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The News from the Shenandoah.
The news of this repulse of Gen. Banks at Winchester, and his precipitate retreat thirty-three miles to the north side of the Potomac, has caused considerable excitement in our midst. The report was first telegraphed over the wires that the enemy were advancing under Johnson, Jackson and Ewell, 150,000 strong upon Maryland, and that not only Baltimore but the city of Washington were in danger. Subsequent corrected dispatches put the rebel force at only 15,000 to 20,000. Banks' army is now hardly 6,000 strong, the divisions of Gen. Shields and of Gen. Geary having very inopportunely been detached to reinforce Gen. McDowell at Fredericksburg.
What the intention of the enemy is is not clearly apparent, but unless he has a much larger force than is now attributed to him, it is hardly probable that he will venture far beyond the new base of his operations. Some surmise that Magruder's army has escaped from McClellan and is now marching Northward, but we do not believe any such thing. However, it is evident that the Government does not intend to be unprovided against any such demonstration, and to this end it is now calling upon the States for additional reinforcements, and we trust there will be a prompt and hearty response to the call. The Government is determined that Gen. McClellan's army shall not be withdrawn from its present movement upon Richmond by this diversion in the direction of Harper's Ferry, and the object of these now levies is to meet it squarely in the face. That there is any apprehension felt for Washington, unless it be true that Magruder's army has escaped, we do not at present believe. The excitement appears to have commenced in Baltimore, where there is a strong rebel feeling, which could not conceal its joy over Bank's repulse, and which still appears to be "on the rampage." We trust the next news will prove that there is no necessity for any very great amount of apprehension from Jackson's advance.