The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-06-03
~ Al, Nj Ws.

His army was then south OF the North
Anna river, having crossed success
fully against a determined opposition
on the part OF the enemy. We now
have news to Friday evening. On
Thursday 1t was discovered that Lee
was in very strong position OH the
South Anna, which as was the case
at Spottsylyania, had been previously
fortified. Grant, thercupon, deter
mined on another flank movement,
and on Thursday night his army, un-
der cover Of feints made upon the en-
iemy, quietly recovered North Anna,
and moved his whole army rapidly
'southward, to the East OF Hanover
C.. III aud struck the Pamunky river
ut Hanovertown which the lett wing
of the army crossed successfully
Grants headquarters were then Mt
Manohick Church about sixteen miles
from Richmond. This, OF course,
forces Lee s abandonment of his for.
'tii!cations on the South Anna, and
there are reports that he was already
in full retreat for Richmond. 1t
would require quiet movement on
the part of the enemy to prevent
Grant from getting between him and
Richmond; but it is probable he will
make the necessary time, and II so
his next halt will be inside the for
tiRcations Of the rebel Capital. Next
to compelling Lee to fight him on fair
ground, this is probably what Grant
prefers, and if the rebel army get into
Richmond, the effort will be made to
bcsiege the city Grant will now
throw forward his base of supplies
again, from Port Royal on che Rapp-
ahannock, to York river. Hanover
town, where our left was ON Saturday
is only five miles from the Nhite
House, which was McClellan's base
during one period of the Penins'llar
campaign. From White House to
Buttler's position on james river, Is
is about twenty miles. 1t is probable
therefore. that both armies will soon
form junction. Grant has now
made three of the most difficult and
DANGEROUS movements known in war.
When lie first crossed the Rapidan
Lee struck him in the flank with II
view to breaking his line, but failed.
The eight days lighting cnsued, which
resulted in forcing Lee to his tortifi
cations vt Spottsylvania. Grant
made another flank movement, sue
cesslully turning the cuemy's right,
and compelled him to retreat. Now
| thus forced the evacuation of the
strong position on the South Anua.
Thus Lee has given up his works on
the rivers, which the rebel accounts
say it was necessary for him to de-
tend. lie doubtless expected to be
attacked in the woods; and of course
he desired it; but he was disappoin-
ted The fact is now pretty well cs-
tablished, that Lee has lacked the
disposition to fight upon equal ground
and from this it is to be inferred that
he lacks the ability. 1t is to'be con-
cludel therefore, that his army is
inferior in numbers, and il with an in
lerior army, weakened as it has been
by hard fighting, and driven from the
Rapidan to the Peninsula, he enters
Richmond, it will be an acknowledge
ment of weakness, from which we may
safely draw encouragement. When
it is announced that Lee is within the
fortiiications, his utter defeat may be
regarded as Il question of time only.
Grants aim in that case, would be
to capture the city and the army also.
Ey' 4 reliable Chattanooga cor
respondent states positively that
Johnston has only thirty thousand
men.
GV- The Tennessee railroads, south
of Nashville, are overrun with guer-
rillas, who take advantage of the ab
scnce Of troops. to attack the passing
trains. ,...
All goes we'll with the Army of the
Potomac. Vigorously GRANT is pres
sing the enemy. With steady tread
he is moviaS against the objective
point; and each hour the prospect
grows brighter. The official bulletins
bring the news from the front down
to Tuesday morning at six o'clock.
The rebels had fallen back TO the line
Of the Chickahominy, their right rest
ing on Shady Grove, which is about
sc, en- miles from Richmond, and ex-
tending thence northwcsternly across
the Mcchanicsville road. On Mon.
day afternoon the enemy attacked
our left, under Warren, but were
easily repulsed, and suffered heavily.
Oar forces took strongly intrenched
skirmish lines and held them. An
order was given by General Meade
for n general attack, but it was not re-
ceived in time. Early yesterday
morning the indications were the en-
cmy had fallen back south of the
Chickahominy. Our forces were all
up and in line, with the exception of
General Smith, who would be within
supporting distance of Warren by
noon. Our cavalry were on our right
and left ilanks and in the rear; one di.
vision being engaged in destroying
the Virginia Central Railroad. The
enemy is thus cnt Off from all com
municaton with Northern Virginia
except via Lynchhurg, Grant, it will
be perceived by reference to the maps,
is leaning around to the north west
iof Richmond thus ayoi1irp the