Litchfield enquirer., 1864-09-15
Or Army Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc. ]

the grand Army of the Potomac towards the rebel capital received it's first check at Will derness and that morning found the whole of '5en Meade's command below the Rapidan. Lee marched his legions down from Orange Court House, and struck on line on Warren's front. The 9th corps having not yet arrived, the disposition of our trains was insecure we could not slip the challenge for greater risks than those of battle; we rallied and fought.- we are sate' think, in deciding that the ear ly theories of this campaign (till after we left the North Anna) was to cut Lee of from Rich nond.' It was not consistent with t5is design | to fight him face to face at Wilderness.
 so' when concentration and the proper dis position of the trains had been effective, the march to Spottsylvania was begun. The ene- my immediately pushed their columns for the same destination. The plans for our first ar rival and occupation of the town were laid in wisdom, but the cupidity of some one" fail ed them in the execution. Our troops sat down at siege, when they shonld have rushed an assauh. The rebel General again massed his troops in our front, behind most formidable natural defences, and earth works.
 Gen. Grant opened a new base of supplies fought several desperate battles, every one to advantage. preparing, meantime, by filling his ammunition and supply trains with new and l generous stores, for the further prosecution of his fvorite plan.
 Everything at last was ready. Surprising the vigilent garrison at Milford, and forcing pas sage on the Mattapony, with the power and i'm petuositv of a torrent our troops swept down the valley towards the North Anna river. A cloud of dust swelling above the range of hills upon our right, revealed an enemy crowd- ing with his might to keep US pace.
 We reached the river before him. Opposed to us, on the South bank, the force that we had driven before us from Milford, challenged the crossing. Night was approaching night that was to decide the fate of the Rebel army Our advance forces wanted for the necessary endorsements, to cross and get possession of the Virginia Central R. R. and the defences near and beyond it. The support came too tardly, and Lee slipped by us and entrenched himself on the commanding nights of the South Anna in our front. A new but awk- ward and unnatural " base' was established at Port Royal, whence our wounded were trans ported preparatory to another movement.
 The "policy'' of the campaign seems here to have changed, and the project to unite with Gen. Butler for the overthrow of Richmond to have been established.
 The 9th Corps, already renowned in the ac compshment of difficult and perous under takings, led the next flank movement down the North Anna and Pamunk land across the latter at Hanoverstown. Here from White House. which now formed splendid base of communication and supply, the 18th corps from Gen. Butler joined the army of the Pc tonne. Whether the subsequent advance to Cold Harbor was an attempt to reach the rebel capitol, is doubtful. It was probably thought to be necessary to crowd the ena ny5 right we'll back upon the deltnces of that city. to secure on" safe advance across the peninsuIe. It is certain that our troops advanced as far as they attempted to iu that direction.
 Thence, across country made historic by a past can ;.sgn, to naw battle fields and new victories. have the hosts of freedom forced their way.
 Here. as the indian, looking calmly and sternly into the eye of his prey approaches tue quaing panther with his clasped hunting knife un5heathed, with an unsleeping vigil ance and unfalterins tread, our heroes have approached this monster, and laid their hand upon his throat. Fierce aud bloody struggles, ali but two decided victories, and one of those doubtful defeat, have hallowed all this broad country where our army lies.
 Back along the trsil of our iavinc;bIe, our veteran hosts, "upon every hill top and under every green tree," have been raised the little mounds, every ons shrine of Freedom, where the patriot must ever stand with sealed lips and uncovered head. :
 Eighteen weeks-of struggle, of cloud, of disappointment, of vctory--making this fair land sepulchre clothing bright homes in mourning, but bringing us, through night of blackness and of bowling storms, to the breaking of the day ol final triumph and of peace. ...- H. E. ". ! CoMMENDABLE ENTERPRISES. We suppose l that most of our raadars vnuId ha somewhat f