We expected to have been able to announce in our yesterday afternoon’s
edition the important fact that Richmond was, in possession of
General McClellan’s army. From sources of information which we deemed
trustworthy, we, however, believe that the fact was known in this city
yesterday afternoon, and also communicated by the authorities here
to Washington, but for reasons no doubt satisfactory, an official
recognition of the fact was withheld by the War Department. Our theory
of the case is this: Although the city is in our power or possession,
yet the Rebel army is still in arms, but is so situated that it can
neither escape from the coils of the anaconda with which McClellan
enfolds it, nor has it the means of obtaining supplies; neither can
it attack our forces, who hold the possession of the bridges over the
Chickahominy, which are controlled by our heavy artillery, and there
is no other means of access to McMillan, it being impossible for the
Rebels to get through the marshes adjacent to the river. The result
must be that the Rebels must surrender or starve, as they can neither
fight or skedaddle. They are in a _fix_.
This, as before remarked, is our theory of the matter, and the
government withholds the official intelligence of the taking of
Richmond, until it can accompany it with the additional gratifying
announcement, which probably they may be able to make in time to send
to England by the steamer which sails to-day, of the capture not only
of Richmond, but of the entire Rebel army. For giving this _opinion_,
we hope we may not be called upon to keep our neighbor company at Fort
McHenry.—_Baltimore Clipper, July 2._
_July 3d._ Parson Brownlow, of Tennessee, delivered a speech last night
at Ford’s Atheneum, in this city, to a large audience. The meeting
closed with lusty cheers for the Parson, State of Tennessee, and the
Union:
_Extracts from Northern papers._