The New York herald., 1864-09-29
Rebel Movements East and w est-StIr.
ring Events impending.

Rebel Movements East and w est-stir-
ring Events impending.
The supercilious airs Of ridicule, derision
and defiance with which the rebel journals at
Richmond have hitherto discussed the move
ments Of 'the Yankees against that city have
been changed into more doleful music by
Sheridan's effective operations In the Sheuan-
doah valley. The Bombastes Furioso Of the
Enquirer has ceased to swsgger aud commenced
to whine; and the terrible fre-eaters OF the
Examiner vainly endeavor to disguise their
| fears in savage howlings. Richmond 10 in
danger, and they confess it, for, in the despe-
rate expedients of resistance which they plead
they betray their desperate situation.
General Lee betrays it in the extraordinary
cautio n which Of late has marked his move
ments. There are many reasons for believing,
however, that he has in despair abandoned bis
original design Of attempting the dislodgement
Of General Grant from the Weldon Railroad,
and is meditating . Withdrawal from Peters
burg and the line OF the Appomattox river to
a shorter defensive line nearer Richmond. Cut
of from reinforcements, the contraction OF his
lines against the steadily extending Union
columns upon his TANKS is his only resource.
Bnt as this alternative involves the danger of
being completely invested in Richmond and
reduced to the straits OF siege we are not
surprised that all the women aud children and
useless non-combatants therein have been or
dered and urged to leave the doomed city
without delay. Whether 1t is the purpose Of
its ruling rebel junta to try the Vicksburg
game OF Pemberton and fight TO the verge Of
starvation. or whether they contemplate, in a
small way, the Russian sacrifice of Moscow,
we have yet TO learn. We still adhere to our
opinion that when driven to the extremity OF
isolation from their remaining line Of supplies
they will try that other expedient Of a timely
evacuation under the favoring cover Of night
Meantime all the threatening demonstrations
Of the enemy in every other quarter at this
time are only SO many diversions in support
OF Lee. Thus the rebel detachmente lately
scattered about in Northern Mississippi and
Alabama have been concentrated into some
thing like an army under Forrest, who is ap-
parsntly resolved upon the capture Of Nash
Vile. But his object is to retain for the
defence Of Nashville those detachments Of
Union troops in Tennessee which might
otherwise contribute some reinfocements TO
General Grant. The same object explains
the advance of the rebel General Price, for
the fourth time, into Missouri to be for the
fourth time driven back into the wlds
OF Arkansas But IL even for a few weeks
Price. with bis twenty or thirty thousand regu.
lars and irregulars, guerillas and bushwhackers
gathered up from Texas 10 the Missouri Dor.
der, can prevent, by movement into Mis-
souri,, any reinforcements from that quarter to
General Grant, he will be serving Lee as use
fully. considering his limited supplies, as II
marching directly to junction with him
| Tim. we see that all the odds and ends Of the
rebellion. even on the west side Of the Missi.-
sippi river, are now actively cooperating with
Lee in the defence OF Richmond To this end
xe have no doubt that Forrest, in Tennessee
and Price, in Missouri are acting faithfully in
pursuance OF instructions from General Lee or
JefY. Davis.
On the other hand, we dare say that Genera
Grant as thoroughly comprehends these West
ern rebel diversions az be did the late bois
ferrous and terrible irruption Of Early into
MARYLAND and TO the suburbs Of Washington
Sherman will take care Of Forrest, aud Rose
Grams will satisfactorily dispose OF Price, with
out any interruption to the main work In hant
under the immediate direction Of Genera
Grant To this work---the possession o
Richmond--all the other active operation