.. irT ft i.l^
.g??grse ?ffm
mfim m**--L
liege of Richmi3KSHH59p9m^qufck to re$
avail themselves iifThnWtYlTit(friiiwgiliiiil over us
thi
" . in the Peninsula, the rebels, animated by a despair- ^
ing and almost superhuman energy, have been po,
pressing hard against the gateti of Washington, sol
And while our fbrtificstions at the capital are suf- adl
Bcientiy strong, on every side, to be impregnable ^(
to the assaults of the enemy, it is humiliating to we
' consider that the expenditure dming the past few tas
months of thousands of patriot lives and millions of 1
money, has resulted in nothing more than placing 013
us again on the defensive, where, instead of ^
making the war aggressive, we can at best only tra
hope to hold our own. cot
Our files leave us ip doubt as to the exact con- ^
dition otaffaira. The peters, as late as the 6th the
inst., contain no definite intelligence, but are filled pre
with rumors of an ominous character. Sifting atl
these reports, we are led to*believe that the enemy
is determined to transfer the desolations of the avJ
conflict to Northern soiL Bis entire force had disappeared
from in front of our lines, and was supposed,
at last accounts, to be concentrating upon
the upper Potomac with the intention of crossing 1
over into Maryland. Color is given to this supposition
from the fact that the river is very low?r ev<
some of the fords not being more than a few inches by
deep?and the passage is not only practicable for ?f
? - ? ? eki
cavalry, bat also for light artillery. The renei
army left Richmond short of supplies, and the 841
means of communication being imperfect, it could 801
not, without great difficulty and delay, obtain re- lea
lief from that quarter. In the neighborhood of Ad
Washington the country is like a desert, and the
supplies captured from Gen. Pope would afford fer
but temporary relief. In their distressed condi- CO]
tion they must return towards Richmond, at the int
risk of disheartening and disorganizing the troops, **
or take the fearful risk of crossing the Potomac to 116
draw sustenance fYom the rich forms of Maryland.
Doubtless they have chosen the alternative which ***
?seeming to them the only chance of salvation to 001
their cause?is quite as likely to result in their
utter discomfiture. The occupation of Maryland
appears to be a part of a general plan of the rebels 8U
to invade the loyal states. We do not for a mo- W
ment believe that they could penetrate far beyond wi
our borders, but there are evidences that the St
attempt will be made. The news reaches us that te:
a strong rebel force is threatening Louisville, Ky., St
and simultaneously a force equally strong is ^
marching upon Cincinnati. The surrender of
"Clarksville, Tenn., is followed by an attack upon
Fort Donelson. Gen. Bragg is marching through r0
Western Virginia, towards the Ohio river, with P?
every chance of an uinterrupted advance. re
* ?*?.?* ?:? mi
In Yiew ot tneee auaacious uumtcuiu^o CUIU VU1 I
disastrous Summer campaign, the nation cannot
but feel mortified and disgraced. We look to our
Generals and ask upon whom rests the responsi- of
bility ? It is singular that the confidence of the 8t
people is not utterly paralysed; but they still seem
filled with a sublime courage, and an unwavering m
hopefulness. Our new levies come forward with ^
unlooked-for readiness, and we will soon have ^
mustered a mightier host than has ever before 79
rallied to the support of any Government. The m
crisis of the war appears to be at hand, and upon
our Generals rests the fate of the Nation. Heaven na
grant that they may yet prove themselves equal ar
to the grand emergency! er
N.
ij^fo~Wt?pP13BKt to govern than
oot expected
r^^BnP charg? that he
flgpiawg^^PWKdrepter oa any new
ffl?|||^|ffipM^kter; he will do all that ia
f$n*& loS&fcJfVpwold the territory which the
II^MflBU^RMakOBthO ago. And yet, if we
|fl$4Mn||Mbo0aoj> with which the comm&na^SsSg^jBtpiept
are changed, we shook!
HIlo be ttftoery hardest or all hard mm1
MB to crack* Gen. Mitchel goes down as
; third who has essayed to role the Sea Island
pril, succeeding Gen. Hunter, who replaced
in. Sherman. Unless there be something in
i genius of the place that turns the best head,
> Government has at last found a man fit for the
it and the work. Gen. Mitchel is an educated
dier; but he superadds to this a practical
ninistr&tive talent, that the mere soldier rarely
)ws. If his energetic and versatile mind fails
control the refractory elements of that region,
may well despair of finding any man fit for the
k.
The appointment of Gen. Mitchel to this comnd,
restores to active duty a soldier who should
rer for a day have been allowed to be out of
mess ; while, at the same time, it admits of the
usfer of Gen. Hunter to some new and more
lgenial field of duty.
>To one will pretend to see any political signifitce
in the change, as both soldiers, in so far a*
y are politicians, think very much alike. We
sume the only object of the measure was to put
he head of the Department of the South a man
:nliarly fitted for the post, while the services of
i relieved General can be made not less but more
lilahle elsewhere."
Gen. Stevens.
1 late steamer brings intelligence of the death
this gallant officer. He fell at Chantilly, on the
?ning of the 2nd inst., pierced in the forehead
a Minie ball, while bravely carrying the colors
his Division, after the standard-bearer had been
>1 Glen. Philip Kearney was killed in the
no action. Both were dauntless, impetuous
diers, eminently possessing those qualities of
dership which can alone win respect and conence
from newly-organised troops. They were
bting-men, by the loss of whom the nation sufs
severely. With the active operations of this
mmand, the name of Isaac Ingalls Stevens is so
imately identified that it would be superflous to
;ount his .recent history. Sufficient to say that
was honored and beloved by us all, as a stertt
Patriot, an able General and an earnest Friend;
O 0
d we mourn hie death with keener grief for its
currence when yet the bays were yielding leaves
fresher laurel for his brow. Thp record of his
9 shows a brilliant page of military and civil
ccess. Born in Massachusetts and educated at
est Point, he was graduated in time to serve
th marked distinction as an engineer on the
aff of Gen. Scott, in the Mexican War. He afrwards
became connected with the U. S. Coast
irvey, and subsequently superintended the conduction
of a U. S. fortification in Maine, which
11 exists as a monument of his engineering
ill. Next we find him surveying the overland
' ^ - A! 1_
ute to Oregon ana participating acuveiy uu ui?
ilitical affairs of that Territory, to become whose
presentative in Congress, he resigned his comission
as Captain of Engineers. At this time
?rendered valuable service to the Government
r forming treaties on its behalf with the Indians
Washington and Oregon Territories, which are
ill in force and likely to remain many years
nger as mementoes alike honorable to nisjuogent
and humanity. Subsequently, be became
overnor of Oregon Territory, and soon after
is war began he was appointed Colonel of the
th Highlanders, vacating that position in a few
onths for th%t of Brigadier General. Such is a
ief outline of his public career. Among the
ines of the wounded in the action at Chantilly !
e those of Capt. Hazard Stevens, son of the Gen- j
al, Col. Leaiure of the 100th Pens., Col. F&rns
H^blaaders, BH
I^Bfefc sad $?& tk^ifBeii service
Growling.
It is a gOodwthing to be patient, A. Job-like
mm is ainoral hero. Notiody will gainsay that.
Bat there is a Wide diversity of human organism,
and even the best of men ore sometimes unable to
keep calm. The past week has afforded us a striking
illustration of this truth. We have had two
arrivals from the North, and not only received no
mail, bat sot even a stray newspaper. At the
same tlrne we have been fed to repletion with rani
ors of dire calamity and Marfr disaster to oar
arms. With neither the power of verifying nor '
of disproving the dreary tilings, everybody has
been chafing and burning under the slow fires of
suspense. On Wednesday, early, the Eriuson
came from Fortress Monroe. Naturally she was
supposed to bring newspapers, possibly a mailbag.
Sharp was the disappointment when it was
ascertained that she brought neither. She had
been dispatched to carry k hence some companies
of tbe Massachusetts cavalry, when an order forbidding
their removal was issued by the War
Department, as long ago as the 26th ultimo. The
fermenting public mind could not be restrained
longer. It effervesced in expressions of gentle
objurgation upon stupid quartermasters, and overflowed
in tumultous streams of abuse against the
Ericston'i Officers. Then, having exhausted itsfury
in allegro it subsided to pensive andante, and
proposed a handsome subscription for the purser
of the vessel wherewith fo purchase newspapers
should he come again this way. If he does not
return it is stipulated that he must dole out the
money to street beggars in sums of (me cent,
hoping that he may thereby acquire a taste for
practical benevolence. Patience is a virtue, but
there are cases when it is excusable to growl and
this was one of that kind.
Why don't wx hays a Raitaoaix I?This question
has gccurred to every oae, during the past
week, who witnessed the mighty expenditure of
negro an^ horse power required in the removal of
heavy ordnance from the pier* through the deep
sand, to the yard1. Three months since the rails
and cars were brought here^and then the matter
rested* A railroad from the aid of the pier to the
storehouses and ordnance yard would afford advantages
which can scarcely be over-estimated*
THE NEWS FEOM THE HOSTH.
Arrival of the Steamer Qeorge C*.Colliiu.
The Government steamer Gtorge C Collins,.
Capt Lont, arrived on Thursday evening lrom
New York, bringing recruits for nearly all the
regiments in this Department, and a heavy mail*
From our flies of New York papers we extract the
following ?Our
army in Virginia was gradually massing in
the immediate vicinity of Washington. The determined
attacks of the rebels on our supply trains
in the rear of Gen Pope, which came near being
successful on Sunday, were persisted in with such
vigor, that a large force was sent to put a stop to
it. A company of the second United States Cav~
airy, under Capt Hight, were taken prisoners, but
the object of the rebels was temporarily foiled.
With a view to secure our trains beyond peradventore,
our forces were, on Monday the 2nd, pushed
forward from Centreville to Fairfax Court-house,
Reno's Division leading, and McDowelPs following.
N ear Fairfax Court-house, about 4 P. M.
on Monday, Reno's Division met a detachment of
thd rebel Gen. Hill's Division, under Gen. Stew?,
? e*nrminarr pnmfHet ensned. Gens.
Reno and Stereos immediately formed in line of
battle, but, while gallantly leading a charge, the
latter was instantly killed by a Minie bail. Hia
tinirovflr drnvf? the enemv before them.
UVV^O) **VW ? ? w? y #
It was in this engagement that Gen. Kearney was
killed. Skirmishing was kept np about three hours
when the enemy were forced to retire, after &
heavy loss. At another point on the same day,
they were, however, fortunate enough to capture a
train of a hundred of oar supply wagons.
?There was much excitement in New York on
the 6th in consequence of a report that the rebels
J