The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-22

IN II w q O4tA 1Ax1xS&AA>A>e
The General Fasld OF the Wharf.-The Army
of the Potomac.
In looking over the general field Of the war
there appears to be very little going on in
the way of active operations except in the
State of Mississippi From that quarter we
are momentarily expecting the news of General
Grants occupation of Vicksburg. The latest
accconts of his movements--whi are officially
reported by the rebel General Joe Johnston
represent that he defeated General Pemberton
at Edwards depot, on the railroad between
Jackson and Vicksburg, on Saturday, and drove
him back behind the Big Black river towards
the latter point. Further rumors from scouts
state that Grant had advanced, engaged, and
beat Johnston near Brownsville. These are ia
vorable symptoms Of coming good fortune
ut the great rebel stronghold of the South
west. But, in the meantime, what il
General Burnside, doing against threatened
rebel invasion Of Kentuokyi Why has not
Gen. Rosecrans moved out from Murfreesboros
Why this inactivity on the part Of our land and
naval forces in the southeast corner Of Virginia,
in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
II We wait . few weeks longer all aggressive
operations, from Pamlico Sound to the Savasl-
nah river, will most probably have to be sus-
pended until the return of the malaria-killing
frosts Of autumn. But above all, why fingers
the Army of the Potomac on the northern side
Of the Rappahannock!
Taking up these questions in their order, we
may answer, that, in addition to his laborious
campaign against Vsllandigham, General Burn
side, in order to checkmate the threatened
rebel invasion of Kentucky, has been preparing
for the movement Of heavy army column
to meet the enemy more than half way; that
General Rosecrans is biding his time, mas
much as his army may be considered an army
held in reserve to support the movements Of
the advanced army of General Grant in the
Southwest; that our land and naval forces
from Norfolk to Charleston, can, perhaps, do
nothing better just now than the duties Of oc-
cupation and observation while awaiting the
issue of great events elsewhere; and that Gen.
Banks, having substantially accomplished his
work of expelling the armed forces Of the
rebellion from Louisiana, is, perhaps, moving
upon Port Hudson, if not preparing for an adj
vance into Texas.
With regard to the Army Of the Potomac we
are somewhat in fog. We believe that Gen.
Hooker retreated without delivering general
battle" when such battle would have given
US the greatest victory Of the war; that he
recrossed the river when he should have re-
NAMED on the other side, and that his
army to-day, if left simply to the manage
ment of its corps commanders, could
be marched over the river and could utterly
rout and dispense the rebel army under
General Lee What General Hooker is waiting
for we do not know, nor do we care to know.
We are satisfied, however, that If Gen. Halleck
had been Napoleon Bonaparte Richmond
would have been taken during the late favora-
BILE military operations in Virginia, notwith-
standing the failure Of General Hooker.
General Stoneman's cavalry found that Lee,
in order to strengthen his army on the
Rappahannock, had left the rebel capital COM
pletely defenceless. At that opportune mo.
ment Eve thousand Union troops could have
marched into the city, and within few hours
could have destroyed military stores Of all
kinds, cannon foundries, factories of small
arms magazines Of ammunition, railroad rolling
stock, &C., the loss Of which would have
crippled the rebellion almost Is seriously az
the bagging of Lees entire army on the Kappa
hammock.
Regarding the escape Of Richmond, under
the circumstances, as something miraculous, the
rebels have taken the alarm. There ID no dan
ger, therefore, that when General Hooker again
crosses the Rappahannock Richmond will be
completely stripped Of its troops Nor
Is 1t to be supposed that Gen. Hooker, when
again on the other side of the river, will again
get his army so entangled in the jungle Of "the
wilderness" as to be glad to get out Of it by
the back track. We presume that in the next
trial of strength and strategy with Lee the War
Office at Washington will compel him to divide
his forces, or to abandon the Rappahannock
and all the country to the James river in order
to save Richmond. Whatever may be the plans
of the War Office, we think that experience
and common sense plead strongly in favor Of
moving upon Richmond by way of the james
river, according to the plan of Gen. Mcclellan
The Army of the Potomac, by any route, IL
ready for action, and, conscious Of 1T
strength" il eager for decisive trial with the
enemy.
TIE SENTENCE ON vALIANDIGHAM-A DOUBLE
BI.uNpER-It Is stated that the sentence o.
Imprisonment passed upon Mr. vallandighan
has been committed by the President intt
transportation beyond the federal lines. This