The Portland daily press., 1864-05-18
Thursday, the 2eth Day of May,


This cry comes up from all hearts and every
tongue gives 1t utterance. Men, women and
children, all over the loyal states, feel an anx-
iety they never felt before. 1t is not strange
that the blood of loyal hearts should thus be
quickened, and every eye turned towards the
blood stained fields where are being fought
the great battles of social and political Free
dom. Prayers are ascending to Heaven from
the affairs of countless hearts that Grant and
his army may be victorious and crush out
this unholy rebellion SO eaectually that it
shall no longer curse this fair land, and pain
the hearts of Freemen in all countries.
The accounts from Gen. Sherman inspire
hope that all is well in that quarter. He has
battled the enemy at Resaca and won a vic
tory. Our loss is about 5000 in killed, woun-
ded and missing but the rebels loss must have
been greater. Although the movements of
Grants army are watched with the most in
tense interest, yet Sherman is performing
very important part in this great tragedy,
and his conduct thus far has been brave,
adroit and judicious. We are anxious TO see
him move on and occupy Atlanta. Such oc-
cupation would be a staggering blow to the
rebels. To take Richmond might give us
more prestige aud quicker pulsations TO the
heart than TO conquer Atlanta; but if Lees
army should escape to fight other battles
nearer the center of the rebel states, the
taking Of the Capital would not give us SO
much advantage as the occupation of Atlanta.
Sherman is in vigorous pursuit of the rebels
aftertwo days of hard lighting, and we have
confidence that he has had, or will soon have,
another opportunity to thrash them. 1t seems
johnson commenced his retreat at midnight,
which shows that he loves darkness because
his deeds are evil, and more especially does
such time Of retreat show That his army is
weakened and demoralized. We think Sher-
man may be trusted to take care OF John
son.
From the immediate vi entity Of Richmond
the dispatches are hopeful and encouraging.
Our citizens have been taught to expect much
from Gen. Butler. Wherever he has has gone
he has lett an enduring mark. The general,
and we may safely say the universal feeling of
all our loyal citizens is, that Butler may have
the honor and the prestige of taking this
rebel Capital. He would train the rascals SO
well and make them toe the mark so squarely
and promptly, that even the ladies of that
city would behave themselves decently and
not insult the old Flag in his presence. They
would take warning from the fate OF some Of
their sisters in New Orleans and govern them
selves accordingly. 1t is indeed true, as
Shakespeare said, that hell has no fury like a
woman's hate, and especially the hate of these
hot-blooded, aristocratic, disloyal women. In
his school they would be well trained.
The railroad communication with Rich
mond is cut Off in all directions, and the doom
OF that hotbed of traitors, we trust, is near at
hand.
Fort Darling, some eight or ten miles from
Richmond, seems to be a darling object for
Butler and his army. 1t is surrounded, and
some of its outer works carried. They are
hugging 1t very closely. This Generals or
gans Of vision are SO peculiarly constructed,
that he can very easily fasten one orb on this
fort and the other on Richmond, and no doubt
such is his gaze. We expect stirring news
from this quarter and it may come any hour.
He is receiving reinforcements, and his army
must now be formidable one. We believe
Butler is more than match for the "Iittle
Frenchman," who seems to occupy rather
lonely condition.
Grants army, notwithstanding his severe
fighting and terrible losses. is in good heart
and ready for any emergency.
At our present writing TUESDAY afternoon)
the forces of Grant and Lee seem TO be facing
each other in the vicinity of Spottsylvania
Court House, and a collision may occur at
any moment. The wires bring us the jarring
sound that Beauregard has joined Lee with a
large force, but whether the report is true or
not, time will determine. We hope he has
not thus escaped from Butler, still it may be
30. We must expect desperation now TO
characterize all the rebel movements That
Lee Is massing all his available forces to con-
front Grant, there can be no doubt. Heavy
battles are yet TO be fought; at least, so we
judge from the present aspect Of affairs. Our
confidence is not shaken that our armies will
yet prevail and raise the Star Spangled Ban
ner over Richmond. Our readers must be pa
tient. Great bodies move slow, and Gods
time Is the best time
Killed md Wounded i'm the o0,, Nxo.o