The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-08-26
The Movements on the James.

The movement on the James, which be-
gan Oh Saturday evening last, aud was pro-
secuted still further on Sunday. Monday
and Tuesday, promises to be one having q
most important bearing upon tho war in the
vicinity of Richmond. SO far as the move
mont has unfolded itself, on Saturday.
lIancocks corps was embarked ut City
Point on board the transports which have
beon 80 much talked OF, aud we're shortly In
motion down the James iu full view OF the
robcls. After going down the river ton miles,
they turned about aud during SuiordAy
night sailed up the river, and were landed
at Deep Bottom near Dutch Gap. Dutch
Gap is the neck of land that CONNECTS q
peninsula or leland as Il is called, formed by
a circuitous bend in the James river above
Bermuda Hundred aud with tho main land.
The bend in tho river is over six miles.
while the Gap is less than oBe-third Of q
mile in length. The peninsula thus formed
is named Farrars Island. under the lee Of
which thero are rebel gunboats and obstruc-
tions in tho river. Tho canal being dug by
General Butler, is with the Wow OF turning
the curront OF tho river through the gap,
thus leaving the gupboats in the river high
and dry, unloss thoy choose to get out, and
also getting rid OF tho chief obstruc ,ions 10
the river, leaving nothing but Fort Darling
to contest the advance of our boats to the
city of Richmond.
Hancock's corps was landed at Dutch Gap
on Saturday uight. '"
On Sunday morning the 9th corps, NOV
ing. crossed the river on pontoon bridge,
at 2 A. NJ, and took up such position that
they could rako tho enemy's limos from left
to right, and tho Second from righ. to left,
whlo tho gunboats could play upon tho CEN
tor and diagonally to tho right. Compare
lively littlo fighting occurred during tho
day. The object of tho movement on Mon
day was to swing our forces round upon tho
james River, opposite Fort Darling. taking
possession of the Balls Bluff fortifcations
from tho rear, and clearing that side of the
river OF tho enemy up to tho fortlficaticns
of Richmond-then. with our right against
tho Notifications of Richmond, and our left
against those Of Petersburg, with q way
from right to loft, by which we could switch
our whole army upon either city at a mo-
moDis notice. General Loe would bo given
his election to evacuate one or the other of
these places. .t.. - ... -.t I'd.
At dark, on Monday night, tho enomy
were being driven towards the James river
and tho Qualifications of Richmond. On
Tuesday our forces had reached point on
tho Contra road within six miles of Rich.
mond. tho line of battle facing the river in
tho direction of Fort Darling rather than
toward Richmond. During Tuesday our
troops did some splendid charging, The
negro troops again exhibited, great cou rage
and enthusiasm. The object had in Wow by
General Grant in this new movement, is not
of course, clearly understood by tho public.
1t may bo seen. however, that II he succeeds
in gaining strong position on the northern
bank of tho James, that his army will be
able, at any time, to close upon either Pc
torsburg or Richmond. e .r.a t..r
Tho reinforcements which Lee 10 reported
to have sent into tho Valley. may be with
drawn, and Sheridan will then push on
against Lynchburg, as has been bis inten.
ton. ''-'' '-'H '" 'f. '.'
Those who have imagined that Grant had
given up operations about Richmond. are
very much mistaken. On the contrary, he
will press tho rebels at every point, no mat.
tor how much tho Copper heads mag whine,
or tho robels predict bis withdrawai for tho
dofonso Of Washington. The rebel army
will yet be defeated If tho people will only
stand by the soldiers Citvc. Leader, .7u.
gust 10. "'' '' ~0''>i'f Zoe