Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-03
LATER FROM THE NORTH.

Tho flag of truce boat arrived City Point Saturday,
with seven hundred and thirty wounded Confederate
soldiers. Through the courtesy of Judge 0uld and
Captain Hatch of the Exchange Bureau, we have re-
ceived file of United States papers to SOth ul inclu
sivc They contain but little interest. The following
is an editorial from the New York Times on the
PROSPECTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
Last Winters campaign eliminated In the battle Of
Fredericksburg under Burnside; the Spring campaign
eliminated In the battle Of Charlottesville, under
Hooker the Summer campaign appears 10 have cnlmi-
mated in the battle of Gettysburg, under Meade The
army of Lee has returned to its simple duty Of COW
ering Richmond and standing the defensive until at
tackled by troops The fact OF Lees retreat indi
Gates his inability to cope with the army of the to-
mac when il is properly concentrated and skilfuly
handled Nothing less than q ceriRin and prac zeal
knowledge of this would have led him TO abandon the
campaign campaign based the largest plans look
ing to the highest ends, opening with the greatest
promise carried on with the most boundess audacty,
but closing not only with the loss OF battle and With
retreat not merely in confusion his plans and rui
to his prospects, but with the blasting OF all hopes OF
euccess in any project of invasion in the future.
In campaigns strictly defensive he has yet, however,
his chances On commanding positions and behind for
midsble forcations he is yet capable of giving battle.
Even il be lost thirty thousand men between the days
on which he crossed and that which he re-crossed
the Potomac he Would still arrive on the upper Kappa,
and if be fell back upon Richmond and were Joined by
all the defenders Of that place, he might be able 10
magnify his force nearly to the proportions which had
when he set forth upon his campaign OF Invasion.
Events have as yet furnished us no indication where
Les proposes 10 plant his army He has already de-
feuded Richmond at Richmond itse'f he has defended
il at Fredericksburg; aud it has been defended at Ma
nassas There ore still other positions than these which
he could ssume that would enable him TO check or bar
our progress 10 the rebel Capital But his line OF de-
fence though temporarily il may be here or there, viii
be finally regulated by the movements Of Gen. Meade
and by the line Of advance that he may adopt. He will
find his works all ready for him at Fredericksburg,
well as at Richmond ald either Of these points furnish
as good defensive position for him as lie could desire.
IL would not surprise us to see him take up his old quar-
ters at Fredericksburg. II the two corps oil our army
which lay az ths mouth Of Manass Gap on Thursday
last we're TO make as rapid march down to the Kappa
hammock as they made up from it a month ago, and
seize Fredericksburg before Lees arrival he would he
likely 10 fall bsck from his present position upon Col
dOn4vie, aud make his way TO the North Auna river
and TO Sections Junction, twentyhree miles north Of
Richmond which constitutes the best defensive position
outside Of the works of the city.
We Judge that Lee would like to be "let alone" for
awhile now His army Is not only greatly DEPLETED but
most be nearly tagged out and as his only desire is 10
maintain the defensive and hold his ground, few
months time TO rest and recruit TO strengthen his ranks
and his works would greatly aid him. In the meantime
also the new and all devouring rebel Consumption
would be put through, aud such men as il furnishes
would be made into soldiers. Southern newspaper
makes an estimate that this will increase the
rebel force altogether by 40 600 men. We doubt
If it will furnish One.hsf this number but even n that
css it would enable JEFF Davis strengthen very mate
rally his main army.
II is possible that Gen. Meade may not grant this
son of respite to Lees army. If he undertake ac-
tive offensive campaign for few weeks however, the
Union army will in the meantime be strengthened much
a.. al t,ft Inv fba IF
scption which is being quietly enforced through
cut most OF the Eastern States.