The New York herald., 1864-06-16

xAs Campaign. In vsrgiais snA 80
seusAwsss.
The greater part II not the whole, Of the
Army Of the Potomac Is now On fbe south sdS
OF the James river. Part Of Il left ifs lab posi-
tion, by way o. the White House. on transports,
and the remainder, moving in two columns.
turned the rebel right by passing the Cdicka-
hominy at Jones' bridge and the Long bridge.
and marched across Charles City county to the
James river. This maneuvre has been per-
formed with the greatest economy Of resources
aud time. Commenced on Sunday night, It
was to all appearance concluded on Tuesday,
occupying only two days, and was Of course
accomplished without battle Such rapidity
Of movement, and the perfection of generalship
that it implies, give the best possible augrry
or further success, the more especially as 80
high an authority assures us that the momen-
tum Of an army is to be found by multiplying
the mass by tho rapidity. With the magnificent
Army Of the Potomac going ahead as Grant
now carries it, failure is impossible.
BY this bold operation General Grant has
suddenly lifted the war out Of the little circle
around Richmond, and enlarged the theatre Of
operations, to our very evident advantage. All
those hard and unpleasant places on the Chicka-
homiDy and the elaborate works construct
ed with SO much labor on the north and east Of
Richmond are rendered valueless, and the strate-
gy breaks ground in "fresh fields and pastures
new" Grant Is now in very positive posses
sion of the only line Of supply that was left to
keep Lees army alive. Petersburg Of course is
his, and Fort Darling can offer no effectual re-
Of Fort Darling the James river Is open to our
gunboats, and Of course the time that Rich
mond can hold out is to be calculated in the time
that 1t will take to open the river. It cannot
stand twelve hours after the gunboats 60 up.
II General Lee had now 30 large and cfec-
tive an army as he had last year. or could have
such confidence in his army as he had then, he
would at once become the assailant, and as
sumo the offensive as an only, though despe-
rate, chance of still holding Richmond. But
he dare not try that chance, and he must
retreat. Should he stay in Richmond his
absolute destruction would be merely ques-
tion Of time, and of very short time too; but
even retreat is now dangerous. He must re-
treat towards Danville and North Carolina, and
may find the way beset with the unforeseen con-
tingencies Of Hunter, Crook, Averill, Sheridan
and Kautz, while General Grant, with his
main force, may anticipate him at almost any
point on that line for hundred miles.
From the Southwest we have news OF the
defeat of an inconsiderable force under
General Stargis ~ large rebel force that
has been in process Of organization for
some weeks now, and that had for Its
original object the destruction of Gene
raj Sherman's communications Encouraged
by their success with Sturgis it is possible that
the rebels may endeavor to carry out the origi-
nal intention against Sherman, in which case
they will probably be astonished before they
get through. Sherman will show them how to
hold a railroad. Sturgis has been superseded
by General A. J. Smith, of Red river fame.
The victory over Sturgis amounts to very
little, while General Grants movement has
given the campaign grand impulse Rich
mond is practically taken; for it can no longer
be held. Every forward movement made by
Grant since he left the Rapidan has rendered
some strong position of Lees untenable. By
forward movement he lanked Lee out Of the
position on the Rapidan; again out of the posi-
ton at 6pottsylvania, and out Of third on the
South Anna; now he fanks him out of Coal
Harbor and out of Richmond; and this is a
great and definite success that the Richmond
editors will probably understand and be able
to see.