The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-09
Gen. Grant and his Campaign.
For Members Of Congress.

4
The London Telegraph, journal which has
omitted no opportunity, heretofore, TO show
hostility to our cause and disparage our Gen.
erals in the field, says: No vulgar man, no
mere idol of an hour, is this Ulysses Grant,
who, by sheer hard work and honest fighting,
has raised himself from position OF obscurity
TO one OF almost unlimited command, and who,
a virtue not often possessed by the military
celebrities of the United States, is still modest
and unassuming." 1t is indeed true that Grant
Is modest and unassuming. notwithstanding
the large space he occupies in the public heart
Of his country, and the attention he attracts
from the civilized world.
The London Times, following in the wake
ri our Copperhead papers, and feeling dispos-
ed to help the rebels as far as it can and keep
elaborate leader in which it is attempted to be
shown that Grant might have reached his
present base of operations without firing gun
or losing man. And supposing he had fol-
lowed in the track of Mcclellan and crossed
the Peninsula to his present position, where
would Lee and his army have been, and what
would they have been doing in the mean time ?
This is very important question, and one
which must no. be lost to sight, If one wishes
to form a correct judgment of the whole mat
ter. Mcclellan, after the lapse of some three
months, did reach the vicinity of Richmond,
and saw the church steeples of that city, or
some of his more daring officers and soldiers
were blessed with that sight. But what did
all that amount to? He stretched out his ar
my some twenty-five miles over the swamps of
much coveted opportunity of breaking his line
and disturbing all his arrangements. Lees
army was fresh and full of fight, and Mcclellan
had lost prestige, and bis hosts were disheart-
ened and began to feel as If this swamp was
rather tight place to be in. Now came the
great retreat, and the army and the loyal peo-
pie OF the North began to breathe easy again
when Mcclellan had found place that was
somewhat free from danger.
1t was said at the time that this retreat was
mastery one, and showed great generalship.
Be 1t so. And yet the cause that compelled
this retreat was any thing but pleasant to 10y
al hearts. The result of all this mighty move
ment of large army was-they marched to
the swamps OF the Chickahominy aud then
marched back again, but with great loss. And
Lee, his army and the people OF Richmond
laughed at the great manoeuvre, attended the
theatres, danced at balls and took life easy
But we ask In all seriousness how stands the
case? What are the emotions Of the citizsns
of Richmond and Petersburg at this time?
How do Lee and his army feel since the bat
ties Of the Wilderness, and the hanking move
men,s of Grant? Has nothing been gained for
our cause by this overland march to Richmond
and Petersburg? Ask the rebel General what
his opinion is. He could give an answer il he
were disposed, which would satisfy the most
timid and anxious enquirer. He could say in
truth that his army has been weakened, its
power broken, its ranks thinned, and he him
self been out-generaled by the indomitable
Grant at every turn.
We all know that the fortunes of war are al
ways more or less uncertain, but ia the pres
emit aspect OF affairs in and about Richmond
we fnd nothing discouraging We believe
this overland march TO the rebel Capital has
many advantages over any other that could
have been taken. From the hour Grant cross
ed the Rapidan he has gone steadily and stur-
Oily along, fighting when attacked and repel-
ing his desperate assaiiants, assaulting the en-
emy's strongly fortified positions when deem
ed necessary, and avoiding them by flank
movements well planned and admiralty exc
cuted, when circumstances required and insti-
fed it. When Lee least expected it, Grant
would withdraw from the front of his shrewd
antagonist without being observed, avoiding
his entertainments, and pursuing his course to-
wards the rebel capital much to the chagrln
and disappointment of his willy foe. Such was
the course pursued by Grant on his march to
Richmond.
And again, the question may be asked, what
has been gained to our cause by these move
ments? What have been the legitimate re-
suits thus far? The battles fought in the "Wil-
derness,' costly as they were to us, and more
80 to the rebels, are full OF advantages to us.
They did much to break the military power OF
the rebels, and to show Lee that he had not a
Mcclellan to deal with this time. Bloody "a
they were, we believe that blood was not shed
in vain. 1t may yet turn out that the battles
were the great and decisive struggles, and that
they have precluded the necessity of fighiinr
other great battles ere Petersburg and Rich
mond fall. The present aspect OF affairs in
that quarter seems TO strengthen such belief.
In addition to all this, Grant has taken 900
prisoners, and The rebels admit loss of 20, 600
killed and wounded. When rebels make such
an admission, we may be quite sure that double
the number would come nearer the truth. We
believe they have lost in Virginia, since Grant
crossed the Rapidan, at least 10000 men
most Of them their bravest and best. Our
wounded are better cared for than theirs. Be-
ing attended by good physicians, and aided by
the Sanitary Commission, thousands of our
wounded soldiers soon return to the ranks A.
gain.
1t will be kept In mind by the careful read
or that Lee has constantly avoided battle In an