The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-07
This problem was further embarrassed

This problem WAS further embarrassed
by the fact that it was of eqaul Importance
that he should be at each of these diverse
points. If he shout! 20 towards Char
louisville and Gordonsville, and thence to-
wards Richmond, he exposed Lynchburg,
and 1t Is conceded that the possession of
that point by Us would be the determine
ton of the fate of Richmond.
But in withdrawing on that line, to COW
! er that all important point, he threw him.
self Oft scientifically from communicating
with the main rebel force under Lee. This
fact seems 30 have determined him to
move toward Richmond.
Notwithstanding the paucity OF our in
formation from Sheridan's force for some
| days past, ell indications 60 to show that
Early has made his way cue eastward to
Charlottesville, and from thence, il fol-
lowed up, he must fall back on Lee.
In adopting this course, the rebels we're
doubtless in part governed by the consid-
Grafton that the enormous difficulties of an
advance by the Union force to Richmond,
or rather OF keeping up so prodigious an
extended line of supplies as it would have
to maintain, might be relied Oh to prevent
Gen. Sheridan's going there.
If this reasoning on the part OF the
rebels be sound, we shall doubtless find
Sheridan advancing after Early by the
same line the latter has adopted as his line
OF retreat. Now, what will be observed as
the result of the following out OF this de-
sign is, that it will place him in more ad-
vantageons position, whether for blow at
Lynchburg, or for direct corporation with
Grant in an attack on Richmond.
+ Charlottesville, it will be noted, is on
the Orange and Alexandria railroad, which
will afford him means of supplying himself
III any operations on that line On the
other hand, the holding Of Lyncllbl.rg
would necessltato the wagoning Of aup-
plies
Now, the latter line Of communication
Is nearly 100 and the former near 200
miles long.
Sen. Sheridan YOU'D scive y new prob
LEM III the Quartermaster'S Department if
he could keep up such & line Il is obvious
that from any point on the Orange and
Alexandria railroad, whether Charlottes-
vile, Gordonsburg or Orange Court House.
he could operate to Tar greater advantage,
fron. ilarp"r's Ferry, or Gauley Bridge,
on the kanawlia, as base
Turning now to the work Gen. Grant
has under his immediate eye, we find him
executing one of those brilliant, complex
and secret moves, into which he loves to
rack and bewilder the enemy. Two corps
have been transferred to the north or left
bank OF the James, and have gained
point and front of operations from which
Richmond can be securely invested.
Grant has twice before attempted this
same operation, but in each case has
failed. The object aimed at in every in
stance was possession of the commanding
heights a, Chapin's Farm on the left bank
OF the James, and nearly opposite Fort
Darling, which is on the right bank.
In neither of the two previous attempts
were We able to gain the position. 1t has
now been WOO. Gen. Ords command on
Thursday carried this position with its
strong line of Notifications, and at the
time Birney's Corps held tie approach to
Richmond by the Newmarket road. A
front of battle is formed near Richmond
from the South, and bit six miles distant
from the rebel capital. The heights at
Chapin are within Smelling distance of
Fort Darling.
We may now fairly look to see that
stubborn element eliminated from the
problem of the capture OF Richmond
This done the let of the line can be
thrown across the Petersburg and Rich
mond Railroad, which will cut Off the
rebel supplies quite as etfectuaily as our
hold Oh the railroad below Petersburg.
Besides these Moves, there are those Of
Warren to day on the Weldon Railroad
and of Meade to the Danvlle Road, of
both OF Nhicll We have just read news, but
without details Whether under these
circumstances, Lee can hold Petersburg,
l. a question of momentous import (which it
will be necessary for him very soon to de-
terinine.
1t is certainly difficult to see how he can
at once do so and repel an advance by the
north side of the James. We are. there
fore, hourly looking fer the announcement
OF the evacuation OF Petersburg. In with.
drawing from this point Lee will throw his
force into the tortilications of Rich
mond, and the siege Of that city will begin
to form
That Lee, with his army reinforced by
Eary's column, will be able to present a
stubborn resistance to the advance of the
Union army, may be readily believed, and
we need hardly look for the probability of
carrying Richmond by comp de main
In this state of facts the public mind
may De pertarbed by the vision of bloody
Assaults, but | look for no such results.
Richmond will be closely invested, and
operations on the other lines will shake
Lees hold on the rebel capital, cut off his
supplies, and bring before him the neces-
sity of either fight or flight
If he attempts the offensive, it will be
precisely what the army has most at heart.