The New York herald., 1864-10-01
The Advante on Rtch.M0nd-Tho Work
Progressing andsomely.

! The Advante on RtchIM0nd-Tho Work
/ Progressing Handsomely.
| The active work which was so auspiciously
| commenced by Generals Ord and Brncy on
| Thursday against the CT emy's defences on tho
| north side of the james river. nearly opposite
Drury's Bluff. was yesterday de sloped into q
| general and successful movement OF the Union
forces on the south side II Petersburg, extend
ing 90 far as to cover the railroad leading west
from that city to Lynchburg.
The brief report from General Grant OF
Yesterdays operations Ii very encouraging
and strongly suggestive Of the near approach
OF the crowning events Of the war. He re-
ports that Warren attacked and carried the
enemy's line on their extreme right, capturing
q number Of prisoners, and that General Meade
moved from bis left Extending Warrens move
meut) and carried the enemy's line near
Poplar Grove church. Now, according to
al elaborate and carefully compiled map of
Virginia before US, Poplar Grove is on the
Petersburg and Lynchburg, or Southside, Rail-
road, some 6fteen miles west Of the first named
city, and about the same distance west from
the position held by General Grant on tho
Weldon road. The point thus gained cuts of
the rebel army in front Of p Petersburg from its
direct connecting link with the Danville road.
aud Lees supplies from that line for Petersburg
must be brought round by way of Richmond.
| But, while the road between the two cities
must now be strongly guarded TO prevent its
seizure by General Butler the junction Of the
| Danyille and Lynchburg roads is now within a
days march Of q cavalry raid from General
Mcade's army. With the loss Of that junction
the James River Canal to Lynchburg will be
| the only line Of subsistence remaining TO Lee;
for the whole country north of Richmond has
been completely eaten up between the two
armics In this bread and beef consuming ca m
paign.
In this view of General Lees situation the
question naturally recurs, how was 1t that the
important position Of Poplar Grove church was
wrested from him SO easiys We have the ex-
| PLANTATION In another branch Of yesterdays
operations The enemy yesterday, In three
| columns, made an assault upon General Buffers
| lines, on the north side Of the James, near
! Chapin's farm, and were repulsed. To make
| this attack below Richmond Leo had 80 far
\ Weahcntu Himbtu UcioW StSfSbusA hc w l'c0
| tho ground there which otherwise he might
have maintained. This simple explanation
discloscs ais incapscity to hold his present ex-
tended lines with his depleted army against
the heavily reinforced columns OF General
Grant; and bere we perceive, too, tho sagacity
of Grant In giving his adversary employment
| at the same time at both extremities Of his at
| tenuated line.
II must be apparent now to the most in-
credulous copperhcad that Richmond is In
| danger; that Lee needs endorsements, while
bis unfortunate Lieutenant in the Shenandoah
valley Is calling for assistance, and that Grant,
thoroughly comprehendng bis own ad-
vantages from the weakened condition OF
the enemy, is moving forward in the right way
aud at tho right time TO turn bis opportunity
TO the best account. The attack upon General
Butler betrays not only the Importance OF But
ler's new position, but that either the strength
or the fighting spirit OF Lees veterans Il gone;
for in hazarding the Soutbsds Railroad TO dis
lodge Butler from Chapns Bluff Lee must
have felt that the movement was called for BY
the most immediate danger 10 Richmond.