Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-09

TOTHE REBRLs OF HOLDING RICH
mOND.
What the New York Press says Of Grants
novemeuts.
The Saturdays New York Press is re-
plete with dispatches from Virginia on
army movements, without possessing sny-
thing very exact. The editorial comments
will, however, be Of general interest.
The Tribune says:
The first actual advance Of the army
was on Tuesday afternoon, when the cav
airy division Of General Gregg marched
away in the direction Of Ely's Ford, and
busted itself With smoothing the roads for
the following infantry. Another division
went down to Germsnis Ford, snd both Of
them carried the materials for establishing
pontoon bridges across the Rspidsn. At
midnight Of Tuesday, the Second Corps,
General Hancock, marched for Ely's Ford,
Atthe same hour the Fifth Corps, General
Warren, started fer Germsnis Ford. Four
hours later followed the Sixth Corps, Gen
eTsl Sedgwick, also to cross at Germanis
Other particulars Of the march there are
three grand divisions Of the Army OF the
! Potomac effected a crossing without oppo-
sition, and on Wednesday were advancing
on roads which lie south Of that river and
lead to Richmond. The account Of CROSS
ing at United States Ford, previously re-
ported, receives no cohrmation, but 1t ro-
msine true that the army has placed itself
deoisively on the right flank Of the enemy,
or, to speak more accurately, has turned
the position which the enemy did occupy.
Whether Lee had abandoned it before
Grant put himself south Of the river, is
an open question.
There was wicked invention yesterday
morning Of 3 defeat Of Burnside's corps
st Thoroughfare Gap, on Monday, by
Longstreet. It gained little credenoe even
in Wall street, and was contrsdicted from
/ all quarters in the afternoon. The fact
that there was cavalry skirmish at this
/ Gap on Thursday, an account Of which
| sppears elsewhere, and which was Of nc
possible consequence, furnishes no excuse
for the circumstsntial falsehoed that was
disseminated. We have private letters
from correspondents at General Burnside'E
headquarters, dated the day after the re
ported disaster, which contain evidence
that there had been no engagement.
The Times says:
The news that Besuregsrd is at Peters
burg with 10000 men, indicates clearly
enough that the Confsderstes are going t
battle for their capital. We have had thu
same rumors at the opening Of this cam
paign that we have hsd at the opening o
every preceding campaign that the rebel
were about to abandon Richmond, anC
that their armies would retreat somewhert
south Of the James river, if not to Nortl
Carolina. Those who have believed thi
have always heretofore been disappointed
and it is altogether unlikely that the even
viii take place now. It is ss necessary
fer the rebels to hold Richmond as it is fo
us 10 take it; and they will never leave j
unless overthrown in the field, or unles
some mastery strategic movement on tb
part Of Grant renders the holding Of j
absolutely impossible It cannot IS ye
ha told what will be the effect Of this spps
rition Of Bssuregard upon the movement
Of Buffers army. Its purpose is, o
course, TO neutrslize that army, and from
Petersburg Besuregard can operst
quickly against Butler whether the latte
attempt an advance upon Richmond by tn
south side Of the James, or by the PENN
sula. His appearance at this moment, an
at that point, is certainly shrewd thing
We have telegrsphic news that Butler ha
reached and occupied City Point, at tn
mouth of the Appomattox, and only tel
uailns-ftsern RealraGa -, nasition at -Re
sented for an Immediate collision.
The Post says:
The movement is not yet sufficiently de
veloped to be comprehended by those no
in the councils Of the commanding Gen
ersl; though it appears probable that tht
advance of Meade has taken Lee some
what unsWares, and it may have discon
certed the enemy's own plans. At any
rate, Grant has the initiative, a matter o.
great moment in the beginning Of cam
psign, and with his habit Of rapid marches
aud severe blows quickly followed up, We
are likely to hear soon from the two ar.
mics.
Whatever may be the plans now devel.
oping, they are founded upon the prinoi.
| pie Of rigorous concentration Of forces.
All General Grants preparations have
had for their object to mass his troops.
To that end he has withdrawn almost sll
JUL ing uetaOhHehlsi BatneNeu IN the Hu-
merous details Of soldiers on duty as
clerks, nurses, orderlies, and otherwise, in
the rear Of the armies; and brought back
to their regiments all able-bodied men sb-
sent on any business or excuse whatever.
This work has been going on quietly for
several weeks, until the number Of sb-
sentees and men on duty without arms
has been diminished to the lowest possible
limit.