The New York herald., 1864-09-30

active Pork was Hrmer, with fair demand. Beef and
lard quiet, but arm whiskey rmer. and frelghts dull
Tn. Renewal OF Active Operations on
the North side OF james River.
General Grant reports successful advance
Of the Nineteenth and Tenth corps on the
north side of the James, with the capture OF
fifteen guns and few hundred prisoners
Generals Ord and Birney advanced simulta-
neously-the former on the left to Chapin's
farm, and the latter from Deep Bottom against
the large fort on New Market Hill that covers
yarina road reaches it. On Chapin's farm is
the James river extremity OF that line of rebel
defences that encircles Richmond on the east
and north, and runs rs far as the New Bridge
road General Ord carried the enemy's posi-
ton at Chapin's farm, and apparently cap
tured all the guns in it. General Birney did
equally we'll at New Market Hill, and at ten
A. NJ. yesterday was on his way to Richmond,
and only about eight miles distant from 1t
Thus the attention Of the country is once
more drawn, with intense interest, to tie
theatre of war under the immediate eye oil the
Lieutenant General. Whatever may be Gene
raj Grants real object. it is certainly quite
within tie range of possibility that the
capture of Richmond may crown his
latest movement on the north side OF the
river. Our readers cannot have forgotten the
former operations in the same district and
how Lee was kept on the move to and fro
across the James, aud how on one occasion
especially, but for great blunder, such an
operation would have given US a very decided
advantage in the struggle. Latterly, however,
Grant seemed to have relinquished oil attempts
on the north side OF the river, and to be in
tent only on the Southern railroads. Hence
the danger to Richmond appeared to be great
est on those roads, and out Of the necessities OF
the case the larger part Of Lees force was
drawn that way.
Lee has had very good and almost impera.
tive reasons for concentration of troops on
his own right-Grant's extreme left His con-
stant desire and hope to regain the Weldon
road was one. His fear that Grant would ad-
vance toward the Southside railroad was
another. His drawing supplies from the lower
end Of the Weldon road by wagons also made
infantry near 70 prevent the total loss Of that
means of supply by the operations of our
cavalry. Grant had thus forced Lee to
concentrate very large, perhaps the greater,
part OF his troops at point whers they could
not be readily available for operations on the
north side Of the river. And for the defencea
on the north side Lee could only spare an in
considerable force. Sheridan's operations may
have also compelled Lee to send to Early some
portion even of that force, and thus almost de-
nuded the desences Of the rebel capital.
Such are some Of the circumstances which,
to say the least, render it not impossible that
the city may fall into the hands Of Birney. But
even if the capture of Richmond be not intend
cd or hoped for, there are other very important
objects to be gained by the movement Grant,
we must remember; is now in communication
with Sheridan, and the movement may be in.
tended for Sheridan's benefit. If Lee has mol
already reinforced Early it will delay such q
reinforcement still longer, and thus give Sheri
dan full time to do what may remain to be done
against Early as we'll as full time for the com
plete and positive destruction between Stauntor
and Charlottesville OF the important Virgins
Central Railroad We incline to the opinion
that cooperation with Sheridan is the real Sig
nifcance Of the movement; yet lucky accident
might change its character.