Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-07-01
THE PRESIDENT CONE TO THE ARMY.
Departure ofPresident Lincoln ON Visit TO
General Gfant--Gen. Grants True Plan--
Official Statement OF The National Debt.
WAsHINGTGN, Jane 2i

General Granite Gen. Grants True Plans
Official Statement OF The National Debt.
WAsHrNGTGN, Jane y
THE PRESIDENT s DEPARTURE FOR GEN. GRANT s
HEADQUARTERS,
The United States dispatch boat, Captain
Mitchell, left the Navy Yard to-day, with Pres-
cent Lincoln and the Assistant Secretary OF the
Navy, tor City Point.
1T is understood chat Mr.. Lincoln and Assis-
tant Secretary Fox have gone to the front to con-
buls upon the future programme OF the cam
peisn.
For the first time sirce crossing the Rapidan
che real plan Of General Grant for reducing Rich
mond is growing manifest 1t was never his In
teution to enter Richmond from the North. un-
less the unforeseen chances and contingencies of
battle should make it an easy conquest. Nature
end art have exhausted themselves in making IL
impregnable from that direction, and General
Grant was wen advised of this at the outset. But
the army was on the Rappahannock when he as
sumed the general command, confronted by Gen.
Lee 10 have withdrawn from there, and trans
ported his army by water from Washington to
this place, would have given Lee time and oppor
tunity, which he rarely wasted to have made
counter demonstrations On Washington and the
Upper Potomac. 1t was considered best 20 drive
the rebel army before us to Richmond, if it could
not be destroyed sooner; for Its destruction in
stead of the capture of one or many rebel capitals
tpally, By compelling It 70 retreat from Richmond
on line Of their own selection the destruction of
the railroad through Gordonsville to the westward
becomes an important consideration. For this
purpose the army lay in the vicinity of Bethesda
church and Coal Habor full week longer than it
would otherwise have done; but the railroad was
finally not only destroyed for miles, but completely
annihilated, SO far as the term is applicable to
matter. Our mission on that flank was then
accomplished We are now here.
While the capture of Petersburg is an accom-
plshed fact the Danyile Railroad is the only one
that connects the rebel capital with the Southern
Gonfederacy The width of track on this road is
and will prevent the withdrawal of rolling stock.
This road can be easily threatened, or even de-
stroyed from Petersburg 50 that the rebel Gov
ernment viii feel that Richmond is held by very
slight tenure. The loss Of Petersburg is the rie-
tual surrender Of Richmond.
A glance at the map viii convince the most un-
believing of this. Our communications viii be
matchless theirs hopeless. Let the timid, who
scent disaster in every breeze and borrow trouble
from all our movements be assured that the glori-
GUS campaign of Nicksburg will find parallel here.
There is something very grand and imposing In the
slow and steady advance of this army on Rich
mond. Itreminds one ofthe mountains closing in
on the brothers In the fairy tale.
To-day session of the House was assigned for
the consideration of the business of the Military
Committee, aud was entirely occupied by it. Ii
went on quite smoothly until the bill repeating the
communication clause Of the Enrolment act came
up 1t was evident from the first that large ma
jority was opposed to repeating it, and the addi
tional section, prohibiting the furnishing of sub
stitutes unless near relatives of the drafted man.
did not aid it in the least Mr.. Schenck argued ii
favor of the BILL and argued its passage as vitaly
necessary TO carrying on the war but it was of nc
use A majority of two to one striking out the first
section repeating the commutation, settled the
matter for the present at least. There was very
little excitement manifested, but the House wa;
very full and the vote large If the war is to &c
on the repeal ofthe communication clause In regard
ed as necessity, butt is evident that netherCon
gresS nor the people that are preparation it yet.
The question of the adjournment of Congress j:
constantly agitated The Democrats are ready al
any Inoment- The administration menare anxiou.
tcsecure the passage Of all the important measures
and all are working industriousy to get then
through fins week. 1t is expected that they viii
all be through by Thursday of next week.
In answer to . resolution OF the House the Sec
retary Of the Treasury furnishes statement oftht
public debt of the United States up to June IA
1864, the totals of which are as follows
Debt bearing interest in coin s97, ,94l 09
Debt bearing interest lawful money 80.
Debt which interest has eeased........... 370l7
Debt bearing SOL $685. TO-
us, ,995 l6