New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-18
rr5R eITUATEON.

TEE sETUAT4oN.
Whether any and what par. Of the Rebel
forces retreating from Maryland are likely to be
cver,aken By our pursuing columns, and
whether any of their plumber is likely TO be re-
captured, and, indeed where they went with
their droycs Of cattle and wagons laden with
corn, are questions to which We know OF no
answers except inferontial ones. Washington
kilograms have assured Us hat sOme-they do
not cay whst-forces are follOwirg-it
would seem rather leisurely-on the Rebel
trail, and therefore in tie direction
of either Smokers or Ashby's Cap, OF both.
On SUCH a retreat as the Rebels are conducting
they would naturally divide their columns, both
to distract pursuit and to obtain for themselves
more unobstructod roadway for their crowded
and unwieldy trains. 1t has been stated ac-
cordingly, but we think little By help OF
guesses, that the Rebel retreat is through these
two gaps into TIE Shenar- jah. From the ad-
yancing front there is really 10 news that cen
be trusted, bat we incline to fall in with the
theory that the safer line for tic Rebels is The
Valley ard not the Warren'on roed 10 Go1dons-
vile; for while pursuing the former they have
their exposed fenk steadily protected by the
mountains
O.her elements, however, enter into this
question. 1t was stated eGrly last week that
the advance of Hunters returning column,
under Sullivan, was at Msrtinsburg, and had
taken prisoners and Rebel stores. Whether tbs
was then true or not, by this time there IS rea-
son to think that Gen. Hunter may have found
MS way to the Valley, and entering it from the
west, may plant himself in the path which the
Rebels would choose TO follow. In which case
it remains to bs settled which Of the two col
umns is tho stronger, and as we know about
what Hunters is, We shall get more exact m
formation than we yet have concerning the body
which has accomplished the Maryland raid.
We hear also that Sheridan's cavalry, re-
crossing tho James and striking North, has IN
dertaken the task Of intercepting the return OF
Earlys freebooters, and again that force has
gone round by transports to the York River,
and is marching toward Gordonsyille with the
same intent. If We suppose both reports true
and known to the Rebels, they are besct on
either side by the apprehension Of an enemy,
while pursued By third in the rear, aud such
circumstances would make either the valley
route OF the Warrenton road about equally un-
desirable. We do not care to pursue the speeu-
lation as to their movements.
The raid has been success to some extent
in the matter of plumber but perhaps rather
less than is commonly supposed. The Rebels
were ten days in Maryland, and in that period
of time eight or ten thousand men can do a
good deal of stealing-but it does not follow
they can carry away tie produce Of dozen
counties. Their wagon train was limited
witness their deficiency even in artillery ana
ammunition. Conceding-and We fully believe
lit-that the man object Of the expedition was
plumber, we still can see no means of carrying
so much out of Maryland as should be Tor any
length of time an important contribution TO
Lees commissariat. Perhaps they got subSlst'
ence for weok-a fortnight at mOst-for the
100, 900 mouths which must be daily fed at
! Richmond.
We look upon this raid as nothing worse than
an ANNOYANCE and a modification. Pains have
been taken to make it appear as an evidence oil
Lees superintendent strength, that be should
be able to spare such force from the defense
| of Petersburg and Richmond. 1t is nothing OF
the kind but is an evidence of his necessities
in two ways. When Hunter threatened Lynch
burg, Lee was compelled to send force to re-
lieve it. Lynchburg was, and ever has been,
more important depot Of supplies than Rich
mond itself, and straitencd as tho Rebel army
-near Petersburg then was, its commander had
no option but to take the immense risk OF weak
ening his main force, in order to retain the
stores and communications at Lynchburg.
When he had done that, and he succeeded only
in consequence of the delay in Hunters advance
he suddenly learned that the Danville Rail
road had been cut, which was meant by Gen.
Grant to have been cooperative and con-
elusive work in connection with Hunters e1pe-
dition. Spite of the lattors failure, Lee may
have found himself under sudden stress for
supplies, for Wilson had been so thorough that
the Danyills road was useless for at least q
month, and meanwhile Maryland offered the
most convenient held for foraging, and wus i'm
proved accordingly. But, however that may
be, undoubtedly the hope that the appear
ance of hostile force Of unknown strength
might divert considerable portion OF
Grants army from Petersburg, was the