Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-15
The Great Cavalry Raids.

Stoneman's cavalry raid through Viz.
ginia and Grierson's through Mississippi
are the two boldest and most successful
affairs Of the war. The occasional raid:
of the rebel cavalry, cutting off the supply
trains Of our advancing armies, are small
matters compared with these expeditions.
They succeeded because of their bold
ness and unexpectedness, and they make
a new revelation of the case and compar-
alive safety with which the rebel country
may be cut through and through and
their railroad connections SO broken up
as to neutralize the advantages they
have had hitherto in holding a central
position and being able TO concentrate
their forces rapidly at any menaced
point.
Gen. Stoneman's raid was too late to
prevent the rebel forces in Virginia from
concentrating upon the Rappahannock,
but it gave an opportunity nevertheless
for the capture of Richmond by our
forces at Suffolk and Yorktown, before
Lee could send down troops for its pro-
lection, and SO obvious and inviting was
the opportunity that the news gatherers
took it for granted it would be improved,
and kept the country in a state of happy
excitement on Sunday by "premature"
of the capture of the reb
ell capital by Gen Dix and Gen Keyes.
1t was also announced that Gen Hook
er's army, or part Of it, had again cross
ed the Rappahannock. Neither report
is confirmed. The army of the Potomac
will be likely to resume the offensive a.
gain soon, bat few days for rest and
for the organization of supplies would
seem to be required, and another raid
between the Rappahannock and Rich
nond will probably become necessary to
break the rebel connections again when
Gen Hooker moves.
Grierson's destructive career through
has inflicted more extensive
md permanent damage upon the enemy.
The railroad and the telegraph connec- ,
ions north and east of Vicksburg are
broken, and Gen Grant is
moving up by way of Big Black river to )
he rear of Vicksburg so rapidly that he
5 likely to reap the full advantage of {
3rierson's raid. 1t is to be hoped that ,
he rebel forces at Vicksburg will find all
leans Of retreat cut of, and that Gen {
Iront will take something moro thara a
han the position. That indeed will be a
f the highest value, as breaking the last T
old of the rebels on the Mississippi-for r
Port Hudson falls of course after Vicks-
urg has fallen-but it would be a mis- b
'rtune if the rebel troops in the Missis- P
ppi strongholds find means to escape D
nd unite with the rebel army in front of =
Another cavalry raid is now W nted to d
reak the line of railroad in East Ten Il
essee by which Bragg's army communi- Il
ates with Richmond. Gen Carter did =
successfully some months ago, but moth :,
g was accomplished by it then beyond VI
nnoying the enemy. To break that CO
ne now might be of the highest service
9TH to Rosecrans and 20 our armies in al
irginia, and since it is demonstrated p,
lat our troops have the vigor and dash :,
F such enterprises, they should be kept =
,ing. The successes of Stoneman and b
rierson will naturally excite the spirit sa
adventure and emulation in our cav IN
ry, and this should be taken advantage
while at its hight. These cavalry sc
ids may be made the most effective re
cans of distracting the enemy and plac- lie
g them in positions to be reached and h;
ught successfully. Indeed, they seem :
be the only means indicated now by OF
hich the fundamental error of scatter
g our armies all along the outline of :
e rebellion may be partially remedied 81
Springfield Republican. P,