The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-06-24
South of the James.

Once more IN the shifting fortunes OF the
Rebellion, the fields of the Chickahominy
have been fought cut, and abandoned. The
old battle plains, trampled and incsrnadined
by hundred thousand gallant soldiers, III
that by-gone day whose memory is still so
strangely commingied with the sad and the
glorious, have now witnessed the beginning
and the end 0! second campaign Of battles,
no less llustrious and no less heroic.
In the conduct of the campaign, thus far,
the leader of the Nations arms has been
equal to his word. He purposed to fight it
out on this line, though it should take all
summer The line he indicated was tina.
overland road from Fredericksburgh to Rich
mond. He has fought it out, and there Is
still a summer left wherewith to complete the
campaign. The work has been skillfully and
gallantly done. The marching has been OF
remarkable celebrity; the fighting bloody and
terrific; the changes of position to meet the
exigences of the moment, promptly conceiv-
ed and executed If the first series of op-
rations against the enemy's capital have
proved Immediately indecis.ve, this resulted
from his Herculean and desperate efforts to
drag his last man and his last gun into the
-serried line of Virginia breastworks. 1t was
Grants first intention to fall upon the enemy
again and again from the Rapidan to the
Chickahominy, till at last, when, weakened
and distressed, he reached his capital, the
city would prove an easy conquest for our
legi-ns, flushed and buoyant with victory.
The scheme failed not from lack of incessant
marches or of desperate battles, but simply
from the numerical strength of the enemy,
aided by impregnable positions. He was
driven back and back from Mine Run
to Mechanicsvlle, but, when our forces surg
ed up against his farthest entertainments, he
was strong enough still to dash US from
them. All this the momentuous reconnols-
sance at Cold Harbor revealed. 1t was on,
battle and it was enough, as this journal
then intimated, to control the future conduct
of the campaign. 1t was our battle, and
proved not only tentative but decisive. So
much we felt privileged to say, but no more.
of the course of events which was clearly in
ferable to the thoughtful spectator of the
campaig On. Now, at length, the movement
is accomplished and already made known
wherever Geographic wires run.
The transfer of the Army of the Potomac
to the southerly side of the James, is so ju-
dicous movement, that it can be regarded
only with entire satisfaction. This journal
has 80 uniformly and repeatedly urged the
adoption of the route on the south side OF
the James, as certainly the best, and proba-
bly, the only practicable aggressive avenue TO
Richmond, that its present occupation is
most cheering to us, as the augury of future
success, In December of last year, in Janu-
AIRY of this year, and on many subsequent
occasions. this view was explained, accom-
panied by reasons which it will not again be
necessary to repeat. A tortnigt since,-be-
fore the affair south of the Pamunkey-when
the brilliancy of the proceeding maETuvres
had lent confidence to the notion that Rich
mond might be seized at once by n coup de
main from the northeast, this journal stated
its conviction that the proper routes to Rich-
mond in the order of their advantages, were
first the one from Bermuda Landing on the
south side of the James; next, that from
Harrison's Landing on the north side Of the
James; next, that from White House on the
Pamunkey. These opinions are reviewed,
lest it may be surmised that a pardonab.e
impulse to sustain the courage and the splr-
its Of the people, is all that leads us to advo-
cate the new change of military base. This
movement is not the dernier resort of de-
teated general, but the disposition Of skilltul
and lu!lcious strategy.
The execution of the new movement was
no less brilliant than successful. -Four times
now, in the brief Virginia campaign, has q
great Army been coolly and deliberately
marched across the right flank of au enemy
strong and vigilant, If on its first two ex-
hibltlons, the manpuvre partOok OF the Che
acter of pursuit, from the timely interposi-
ton of the enemy's presence in front of oar
advance, on the last two, at least, its eXecu-
ton has been so swift and energetic as to
claim the merit of surprise. That the col
umn on the march has not been attacked in
either OF these two cases is not little note
worthy. It's wide detour, its remarkable ce-
lerity, and the perfect labricity, as of mechan-
ism, in all parts and Diet Ills of its movement,
will furnish some explanation of its success.
And perhaps the obvious inferiorty in con-
ditior and strength of the enemy in open
field, may account for his sluggishness TO at
tack and thwart US. In either event, the
bold and skillful generalship of Grant has
been made thoroughly manifest.
The second move in front of Richmond
will soon be undertaken by the National Ar
my, strong as ever in numbers and as admi.
rable In spirit. Six veteran corps threaten
the long harrassed capital from a new and
comparatively untred quarter. With faith
in the cause and the Army, let US ava ait the
unfolding Of events.-U. S. Army and Nary
Journal.
THE March to IameS II Iync