New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-17
THE GREAT CONTEST.
FROM THE ARMY OF THE JAMES.
Practienbiiity Of Taking Richmcpd-Why
the Movement Is not Eade-Eebei Re-
llance on McCieiIan's Elecsion-EfoPe-
less Weakness Of the Rebels.
Fpsm Oar special CoTrespondent.
HEADQUARTERS OF The Army or THE JANIS
uIn..Inr INT IL lhbl.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY or THE JANIS.
"Wednesday, sept IA, ioo''
There is authority for the statement thst Inc
Lieut. General is convinced that that The FORCES nov
hsre-the Army Of the Potomac and inc Army Vi 'Le
Janes-is competent. without the adul"on % nun "
a.. v.d,c,io, oe Richmond whether by defeat OF the
Rrl army and consequent evacuitlon OF the cry! or
Nv defeat of n at army. which shall carry the city with
H. Then why IL the army quiet why IS II not put TO
work and the task accomplished lit Is asked If there
n force enough here now, Why not use that force at
once and gain the end erdenty desired For this
reason--a reason too, that is conclusive that Gen.
Grant not the cold. calculating fnty -hearted Com
nander the man utterly regardless Of human lives and
AMMAN suffering which Rebels and Copperheads would
have as believes and reason moreover which appeals
90 all who have friends in the army. and who have not
friends In the army.
Gen. Grant believes that Il would BE- unjust TO these
men who have gone through so much. who are the
heroes of 90 many battles and the chosen mracu
busly preserved while many of tloir comrades nave
fallen Gen Grant believes that IL would be an unnec
sssary and unustabe sacrifice 10 subject these to the
1xses OF another series Of battles when it 10 within HE
power 20 30 soon and largely reinforce item and thus
distribute loss If further loss there must be- among
larger number, perhaps. enable lim by means o.
larger army. TO achieve the same end with FAR less sac
rfce of life. These by virtue Of heroisn and bap
tsm of fire and blood. have become the Old Guard OF
xe Republic and i grievous wasiaee OF tried
and precious things sacrce these In other than the
Republics extremtyand. thank Godi that extremity
n past And You remember that Napoleons Old "u"rd
vas never called upon except in The last extremity IN
lsAs it 10 ride the crest Of victory and make ~
sriumyh. No, these veterans will be subjected 10 no
uuealed for sacrifice aud when they again called
~. a.a1 nv hon
Gdes.
Do seem to be writing very hopefnllyf hope am
Otlerwise, should not be true TO my convictions.
lave been with the army since the first day Of May.
have participated in lis feelings Of depression aud Of ex
uiiaton and but participate in its present hope and
spirit when write bopefully-for believe that
1.-THE gods who live forever
Are on oar side to day.
There l. warrant for the belief. Gen. Batter who.
rexAsp by natural parts and the training Of lifetime.
b best fitted OF all the generals Of the army comprehend
e situation he certainly Is in point Of opportunities
fr pertinent and ieleya ant and conclusive information
general Butler warranted in stating. believes
thst the Rebels have only ground of hopeonly
bond Of that is that the pending election
may result their favor; In other wordsmay result in
favor Of the Copperheads. and their Chicago nominee
And as all in the army believe THAT Mcclellan will not
the Retes to lean that hope is TO lean on broken
reed and accordingly they expect to see the whole
rebel concern fall apart and go down sooD aer NqVem'
bcr-as well from all less Of hope the part OF the
Gsbes from the potency Of the Union armies, whose
pu,ssant blows will fall again and again before that time
BY reference TO Tie Richmond HhiS which mailed
% you last night you will that on their own caoula
ton there remains in the whole South but 900 men
hsxeen the ages OF is and 50. These they style e.
ssp<. By enactment Of their Congress all residents be-
exeen thoss aas In thes military service. From
these exemps only they recruit their armies. But
shsse 1872 0cO are all who have been detailed for
duty considered. up TO this time virtually important
service in the army. and not all OF them, nor any
large proportion Of them be spared from their pres
snt avooations-as oyerseers Of plantations work
nen in the Confederate srsenals manufacturers OF
sr.icles which must be obtained. Hence there is
baas OF addition 20 their armies They have already
robbed the cradle and the grave and to-day there Ii
ot left ~ them even the Of tho Imperial city
when
" Sempron'us Atratius
Was left in charge nj home
With boys aud with gray headed men.
10 keep the gates " Rome
@. A p