Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-07-22
WHOLE NUMBER 447.

none OF the aids toward distinction which
social position in private life and near.
ness to the commanding general in mill.
tary life afford. The present contest ha:
revealed as much to himself, probably
as to his country, bis prominent military
traits, for the development Of which few
opportunities had been previously afford
ed. These are now too familiar to the
public to need dwelling upon. His game
in the momentous campaign now pend
ing, has been ;he very opposite to that ol
Gen. Lee. Having the strategical dis
advantages of constantly lengthening
line OF operations, through an impover,
ished and geographically difficult coun
try, with the hanks of bis line of com.
munications exposed, and the tactical one
of either assailing positions selected and
carefully prepared for resistance, or else
exposing himself to the risks of flank
movements within short striking distance
of the enemy-the manner in which be
has played this game up to the present
hour, whatever may be the sequel, has
put the seal to his high capacity as a
general.
Handling successfully an army of at
least one hundred and fifty thousand men,
in broken country, and in contact with
the enemy, is of itself no small feat of
generalship. Gen. Grant has not only
done this, but abandoning one base and
taking up new one in succession, from
the Rapidan to Port Royal, from this to
the White House, and now from the
White House TO the James, he has swung
bis army around from the Wilderness TO
Spottsylvania Court House, from there
to the North Anna, from this stream to
the Chickihominy, and now from the
Chickihominy TO the south side of the
James, with an order and celerity seldom,
if ever, equaled forcing his opponent to
rapid retrograde movements from strong
ly intrenched positions, where, in each,
he was held only SO long as was neces-
sary to have everything in readiness for
the next onward step. The loss of life
in these movements has been great, but
neither unexpected nor incommensurate
with the Importance of the object to be
attained.
The peculiar tactics of the rebels was
only partially successful at the outset of
it. In every succeeding battle their fa-
vorite maneuver has been met by coun-
ter one and foiled. Gen. Lee, in the pc
culiar style of his dispatches, only thanks
God that the enemy has been repulsed.
Gen. Grant, by moving over the line
from the Rapidan to the Chickihominy,
has been able effectually to destroy the
railroads from Richmond to Washington,
and by removing Lee from the very doors
of Washington, where he has so long
lain, to the defence of Richmond has at
length been able to place the army of
the Potomac 10 its true strategical posi-
lion, south of the James, threatening the
separation of Lees and Johnston's ar
mics.
In what rank as a general, posterity,
he only impartial judge, will place Gen.
Grant, must be left to the future. IF te-
lacity, boldness, sagacity and skill are
among the criterions of military capaci-
y, be has already vindicated his claims
o high position at least in the ranks
lext below the grand captains of the
world. He may claim, with the duke of
Wellington, if there is anything he does
inow, it is how to feed and handle an
Irmy.