The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-07-30
The Movement or Grants Army-The
Battles at Atlanta.

Battles at Atlanta.
Our news to-day from the Army Of the
Potomac is of the greatest interest. II indi-
Gates the direction Of the important movement
that has already been announced as in pro-
gress, and illustrates once more General
Grants peculiar strategy Of turning up in
| unexpected places. From point little east
of Petersburg the Appomattox runs very
| nearly north for rather more than five miles.
It turns to the east again just at the point
where General Buffers line begins, on the
Bermuda Hundred peninsula; but General
Buffers line continues the northerly direction
for over three miles more; and thus, on our
side OF the Appomattox and across General
Buffers position, it is-possible to move, inside
Of our lines, more than half way to Richmond
from General Grants headquarters, near Pc
tersburg That is to say at Grants head
quarters, near Petersburg, one is twenty miles
from Richmond; but at the northern extremity
Of General Buffers line one is only ten.miles
from Richmond, as the bird flies. Continuing
in the same northerly direction, we cross the
James river at the point called Deep Bot
tom. "Deep Bottom" merely refers to the
depth OF the river at that point, and not to the
country; for the land is high bluff More
than . month ago General Foster was sent
across the river to this point, and he has been
actively engaged on the intrenchments Of the
position ever since. Now we are informed
that infantry Of General Grants army was
passing the James to that point on Wednesday
last. Deep Bottom is four miles nearer to
Richmond than Malvern Hill. 1t is only
twelve miles from that city by the New
Market road. 1t is the key to the high and
healthful piece Of country Immediately south
| and east Of Richmond and between that city
| and White Oak Swamp. General Grants posi-
| ton there will develop Lees present weak
ness perhaps, and will at least compel that
sorely pressed leader to show why he should
not either abandon Petersburg to save Rich
mond or let Richmond 60 to keep Petersburg.
General Hood has done at Atlanta what he
was appointed for. He has assaulted the
Union lines, fought two or three bloody bat
ties, and given the Southern journals that are
deepest in the Davis interest an opportunity
to shout victory. For there does appear
| TO DO some probability that Hood had
certain measure Of success in the battle Of
the 22d. When on the goth, he assaulted our
right, held by Howard, Hooker, Palmer, New
ton, Geary and Williams-that Is, when he
assaulted the Army Of the Potomac in its
Western apotheosis; for every one OF the above
named generals went west from that glo-
rIous army--he found more than bis match,
and was. hurled back in utter discontinue.
Howard, Newton, Geary and Williams had
helped to hold the lines ct Gettysburg, and
were not to be driven by anything that the
enemy has ever had In his Western army. But
when, two days later, the enemy assaulted our
left, held by General Frank Blair, he seems
not to have been resisted so we'll.
But his nominal success will prove to be
small matter, even il no did, a. be claims,
drive Blair from his position. With their cheers
over Hood, the Southern journals coupl .
anathemas against Johnston, who did not fight
these battles weeks ago. All this must excite
grim smile on the face of that old doctor OF
strategy. Johnston knows just how casy II
10 to win just such victories" as this that
Hood has won, and be knows how costly and
how worse than valueless such victories are.
He can, therefore, afford to wait The ten or
twenty days that will justify him before the
Southern people. Hood gives battle to Sher.
man to drive him out Of Georgia-to compel
him TO loosen bis hold on Atlanta---and such
would be the effect Of . great rebel victory;
but II will be seen that Hoods recent assault
will mol even interrupt the progress 81 Sher.