Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-06-03
NEWS or THE WEIR .

For the past week it has been game of
intellect between the two chicftains of the
great opposing armies in Virginia, and thus
far Grant has the best Of it, Lee retreated
from the North Anna river and took I'd a
strong position on the South Anna river, and
formed in line Of battle. But Grant had no
idea of accomplishing by great loss of lie
what could be effected by strategy. He ex-
ecuted one of his mastery flank movements,
achieved without the loss of drop of
blood an advantage which he is reported as
saying he would have rsked three battles to
have gained. He offectualy covers Wash
ington, and at the same time is enabled TO
abandon for the present the Aqua Creek
Railroad, andsnake Port Royal, on the Rap.
pahannock, his new base and cutet,-thus
rendering his access to supplies much easier
than by the former route, and reducing the
distance Of land transportation very much.
'On this subject the Chicago Tri6une says:
We have already indicated the nature of
the grand strategic movement of the army of
the Potomac, which occupied the larger share
OF last week, and is now completed, being no
less than the farming Of Lees right flank.
thus rendering wholly useless his defensive
position on the South Anna River. 1t has
brought our forces within fifteen miles of
Richmond, with nothing like general en-.
gagenent since leaving Spottsylyania. Grant
is now within striking distance of tho rebel
capital, and has his new base of supplies at
West Point, on the York rirer, at the mouth
of the Pamunkey, leaving very short line
of land communications. Our dispatches of
Sunday night give very full details of this
.nasterly stroke of military skill There is
every reason for encouragement in the pres.
cnt aspect. Not that it avoids the great task
Of opening the gates to the capital, but it
brings it to our army on better terms, and
finds it stronger and more eager than before
to accept the gage of battle, and trust to con.
sequences. Lee must now fight before the
works of Richmond Or enter them to meet
the fate Of Pemberton and his army, paroles
excepted. Never before has Richmond been
in equal danger. Doubtless ere this, the
chief conspirators and their archives of trca.
son have BEEN hurried away to escape its fate.
Grant has done well. His armies have shown
that they have heretofore lacked only leaders.
Tn. end of the campaign in Virginia cannot
be far distant, if we may trust the tokens
that are row SO promising"
at last accounts orr situation was as fol.
lows: Our forces recrossed the North Anna.
swung around to the eastward, crossed the
Pamunkey river, and came in southeast of
Lees strong position, forcing him to abandon
It. All this vas accomplished without seri-
Gus fighting, and is considered great sue.
cess, as it places Grant nearer Richmond
than Lee. Our advance was only fifteen
miles from Richmond, or four hours march.
There is report that Lee is rapidly retreat,
ing for the Notifications Of the city, and
though this is more than probable, it is not
officially stated. Everything looks well, and
there is nothing in the situation but that
should cause hopeful feeling in all our
breasts. Yet we must remember that anoth-
81 terrible battle must be fought before the
decisive end of the campaign is accomplished
Lee will postpone the fight as long as he can,
sbut,he cannot put it off much longer How
constantly should we all pray that the sue
cess which has thus far attended the army Of
tho Potomac in the present campaign, does
not desert it as the final struggle draws nigh.
Our sai'h is strong tia, our army is equal to
the work before it.
After repeated efforts to dis!odge Butler
from his entertainments, tho enemy seem 10
have abandoned the attempt in despair, and
forwarded most Of their men to Lee. I'm.
mediate'y large portion Of the troops in
-Bnl.er's department are transferred to Grant.
Ghiswas done last Sunday and Monday
Other than this there is nothing particular to
note in this command
Sherman, down in Georgia, seems TO be
having it all his own way. He had aanked
Johnston's position, in the Alatoona range,
BY movement to Dallas, (readers must cen
suit their maps,) leaving the railroad some
twenty miles 10 his left He had found the
enemy apparently in force, a little beyond
Pumpkin Vine Creek, where the road forks,
sac branch lcadirs to Marietta and the othe,