Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-04
FROM BEFORE RICHMOND.

The mystery that has overspread all the
reports received from before Richmond for the
last few days is at last being cleared up, and
we begin to see things in their true light. 1t
now seems that the new aspect Of affairs is
but the public announcement Of operations
that have been going on in McClellan's army
for more than week, accompanied by an at
tack by the rebels while executing these new
movements, but for which he was fully pre-
pared, and which he successfully resisted.
| The exposed position Of his immense supplies
at White House-amountng to many millions
Of dollars worth-and the inability Of his
right wing to resist powerful attack from
the rebels, induced Gen. Mcclellan to change
his base Of operations from the York river to
the James river, where he could more effect
ually cooperate with the gunboets against
Richmond. For this purpose his supplies
were all safely placed on board transports
and were on their way down the river, and eve
ry preparation made for Withdrawing the right
wing before the attack was made by the rebels,
who came upon us with overwhelming force,
but were kept back until the whole right
wing had fallen back to poin: where they
were ordered to make stand and hold the
ground at any cost. This they did most gal
lantly, not allowing the rebel forces to add
vance beyond the new line of operati ons.-
While this was being done on the right, the
left wing were advancing towards James riv
er, and thence to Richmond, the details of
which have not yet reached us. As Gen.
Mcclellan is now on the James river, where
he has no means Of communication save by
the river, we must await patiently the an
nouncement of the result Of his plan of attack,
as it now appears to be made public.
There are many reasons why this change Of
position must prove at once beneficial to our
army before Richmond and disastrous to the
rebels. Gen. Mcclellan can now have the
aid Of the gunboats which have so long laid
idle in the James river and with their aid the
fall Of Richmond will be the more easily ac-
complished. 1t also gives him a position
nearer the rear of the rebel army and the
better enables him to cut OF the retreat of the
rebels south. Should Burnside be eo-ope-
rating with Gen. Mcclellan, as it is believed
he is. the great railroad which runs from
Richmond south will be captured, or render
ed untenable as a means of retreat for the reb-
ell army in that direction. Can the retreat of
the rebels from Richmond be cut off, the cap
ture of that city must carry with it the cap
ture OF the whole rebel army that now de-
tends it. Another evacuation would but pro-
long the contest and we believe that the new
programme now marked out has the double
object to prevent the possibility of another
retreat, and ensure the speedy close of the
war. The capture of the Richmond army
would be the final and death blow of the re-
bellion; and it now looks as though it was
about to be accomplished. Surrounded and
hemmod in, the subsistence of their army
would be an utter impossbility, and their
surrender but matter Of very few days de-
lay.
Instead Of anything discouragng in the
new aspect of affairs, we have reason to be
even more hopeful than ever that the end
draws near. We await with patient hope and
confidence the final announcements