New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-16
THE CAMPAIGN.

THE CAMPAIGN.
Tho meaning Of Grants movement Is tho
isolation of Richmond. 1t has been common
to represent since the beginning of this cam
paign that Grant desired only the destruction
of Lees army; and, on the other hand, to rep
resent that his sole object was the possession Of
Richmond. Neither statement involved the
whole truth. 1t must be remembered that
Lees Amy exists for the defense of the Rebel
Capital, and if Grant had desired only to defeat
Lee, the necessities which his energetic opera
tons have imposed upon the Rebel leader
brought both armies into near relations
to Richmond. When Grant crossed the
North Anna, he forced Lee to decide be-
tween holding the Virginia Central Railroad
with its stations, Gordonsville and Charlottes-
vile, and holding Richmond. Compelled partly
by political considerations, Lee chose the latter;
and since the moment Of his determination the
campaign Of Gen. Grant has comprehended two
objects, neither inseparable from the other. be-
cause the army Of Lee became practically the
garrison Of Richmond. The question remain
ing and which the present movement goes far
to solve, was how long Lee could defend his
capital in the field, and how soon be should be
driven inside of its oarthworks. And that is a
question which the presence Of Gen. Grant
south Of the James must bring, sooner or later,
to an issue.
Let us clear away captious objections at the
outset by admitting that Gen. Grant would
gladly have forced the line north Of the Chicka-
hominy on the battle Of Friday, June 3. So
would he gladly have annihilated Lee in the
Wilderness, at Spottsylvania, on the South
Anna. So would he gladly have marched from
Culpeper into Richmond without shots but
neither was to be, and it is the test and superb
assurance Of Grants great generalship that
where he could not break the strength
which withstood his march he has bent it, and
has shaped the course Of the campaign by his
own will from the moment he moved over the
Rapdan down to this present passage of the
James. AS fertile in resource as he was un-
shaken In purpose, he has successfully turned
his enemys flank by the repetition Of strategy
which becomes grand in its monotonous per-
sistence. Never turning away from the Rebel
front till he became satisfied by the trial of bat
tie that 1t was better to annul it by strategy than
to destroy it by force, with admirable prudence
he throws himself at last across the James,
instead Of dashing against the Chickahominy
line, OF instead Of waiting till q third Of his
army had been lost by disease in those fatal
swamps. And 80 long as Lee chooses to main.
tain tho defense of Richmond, Gen. Grant does
as truly maintain his grasp on the Rebel army
by strategic move south Of the Capital as by
confronting it on the Peninsula.
This movement was foreseen and provided for
from the outset. It is safe to state now-what
constitutes the complete defense Of Gen. Butler
against all criticisms on his campaign-that he
was ordered to seize some point on the south bank
Of the James, as near as might DO to Richmond,
and to hold it for new base Of supplies for the
Army Of tho Potomac. That is, Gen. Grant
saw clearly he might need such base, and the
existing necessity for 1t is vindication,
Il any 1Sie needed, Of tho policy
which sent the expedition under Gen. Butler TO
Bermuda Hundred, and equally justification
Of the prudent resolve to which that commander
adhered, that no temptation should lead him TO
imperil the absolute certainty Of bis hold on
the line he had occupied and intrenched. Not
10 have retrested from Fort Darling when he
did would have been virtually violation Of his
orders and disappointment Of the Just expecta-
tons Of Gen. Grant.
Like ali other movements in this campaign,
Gen. Grant has accomplished the transfer Of his
army from tho north Of the Chickahominy to
the south Of tho James with admirable precision
and celebrity. During last week the enormous
wagon train, which has accompanied tho march
from the Rspidan, was sent down the Peninsula.
With water base on the james, there was no
longer any need for the greater part Of It; and
Ito departure was o relief from one Of tho prin.
cipal endorsements which attended Q
flank march In the face Of hitherto entsprs.
ing and DANGEROUS enemy. But the two armies