Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-24
MORNING LEADER.
WEDNESDAY MORN1NG, AUGUsT ?.


The news from the various quarters con-
tinues TO be of absorbing interest. Gen.
Grant, who persists in not being beaten
when the rebels are mathematically posi-
tive he ought to be, has not given himself up
to inactivity. Robert Lee very much mis-
took his man if he supposed that failure
at one point would oblige Grant to let go
hold upon Richmond. Our forces are re-
ported to have obtained permanent posses
sion of the Weldon Railroad, at least so
permanent that repeated, desperateassaults
upon our forces have failed to dislodge them
from their position. As we have repeated
ly asserted the uninterrupted possession of
the two lines of railroad running south
from Richmond via Weldon & Danvilles is
absolutely necessary TO holding Richmond
The rebels must give up their Capitol or
MAINTAIN the railroads intact Hence the
desperation with which they essay tore
take the Weldon road.
From Sheridan's Aarmy we have the
report that the Western Virginia portion
of it had brisk engagement with the en-
envy at Charleston. 1t looks as though
the rebels might again venture TO cross
the Potomac in the region of Martinsburg.
This however is not probable, go long as
Sheridan's main army remains in Virginia
and in possession of the passes in the
Blue Ridge. 1t has been difficult from the
telegraphic reports iully to understand the
necessity of falling back with his fine army
before Early. The following from the
New York Times seems to have been writ
ten with a fuller understanding of all the
facts in the case, than is generally possess
ed. It details the reasons for the retreat
and explains Sheridan's present position.
The arect causes leading to Sheridan's
concentration of his line may be briefly
summed up thus: The great openings in
the mountain ridges at Thoroughfare and
Smokers Gap had to be closed before his
rear could be considered safe. The pres
ence of Mosbys men in the counties cas-
of the Blue Ridge, within an easy days
ride of the highway for our wagon trains
in the Shenandoah Valley, had been less
an element in the calculations than 1t
should have been. The advance Of Long
streets men had been looked for iCest, in
stead Of east of the Ridge. And the army
supplies insufficient for q campaign OF long
duration. At the same time our army has
suffered 10 reverse; for the affair at Berry
g vile can hardly come into that category
It has not been worn out with ezces-
sive marching. 1t is simply drawn in fol
a more effective arrangement of the cam
paign. The two weeks it has passed be-
tween Bolivar Heights and Strasburgf
have not geen misspent, five take moth
ing more into account than that the rebel
have been forced into defensive position,
and that their raids on the Upper POto
mac at least are at an end for this season
With a splendid army thoroughly in hsnC
at point which viii enable him to com
mand all the mountain passes, Sheridan
will be able to take the offensive anew, o
simply remain on the defensive, with al
equal certainty that he can prevent tn
recurrence of Earley's raiding operations
That he will choose the offensive "
need have little doubt, whether Earl
shows disposition to come east Of Win
chester or not. Our force is ample for th
task it has in hand, and we look with con
Rdence to the account it shall have give
Of itself before much time shall have elaI
sed.
We publish to-day late intelligence fro1
Sherman's army. No change, howeve
has taken place. 1t is evident that th
rebels have collected large militia fore
made up of old men and boys, at Atlanti
Our lines stretch as much as fourteen mile
and yet Sherman's army is confronted
all points. This shows what great value
attached to the possession of Atlant
The rebel cavalry raid on his rear, u
der Wheeler, has effected nothing wha
ever. They are now reported betwe'
Chattanooga and Knoxville, with Gener
Foster in front of them and General Stea
man behind They may have consider
ble difficulty in getting back again. TIL
may try to reach the road between Bridg
port and Nashville, but still can do no i
jury of consequence.
We give full details from Mobile pt
tanning to various interesting matters.