New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-19
THE CAMPAIGN.

Tho Secretary of War does not hesitate 10
announce that the roads in Virginia are greatly
improved. that large rceniorcementS had
reached Gen. Grant, and that he designed 70
move against tho enemy without delay.
statement so open implies unlimited confidence
in the ability of Gen. Grant 10 deal on his own
terms with al enemy iorewarned OF his inten-
tons. Believing that confidence well founded,
we have no criticism to offer on tho reyela-
tons of the Secretary. Moreover, they do not
really convey any information Of which Lee
would not be otherwise possessed. Ot the roads
and their condition he knows as much as Gen.
Grant OF tho srIiva! Of re6niorccments he Is
kept informed by his own spes. OF the III
tention of Gen. Grant to move against him
without delay his knowledge of the unrecntlng
determination of his adversary would sufficient
" assure him. In point of fact, therefore, Lee
is not indebted to Mr. Stanton for any dis
closure of important intelligence. The really
vital question to him il, in what direction Will
Grant advance and whether the impctuous as.
saut of which he has already felt the force is to be
renewed against the front of his strengthened
lines or whether, as We rather believe, Gen.
Grant will undertake to turn the formidable
works which now line the northeastern bank Of
the Pc, and as by his first crossing of the Rap-
dan to place himself once more decislvely on the
flank of his enemy. The movement seems pos
siblc, and:very probable-all the more because it
will assume control of the Fredericksburg and
Richmond turnpike below the Courthouse,
and will threaten also the line of tho North
Anna, which is presumably the next position
that Lee will attempt to hold when driven from
the Pc. Two or three days Of sunshine will
settle all such questions Meanwhile there Is
no cause for impotence. The Virginia roads
aro not always muddy-not since Mcclellan
was relieved from cOmmand-nor will Gen.
Grant wait till they arc as hard as Belgian
pavement before he puts bis artillery in motion.
There will be news enough, we venture to
think, before the week is over.
Gen. Sigels defeat at Newmarket on Sunday
was unfortunate. as il impars the completeness
OF Grants scheme for the isolation of the Rebel
army in Virginia. OF course, his effort against
Charlottesville and Gordonsyillc is at en- end,
and Leo may count on tho undispu,ed posses
sion OF those important dcpots and perhaps
even call large part of Breckinridge'S forces to
bis aid.
The operations Of Gen. Crook arc moro on
couragng. That enterprising commander has
fought three battles near Ncwbern, Pulaski
County, Va, defeating Morgan Jones and
jenkins with loss of COO Rebel killed and
wounded, and 800 prisoners; has destroyed the
railway bridge on the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad and some miles Of the track near it,
and il within 100 miles Of Lynchburg. Had
Sigcl succeeded in the Shenandoah, Crook would
have been able to push on with little obstruc
ton AS it il, the Rebel force seems likely to be
sufficient to guard both that place aid Lynch
burg. Sgels defeat was two days later than
tho latest dates from Gen Crook at Newbern;
but even if the latter were to push forward at
once and without opposition, he could scarcely
reach Lynchburg as soon as a detachment sent
BIZ Breckenridge, which has less distance and
better roads 10 traverse, and which viii bas re-
tarded by none OF the obstacles that must attend
a column of invasion in an cnemy's country.