New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-30
ILLIYoIAE.
Importance OF the New Fcsidon-ES 'en' CT
Our Liacs-Grant's AGvnnfnsc-Preeari-
GUS Condition of lee - Refrospeetive--
Shortcomings of the Csmpaign-Loss
Gpporiunities-yy what might have been.

GPportUnitics-What might nave Sten'
From Our Special Correspondent;
HEADQUARTERS or GEg. BuTLga
Sunday. August IS. ln6i. }
The limo now held by these armies is so long that
it is beyond one mans capacity TO be eyewitness
of all Of even the most important events which oc-
cur. Everybody in the army depends upon thcNew
York papers for knowledge Of what the army does.
Even corps commanders have no other means Of
learning details Of movements wherein their own
corps do not participate.
OF the heavy battle of Thursday on the Weldon
road nothing is yet known here definitely 1t was
twenty miles South Of here-left of here-beyond
the province of your correspondent at these head
quarters, and beyond the path Of duty Of anyone on
the hitler side of the Appomattox. Perhaps one
third of tho soldiers Of Grants army are not yet
aware that their comrades have again been in battle.
II follows therefore, that If would write at all
70. rpecuia.o on the general situation, c,-
up letter of unimportent rnatter-in fact, create
letter.
One fact, which may, think, he s'"'eS'i is pree-
nant with world Of meaning The railroad now,
and for some time in operation from City Point 10
the yerv confines Of Petersburg, is to be extended
e;cbt miles 70 Wanens position on the Weldon
road. south ofthe city. The preliminary survey has
been completed and II is calculated that 1t can be
built-the bed graded, track laid, and ears running
in ten or fifteen daysl
Enough Of rails have been reserved from the de-
fructjop of the Weldon road to lay the entire dis
tance. The purpose which this indicates is appa-
reDt-peed not be enlarged upon. That the occu-
nation Of Petersburg would make Richmond I'M
tenabe is conceded by the Rebels. Let Grant reHeh
md hold all the railroads south OF Petersburg ana
II amounts TO the same thereducton OF That city
He now semi -crcumvallates the city with Schain
Of strong works which may be held with slender
force. He holds from point due north TO point
due south-let him reach around until he shah be
due west cutting the Lynchburg road, and the end
will not be far distant. And while doing this the
Rebel leaders must look ost that he does not pierce
their line at some point which they may happen at
sometime to hold but weakly. Grant has a choice
of thirty miles where TO stTikei and lot him attack
at any point, the Rebels must concentrate therei
and still Grant may reserve lis decision whether TO
make the movement more than fcint III he secs
success within his grasp, then push on there.
Ifhe finds the enemy massed upon his point Of
attack-fnds that he has none of the advantage
of surprise, then and there, while that movement
shall still seem TO be pressed with all his might he
may strike elsewhere on the line, or project that
line another reach Of the clasp about petersburg
The result is not the less certain, 10 all the more
certain that in the nature of the case IL cannot DC
comprised save by slow steps. 1t will be the sure
end which al ways follows when great ability, Weld
ing great means, uses the testind hnte. Much, oil
course, depends on how promptly tho strategy
which Grant must from time TO timo bnng into
play shall be seconded by those intrusted with its
execution. IT, TIC handling of great army every
thing hinges on time.
This is no new truth, bat one that hos had
score Of almost startling illustrations in this cam
paign. Time and again movement has been uueily
foilcd; or only partially successful which should
have been grand triumph and would have been
but for the slowness Of some body of troops Inc
nick of time passed and they did not reach the hok
Of place. A certain corps was to have occupied
Spottsylyania at q certain hour. Had it done SO, II
would have interposed between the wings OF Lee
army, and that day must have destroyed the enemy
Wilson's Cavalry got Oh the ground, cleared IL o.
Rebel cavalry, skirmished with Longstreet coming
from one direction. and with Hill coming from IN
other-and at the same time Warren was attacking
Hills rear. McIntosh's one brigade OF Cavalry heio
the gap for hours and vainy waited TOT tha' Oo'p'
which should have been there-hed IT a. a foriori
hope willing 70 hold 1t at any price, u that Corp
you'd only como.