The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-07
FRIDAY, OCTOBER Z, 1864
The Situation on the James.

Tic ElAHdtlGN vi tBC
since his advent into military life, as
tho commander Of an army, Gen. GRANT
has Systematically set at defiance ali
the rules of military strategy, as laid
down in the books. In this he diff
fered from Mcclellan, who, it is said,
carried the tactics around in his pocket,
ordering each move like the Irishman
took the bill Of fare, from FIRST to last, in
regular order and ending with a re-
treat but he did not differ from all the
Generals Of every age. who have won
an immortality as great conquerors.
No book can apply to each particular
situation; and the General who does
not possess TIE necessary originality of
conception to meet unseen emergen-
oies, can never be successful.
Europe was shocked at the manner
in which NAPOLEON defied All the rules
and maxins laid down by military au-
thorities; but success always indicated
the wisdom of his plans.
One of the maxims of the books,
upon which most stress is laid, is the
admonition to secure communications
in therear; and we all know how care
fully MCCLELLAN watched bis, making
frequent changes of base, always rear
ward. GRANT, on the other hand, de
fed this rule; and when he would
change his base, he did it, not by re-
treat, but by an advance, and the cap
ture of another
lie left Grand Gulf in 1863, and
formed new base on the Yazoo river,
above Vicksburg and during his pre-
sent campaign, he has cut loose from
his lines more than once, and in the
face Of powerful army, with almost
inpregnable communication, he has
established new ones till at present
his situation, with regard TO supplies, is
ali that could he desired.
He has now given us another speci-
men Of his peculiar style Of fighting by
threatening both Of the ene1ny's TANKS
at the same time. According to Secre-
tary STATIONS bulletin both wings of
the Potomac Army are being simulta-
neousiy engaged in flank movements.
All military authorities tell Us that this
il q most dangerous course of procee-
dure." one which even NAroLEoS never
followed but once successfully. But
what does GRAFT, in his laundering
audacity,r care for authorities ? To
make, not follow maxims Is his voca'
ton
BY lnaneuEering, Cen GRANT now
has sseeured "a shorter line than his
Antagonist; and can consequently
throw his reserves from one wing TO
the other, with greater celebrity than
LEE which gives him many advantages,
in that species Of fighting His center,
too, IS so wei fortified, that it cannot
be broken, and that center is a COM
plete protection TO all his communiqa-
tions Each division, too, IS sufficiently
strong to act on the defensive, against
Lass whole army, after il has fortified
itself which il can do, in few hours
while I.EE' : army has been SO weakened
by losses, that either one Of eur wings
can advance, aud drive the force OPP
posed 10 il, IL supported by our re-
serves; aud this neoessitates a danger
Gus movement on the part of the enc
my--he must weakea points at best
but feebly held, to check our advance,
when uddenly n movement from some
other point gives us advantages there.
Troops were massed on our left, to
prevent GIANT from seizing the Weldon
Railroad, some time since; movement
north of the James compelled LEE to
throw the great body Of his army into
the civilizations az Richmond, and the
road was seized githouts struggle. This
caused LEE e Withdraw his forces from
our right, and move az tothe left and
after several unsuccessful attempts to
dislodge the Cnion troops, he settled
down again on the defensive, in order
20 protect the south side railroad.
Another advance on the north side
Of the river, again compelled Lee to
throw heavy force into Richmond;
when our left advanced, and took up a
position AT Poplar Grove Church,
either on or near the south side road;
and this we now hold
By this process we are gaining
ground; not rapidly, it is true; but
surely; and the rebels viii necessarily,
when pressed little harder, be com
PEELED to fall back 10 the north OF the
Appomattoz, which win enable GKAxr
70 move with greater effect, and csleri-