Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-07-01

To the natural query as to where Lees ar
my lie, I can speak with no full assurance,
There may be a corps in front of Butler, and
it is we'll known that, FIVE days ago, Ewelis
corps was sent after Hunter. The other corps
ia probabably preparing another defensive
line In case Petersburg should fall.
And this is the most unfavorablo conse-
quence Of the unhappy failure TO take Peters
burg it gives the rebels time to form their
plans, make their disposition and en'er on
expeditions OF the nature Of diversions, while
the integrity Of their railroad communications
allows them the opportunity Of receiving re-
Inducements.
have endeavored in this review Of the
situation TO set it down freely and fairly as
it stands. lf it is not precisely as enoourag-
ing as might have been hoped shall have
msconveyed my own impressions, il it j.
taken to be discouragihg. 1t can be discour'
aging only to those whose absurd illusions
respecting the work before this army should
long ago have been dissipated by the expert
ences Of the past fifty days campaign. There
is no let-up with this army it is determined
TO go through with the business in hand, and
it will go through with it if it be but ad-
equalely sustained. Peterburg presents pre-
oisely such problem as we have already had
half dozen times before in the course Ct
this campaign. 1t will be solved by instru
mentalities precisely similar to those thai
have solved all the others--it will be either
carried or turned"
The concluding portion Of the communi.
cation is as follows
During the night Of Friday, the enemy
abandoned all that position of the second lin,
spktcb Nd -
previous days, and retired to the third line
which they had meanwhile been construct
ing. Hereupon, the commanding Genera
resolved to make an assault along the who'll
line for the purpose Of carrying the town
This action, therefore, separates itself from
the assaults Of the two previous days. which
may be looked upon as OF the nature Of pre-
lminary operations. This was an actor
which was designed to be decisive Of opera
tons on the present position. Three differ
ent assaults were made during the day--a
four in the morning, at noon. and at four II
the afternoon Space would fail me, even i
IT was possible for you, away from TIT
ground, TO appreciate the maze Of tactic
through which the bloody action Of Saturda,
wrought its way We gained ground i
brought our front close up to the rebel lines
but 1t Jailed to give us the coveted position
and after severe losses on the part Of the 2d
9th and 9Th corps, night found the enem,
still in possession of bis works covering Pc
tersburg.
Since the indecisive engagement Of Satur
day, there has, up to tue hour Of writing
been no renewal of the attempt to carry tn,
lines Of Petersburg
OF The prospect know nothing more thai
the suggestions of inference but the lull J.
Of a kind similar 70 that which followed th
action at Coal Harbor and ] hazard th
prediction that you may once more turn you
eyes away from the front held by the con
fronting force, and endeavor to coniectur,
what new stroke will be made by the fertil,
brain that has already displayed such fe-tili
ty of resources, in campaign without ts
parallel in the history of warfare"