear Of the rrireating
marauders, may render their FINAL es-
cape with the fruits Of their expedition
a matter Of uncertainty.
This is The third summer that arch.
q army has appeared in Maryland
Il seems as if any oiher Stale than
Pennsylvania might have learned by /
two experiences 81 rebel invasion 10
provide for her sal ~ anl Tint Of The
city q which from her siiuiion she is the i
proper guardian Ii moments Of extra
ordinary peril. The continued apathy
Of this great State has more than once
endangered The Union cause. She
mghi az slight expense, compared
with The danger insured, keep 6tiy or
seventy five tbcossed her militia 80
orsnnized a. TO be able 10 rePsl any
attempt 81 invasion without recalling
troops operating against the rebel cap
i,aL Rebel prisoners are strong IN
their assertions thai tbs is oaly a pre-
liiainary movement 10 deceive the
NORTH s,sb a belief thai lhe danger Is
Ims. and bat IN > moa.h there vii b
zlsrgeF a. ay than ever 10 Mar laad.