Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-06-24

we're known 10 be very formidable works and the char
acier OF the intervening country, alternate swamps and
rolling hills, made them exceedingly difficult to ap.
prosch General Grant was therefore apparently brought
to stand STILL Il seemed out Of the question for him
to make another movement by the left hapk to avoid
these strong works Of the enemy for such mar
would uncover Washington. At the same time General
Buters column was confined almost entirely TO the de-
ensve and just 80 much unavailable force, greatly
wanted for cooperation, but mott hand for use.
Tia. was the state Of affairs on Sunday last aud most
people, even some of the impatient ones had made up
their minds that some considerable time must eapse be-
fore there could be any decisive eclon. But see how
General Grants grand genius for moving large armies
and for overcoming difficulties has changed all that
From Sunday to Wednesday is but three days. but In
that brief time the column under Hunter, Crook and
AVerl placed in position to cover Washington from
any enterprise Lee might be desperate enough to at
tempt. Grant once more moves by the left aank be-
yond Lees elaborate distractions; General Buffers
column Is liberated so as 10 take the offensive Smith
aud Hancock battering down the defeuces OF Pc
tersburg and General Grants whole army ia moving
against Richmond the south side Of the James river
and on lis weakest point.
If the scribes Of the American press had not made
strong word feeble by their abuse of it we should be
tempted 10 call such far-reacbing combinations tuch
rapid movements and such brilliant results, truly Ma
psleonic
Ithas been observed that some people thought Gen.
Grant had come TO stand still on the Ohckahominy
had studied his other campaigns felt well assured that he
would halt but very short time there or anywhere
else.
He ia operating now very much as he did in his
YcksburS campaign, no. only With regard to his fire.
ouent change Of base but with respect to his
ency in seeking the right point of attack When the
direct attack upon ChickaaW Bluffs failed under Shpr
man, Grant tried the canal opposite the city. When it
was found that that would not work, he tried success
svely YaZoo Pass, Sunhower river, Lake Providence
and Steeles Bayou After the failure of all these he
ran hs transports through the gauntlet of the Vcks
burg batteries marching his troops overland through
Louisiana crossed the Mississippi at Bruinsburg and
headed once for Vcksburg by the Southern route
the only not previously tried. He fought several
battles and several victories the way just as 40
has nov commenced doing after crossing the James
His Generals while route, gobbled up cor siderable
bodies of the enemy and large members of guns lust as
Smith did on Wednesday. He def 4cted from straight
line TO capture jackson and cripple Johnston ust as
he'id the other day 10 capture Petersburg and whip
Beauregard.
How suggestive is all this The same bold and bril-
liant strategy the confusion and discontinue to
the enemy. The same ndomitabe purpose to dcover
the right point for his attack who doubt the same
umate suecessS Grant will try all ways and hold fast
to that which is good Tenacly the very essence of
his composition.
Let it be borne in mind that Hunters column is in
just the position either Washington, or to cut
Lee of from the Southwest and that Grant having uni
mond n great force is weakest side and in position
to cut Lee off upon the south.
When the reader las done this, he will have fair idea
of the glorious change made in the situation by the
movements of the frs; four days Of the present week.
FINANCIAL.
The news Of the capture of Petersburg had most
celebrating effect upon the Northern Mid and market
Gold fell from 1877 to 1868.
TWO DAYS LATER.
We received after twelve o'clock last night through
the courtesy of officer of high rank, copy of the
Philadelphia Inquirer Of Monday last, June 90
So far spent the night tina. We have only time to
stats that the present number oil the Iuqurer
that Petersburg has not been taksn although the Yam
army is within $500 yards of the rebel city and can
plainly see the spires and seeples of the churches-
The Inquirer adds:
Down to o'clock Saturday morning the city OF
Petersburg was still held by the rebels, though Badly
Smith had captured the very strong works to the north
east on Wednesday, followed by the capture of other
parts of their lines by Hancock Thursday, and still
others Burnside Friday. From the obsinac of the
rebel Defence and from the fact that Grant is pushing
forward his troops to ioow up the success" we Judge
that there is still considerable work to be done at that
point rive should think So
Gold JOG Is