The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-06-08

everything tAas impeded ths eelsTity q their move
merts and counned themselves 70 the double object Of
defeating the army Of Gen Leo In battle and Of closing
N the rebel sapisasshe grand objecvs point Of the
campaign. They have succeeded IN both 70 the fuf
exsens Of their expectations Whenever tho rebel
general has riskeA column Of troops In open battle
has been fairly and signay defeated and whenever he
has attempted strategic movement, II has either been
thwsrted In its very inception made 10 subssrve
own designs On the contrary whenever the rebel army
was found inrsnched that an assault was dangerous
or uncerain, thedspostion and q troops
have been marked and mastery and shs enemy entirely
deceived until powsress interfere with successful 60
eomplshmenl
mn oHsMAIsHD pHRLAYD on BON mDA
Yet cannot be denied that great success AAs been
mainly due 70 superior generalship. We have won
Victories that could In any be considered decisive
Whenever the rebels have hanrded an engagement
they have been terribly cut up and driven from the ns
Of battle but their wary eommander has never allowed
his army TO be entrappsd Into position whore all would
depend on single battle. Ever since the second days
contest In the Wilderness he has taciy ACKNOWLEDGED
tho Sighting superiority Of this army, and avoided battle
on equal terms. His stands have since been made be-
hind inireuchmeDss, and when these were turned be
rereatsd 70 Others His plan has evidently been 70 op
pose and delay the advance Of this army often and o.
long ~ possible.
1m ARMy o. nn POTOMAC
mo movements Of the Army Of She Potomac have
been rapid and brilliant throughout this cam.
pagn; but the time approaches whom these must
assume another phase. Within . month Il has
travesaed many miles Of difaculs roads, forced the
abandonment Of many strong military Positions and won
several hazd fought battles. II was alert, active and
constantly IN motion but the character Of s operations
will hencef0rward be materially changed.
uyr,Sv
has been driven into his outer line OF intrenchmen do
Tending Richmond. Tho city b between six and eight
miles distant from nearest points OF occupation In the
vicinity OF Coal Harbcr and Gaines Mil. Every rod Of
intervening ground s probably being put the best pos
sble condition Of defence. The rebels reinforced by
every available man, and may namber as high eighty
I've thousand troops To destroy such well constructed
works. defended by powerful foe, will consume more
time than the public at large may expect and is by far
the most gigantic undertaking OF the war; To this all
the energies OF the commanders are now bent
THE RICHMOND AND RIVER RAILROAD
s being rebuilt by the government under the supervision
or Mr. Henry the original contractor for most Of the
bridges on the ue including the present over the
Chickahomlny Over three miles OF iron was towed to
tue whio House barges to be used in It's reconsruc
ton and on Saturday force Of oight hundred
menced putting down the track. few davs win suffice
70 extend II to Savage station from which place tho
army can be easily supplied by wagons.
ARRIVAL or GENERAL BARNARD
Tho arrival and location At General Grant headquar
quarters OF General Barnard the finest engineers
Of the Unel states army looked upon as another ev
dence that speedy entry into chmond uced not be an
ticpated The rebels have the temporary destiny Of
Richmond in their own hands; but discord crecps in
among their commanders popular discomfort be sum-
centy powerful TO enforce It's demands, lie resistance
may be computed by days instead OF weeks or months
Wc shall see.
THE FORMATION OUR LINE
has also been somewhat changed since the date Of my
last despatch II is now running nearly para le 10 the
Chckahominy n its direction, but ID exceedingly
irregular and zgzag throughO~t t1entire length The
right formed by Burnsides corps tho right centre by
Smiths corps the left centre by wrght corps and the
left By Hanoocks. warrens corps moved lass night
from s old position right OF the line to new ono
in or the centre, The line compact
and mobile.
the y,or SUNDAY ncH1
The moving Of ths corps In the night put the rebels
the alert, and led 70 ths nost furious fusilading
and caunonadng ever heard along thresfourths Of
The line II began the let, whore Hancock
changing brigadss, which may have been mis-
taken for advance and night assault pa From
eight Nll nine O'Clock the firing WAS terrific
beyond description, and led every one 10 sup
pose the rebels had concentrated for . sight
assault On Hancock. Az gradually subsidsd,
Without any apparent change Of position s character
WAS suspected Dispatches from The different corps oom
mandsrs soon pot all misAs Fsss rhe loss was quite
lrining killed and wounded, and attempt WAS made
BY either party 70 drive the other from his possioo The
whole affair began IN misappreheasos and taken up
and continued along the line for hour In ths darkness
Of night