Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-20
Tho War News.
PLAN OF THE NEW CAMPAIGN.

% MAJOR Oen. butief, 1 am told, Is
exclusively due whatever credit shall re.
suit from the inception and execution Of
the plan. When four weeks since, Lieut..
Gen. Grant, tho actual commander Of
the armies of the United States, visited
Fortress Monroe, it was for the purpose
of aseertaining the views Of Gen. Butler
respecting an advance upon therebels by
way of the peninsula, 10 be carried out
in cooperation with the grand army of
the Potomac. Gen. Grant had consid-
cred the various plans proposed with this
object in view, but had committed him
Iself to none, and was inclined, therefore,
to listen attentiyely to what Gen, Butler
might suggest. The sequel proves that
the proposition of Gen. Butler fully COM
mended itself to the judgment and ac-
quiescence Of the Commanding General,
and measures were at once taken to put
| it in execution.
Briefly, the project was to advance up
on Richmond by the James river, get a
foothold as near the city as possible on
the south bank of the stream, seriously
interrupt the communication of the reb-
ell capital southwark, and eventually com
pei the evacuation by Lees army of their
strongly fortified position on the Rapidan,
thus forcing the rebels to give Grant bat
tie or press rapidly rearward to the walls |
of their capital"
To the command of these troops was
assigned w, +. Smith. In addition to
these war-worn heroes from the coast
Of North Carolina, and the posts in Vir-
ginia, nearly all the brave and gallant
followers of the 10th army corps, under
Maj. Gen. Gilmore, were sent to Gen.
Butler to participate in the movement,
forming their encampment at Gloucester
Point, opposite Yorktown. I
That Yorktown and Gloucester Point.
both at the mouth of York river, should
have been selected for the rendezvous
OF these troops, naturally led to the sup
position that the advance was intended
10 be made at the Peninsula. That the
assurance of deception might be made
loudly sure, brigade of Union troops
was dispatched by Gen. Butler, even as
ate as yesterday, to White House Land
ng where, at sunset, when we last heard |
rom them, they were sedulously enga-
,ed in telling timber and constructing a
wharf, as if preparing to facilitate the {
anding of large army. To aid in this, 4
he ligh! draft steamers were kept until G
he las moment at Fortress Monroe, p
whence, early yesterday morning, they !.
we're dispatched to the York river. The
york of embarking the troops, whose ar b
for the purpose had already r,
cen made, was begun promptly. Soon L
fter the shades Of evening had closed e
yer the camping ground, the last tent
'as struck, and the troops were all on a,
oard. Gen. Buffers order to his sub pI
rdinate Generals made it incumbent for til
lom to repair to Hampton Roads as Z
aickly as possible after dark, where they h,
ere to anchor for the night.
AT daylight the order commanded the St
lvance of the troops up tho James river, re
by three army gunboats under vc
rig, Gen. Graham, and naval force, NJ
Of five monitors and eleven co
lnboats, under Rear Admiral Lee.
The cavalry branch of the expedition ar
commanded by Brig, Gen. A. J. Kuntz, bo
ho with fine body Of several thousand all
iite troops, left Suffolk, Va, at day en-
3bt yesterday morning. The point at riff
lich he aims primarily to strike is xii
ickford, atown on the Petersburg, he
and Weldon railroad. The fic
ilroad bridge there, which is q strong
e, about 800 feet long, will be destroy ba
ifpossible, and then the dashing horse an
IN viii do other damage to the enemy,s raj
'ans of supply as far as they can find mo
portunity. Gro
Gen. Kuntz has received rowing on
nmission, and if not too hardly press it
BY the rebels, may penetrate as far ha'
nth as Weldon, N. G., returning when baC
uits his convenience. We may not tim
Ar from him for a month, but mean enc
lie it is expected that be will make mo
u record. ing
Starting up the Peninsula from Will wit
nsburg, another cavalry force, some on
at smaller, commanded by Col. West, roa
} set out at daybreak. His object was for
create a diversion in our favor by use
ping the rebels excited and attack the ry {
rrillas and garrisons of the. outposts. tion
/. West would try to cross The Chick ed ,
miny at Bottoms Bridge, aud make the
way to the main body on the James selv
or typ