The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-01
The Situation IN Virginia.

Tie lull which continued 50 long IN
Eastern Virginia, has been broken the
frat clash Of arms was in the Shenan-
doah Valley, and the result all that an
ardent patriot could have desired. The
Corps commanded by EARLY, 10 whom
it was bequeathed 10y the ablest militia
~ leader the South ever produced
SrosESA-L JAcksoN-and consisting Of
the best troops in The rebel service,
was not only beaten, bat utterly demon
allied so demoralized that they were
unable even to make stand at a point
which all parties, except the intrepid
SnsRmAS, had deemed impregnable
and now they arc flying, almost without
artillery, to the defenses OF Richmond,
with their parsuers close at their heels,
and with hundreds daily throwing
down their arms, and snrrendering
themselves to the victors,
The latest Intelligence, through rebel
sources, announces that on last Monday
morning, GOTH, Sheridans advance
had entered the towns Of StauntOn and
Waynesboro bat g. miles from Lynch
burg and that EARLY was still retreat
ing; and 10y this time, we presume our
advancing forces are in the vicinity
Of Lynehburg, the great rebel depot Of
supplies, for the valleys of the Shenan-
doah and the James, and upon which,
since the seizure of the Weldon Rail-
road, Lee has almost solely relied for
has commissary stores.
The rebels will end no HUNTER, now,
TO deal with aud, besides, LEE cannot
80 readily detaeh men for the defence
of the place, AS last spring he is weaker
now than then, while the advancing
column is stronger and besides, SHER-
mas will push on which HtgrFR did
not
ave s:e not at all apPrehensive of the
results which win follow the sending
of hososrRrrT to "rectify2 things in the
valley. He is not so ablea commander
~ EARLY, aud f he takes command OF
the shattered forces of the latter, he
may, like HooD, risk battle, but only |
like him to be defeated
That EBLY believed himself capable
Of aol only holding the valley, bat of
advancing into Pennsylvania, we have
every reason to know; and had not
SIBERIAN moved when he did, EARLY
would have moved northward, within 3
day or two. Whether the defeats which
awaited him, had he taken the offensive,
would have been more destructive than
those which overlook him while on the
defensive, is of 40 Importance now
All we know, or care, 3 that SnEubAN
now holds absolute possession Of the
Shenandoah valley, and that he can
take lynciihurg At any time, if he has
not already done so: and thence can
advance TO any point which Gen. GRASr
may have selected, whether North OF
South OF theIamea
Nor is il in the valley alone that we
SIRE having active work The success Of
SHEpnE hss enabled GRANT 20 com
mence operations with his main army,
and already have they brought forth
brilliant results. An danger 10 Wash
ington having been warded off 10y
SngaIDANs victories, the whole army of
Virginia can be brought to bear upon
the rebel capitals and they will be
brought 20 besr, from three different
Notwithstanding, Deep Bottom,
and the Weldon Railroad
Thus three columns are formed, and
the last two are in supporting distance
OF each other, with full supply of
pontoon bridges and within = Few miles
of their base Of supplies and either Of
the three is able to defend itself against
Ler's whole army, though unable to
advance singly, with success, upon the
rebel works
Il is therefore necessary 70 manage
the three columns lu,iicioasly. As be.
tween the army of Deep Bottom, and
that on the Weldon Railroad, 6AAs4
possesses shorter line than The rebels.
and can throw his reserves 20 either I