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

We fear we must give up the hope OF a Rebel
invasion. The latest kilograms concur in stat
ing that the Rebel forces are neither considera-
BILE in numbers nor obstinate in purpose. 4
special dispatch from Baltimore AYERS that all
ycstiges of the enemy have disappeared from
in front Of Harper's Ferry. Nothing is
heard of the columns" said 10 have been
moving into Maryland by way Of Falling
Water, Shepherdstown, and the ford next be-
low. And it begins to be doubtful whether the
Rebels did really mediate an advance in force,
and were deferred by the prompt arrival OF
Gen. Hunter, or whether their audacity never
went beyond the limits of al irregular eXpcdi-
tjonary force, bent mainly on plundering for the
private behoof of ihS robbers composing il.
The country has not forgotten the excessive
alarm which last year peryaded the Pennsylya-
MIA border. nor the haste with which the nhab-
itants fled before the distant approach Of the
enemy. The startling reports then telcgraphed
are remembered. The want of courage, the
want Of patriotism, the want Of all local effort
10 defend an oycrun district, are remembered.
As the alarm in that case was followed by really
formidable invasion, it has been thought possible
the same might occur again, and the reports
received yesterday wore such an air Of anthem
ITCHY, and the desperate dash up the ShCnan-
doah was 30 wholly in keeping with the Rebel
character and strategy, that there was u dis
position to credit the statements sent US.
Hereafter we shall take leave to judge for our
selves. II is possible, Of course, that something
is yet TO come OF the advance, but Oh any
evidence now before us its force is limited to
Irregular cavalry and fresh leyies Of beaten and
disbandcd infantry who ilocked up the Shenan-
doah in numbers great enough to con-
vince the commanders in their front that a
serious movement was in progress. 1t seems
probable that the damage already permitted TO
the Baltimore and Ohio Road might Just as
well have been prevented. and that the scare on
the border has little Of decent excuse. Beyond
the border there has been anything but alarm
there has been only the hope that the iniatua-
ton Of the Rebels might bring them in numbers
decisiyely across the Potomac and well into
Maryland or Pennsylvania.
II is still worth while to recall the fact that
every Rebel invasion upon the soil of loyal or
partially loyal States has brought disaster upon
the Rebel cause. The invasion of Maryland, in
1862 resulted in the battle of Antietam, wherein
only the indecision and tmidity of Mcclellan
prevented a total defeat Of Lees forces. The
inroad upon Pennsylvania last year gave us the
victory of Gettysburg, which the hesitation of
Meade converted into only partial destruction
of the Rebel army. The repeated raids and ex-
petitions into Kentucky have invariably failed
to profit the military fortunes Of the Rebellion,
and tho same is true of Missouri, whore every
temporary advantage has been followed by
swift reverse and retributon. We have wit
messed again and again the demonstration OF the
inability of the Confederaey to carry on an az.
gresSive warfare-the abandonment Of Breckin-
ridges projected intrusion into Kentucky in the
Spring being the latest evidence. Hence We
rejoiced over the report Of the Maryland move.
ment confident that It could end in nothing but
disaster to the cause of those who attempted it.
II looks now as matters would subside into