New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-26

simply pursuing Lee-nothing else.
1t is not necessary to Gen. Grants fame to
conceal the fact that Lee got away from his
front at Spottsylvania rather unexpectedly, and
that he succeeded in covering his retreat so adroit
ly that, thought may have been suspected
on Thurs day, it was not surely known till two
or three days later-nOt till his escape beyond
the North Anna had been accomplished. But
that is Of little moment; the vital fact being
that Lee did have to retreat. There can be no
question that the want of supplies
was one main cause that compelled him
to fall back, and it is probable that in the ex-
pectation of holding the Petersburg and Dan
vile Railroads, and so of getting Richmond
provisioncd and insuring retreat when neceS-
sary, Lee came to the conclusion to abandon
the Virginia Central without struggle, and to
make no effort to hold the North Anna line
during the short time which would be occupied
by Grant in forcing or in turning it. The South
Anna remains to him-a position seemingly OF
strength at its confluence with the Pamunkcy-
but there is good deal of testimony going to
show that Lee does not mean to offer battle
again outside the exterior defenses of Richmond
"a line four miles or more from the city. 1t is
presumablc, moreover, from his abandonment
of the North Anna, and especially
from the necessity which the temper
of his army must now impose on
his military judgment. He cannot afford that
his legions should be subjected to the mortifica-
ton and Encouragement of a compulsory re-
treat from another position vainly defended.
Better 60 straight TO Richmond, and trust to
the strength of its earthworks.
II is to be remarked further that the length
ening of Gen. Grants line Of communication Is
compensated in various ways. The retirement
of Lee behind the North Anna puts il out OF his
power to interrupt this line. If Lee fingers
near the South Anna, the North Anna perfectly
covers Gen. Grants left flank, and prevents
alike any movement directly upon it, or any
attempt on his rear He may open new lines
to Port Royal, to Tappahannock, and, if neces-
sary, to Urbanna, and all Of them will be safe
from everything but cayalry-of which Lee has
too small store to waste il in useless raids on
the inexhausiiblc supplies of his enemy.
There is another reason for the withdrawal OF
Lee within the dcicnses Of Richmond. by
abandoning the open field it may become pos
sible for him to detach q force TO the aid of
Beauregarl strong enough TO make Gen. But
lerS present position extremely perilouS. II
Richmond is half "a well protected on the north
as has been reported, smaller force than Lees
army can temporarily hold its forts and re-
doubts; and as no place so fortified can be ap-
preached without caution, Lee may find ample
time to operate against Gen. Butler while Gen.
Grant is closing about Richmond.
But however that may BE-, the.campagn
rapdly narrows. When Lee is forced into
Richmond, the capture Of that city IL only a
question of time. To be driven To defend it by
the strength of its walls and not by the strength
Of his army in the field il the most humil-
ating disaster which Lee has yet been
compelled to endure. Against the enemy which
he has affected 10 despsc, against an army
which he has repeatedly declared beaten, he
cannot now maintain contcst-thatis what he
confesses by this retreat. Iiislast cause for e1-
ulta,ion is that he ran away so secretly that his
enemy, for few days, did not know he was gone.
lie is sweeping into his wasted ranks even his
musicians and his ambulance corpS--can take
no thought for his wounded while the Con
federacy itself is in the instant danger perish
ing. Boys Of seventeen are garrison for Rich
,nond Whn docs not soc that this last struggle
tremendous as it will be, is an effort of des-
peration'