The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-09
The Military situation-Oar Successes
EverywhePe.

Evsrywhors.
All that Is thus far known Of the operations
of our armies is full Of encouragement, and It
seems safe to believe that We are successful
everywhere. Though General Grant, with his
usual reticenee, has not transmitted any des-
patches it is at least certain that the Army of
the Potomac has had hard fight with the army
| under General Lee; for over six thousand
wounded men are on their way to the rear.
Six thousand wounded men that can be sent to
the rear In railroad cars represent battle
| in which at least ten thousand men fell
two thousand killed, and at least two thousand
50 badly wounded that it was impossible or
useless to send them away. From what We
know Of this battle by our own dispatches
Gen. Lee was the assalant, and attempted to
force our lines as soon as they were formed
south Of the Rapidan-just as he did the lines
Of Gen. Hooker under somewhat similar cir
cumstances . year ago. His success against
Hooker's lines paralyzed the operations
Of that general, and the campaign ended
two or three days later by the retreat Of
our army. 1t is clear enough that the
result Of General Lees attempt has been very
different in the present case, and it is plain
that the result Of the fighting was greatly in
our favor, since after so severe q battle our
army was neither comp elled to retreat nor to
stand still, but went forward.
Secretary Stanton's despatch informs us that
General Grant has made requisition for seven
days grain and railroad construction trains
This significant requisition for construction
trains tells that we are to use railroads that
have not been in our hands for many months.
and the requisition for grain implies an
extended movement in advance, and as We may
suppose, at the heels Of the enemy. II We ex-
cept the very questionable pursuit after Gcttys-
burg, the Army Of the Potomac has not much
troubled the heels Of the enemy after . great
battle since the battle Of Williamsburg two
years ago. General Grant has, therefore,
changed the result of its battles in one great
respect. Upon General Grants FIRST arrival in
Washington to accept the position Of Lieutenant
General the military authorities then very
much troubled about the military situation"
asked the Generals opinion Of II. His answer
was that there was "oniy one thing TO do, and
that was to whip Lee" and be added, very
| quietly, that be Thought that could be done y
| He has now undoubtedly shown how Il was to
be done, and We may rely upon him to make
| the most Of bis victory.
General Buffers operations south Of Rich
mond 20 on admirably. His force that went
up the Peninsula drove the enemys outposts
into the rebel capital, and his column Of
cavalry sent into North Carolina Is likely to
achieve magnificent results against the enemy's
| communication. But the success Of his main
| body is definite. He has seized the railroad
between Petersburg and Richmond, accom-.
| plished the object OF his movement, and fought
| q battle, In which the rebel Generals Jones
and Jenkins were killed and Pickett badly
wounded. Pickett lately commanded in North
Carolina, jenkins was with Beauregard OF
Charleston, and Jones was in Western Virginia;
and the presence OF these men at the battle be-
tween Petersburg and Richmond shows the sx-
tent 70 which the enemy have oososntrated their