Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1864-02-11
PUBLISHED DAILY BIZ
EDGAR SNOWDEN, JR.
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s.ones, formerly French's) Book Store.
THE LAST ION TO RICHMOND"

THE LAST ION TO RICHMOND
From the New Yoak World
General Buffers mysterious plan to release
the Union prisoners at Richmond, about which
ye have heard SO much for a month past,
has at last been tried, and has failed. 1t was
yery pretty scheme as Butler conceived it,
and as it appeared upon paper; but, like all
his military plans, from Big Bethel down, it
vas entirely impracticable. He attempted, in
short, to cut the Go,dian knot OF difficulties
into which the exchange Of prisoners question
had been entangled by the cunning OF Ould
and the obtuseness of Meredith with the sword.
'The rebel government at Richmond, he ar
gned treats me as an outlaw, and Wor t give
lp the Union Prisoners. Why not solve the
problem by capturing Richmond, prisoners,
rebel government, and ALP Big With this
brilliant idea, Butler rushes up to Washington
and seeks an interview with General Halleck;
but that officer don't see It.. Secretary Stan
ton is then waited upon, and he OF course IS
delighted, as moving upon the enemy works
without preparation or adequate force IS his
tavorite strategy. Finally Mr.. Lincoln is seen,
and, as the scheme is ingeniously absurd, he
cordially gives it his approval. .
After much deliberation, 1t was decldedthat
The Army of the Potomac should make a5 feint
across the Rapidan to keep Lee employed, while
the rea! attack was to be made by an army NOV
ing briskly up the peninsula But then the
question arose, where this army was to come
from. It would not do to send troops down
from Washington, as their movements would
be noticed by the enemy, and Butler ad bare.
ly enough IN his own department to guard his
lines. At last the bright idea was hit upon OF
raising the siege of Charleston and with the
troops taken from Morris and Folly islands to
capture the rebel capital This accounts tor
the news from Charleston which has so dis
heartened the country The troops were
brought up to the peninsula, and sent upon
their FOOLS errand to Richmond and-back
again General Sedgwick in temporary com:
msnd Of the Army Of the Potomac, did all
that cousd be expected Of him. tie crossed
the Rapidan, and kept Lee employed while
the raid UP the peninsula was made: but the
Kchmond part OF the programme tailed, be-
cause it was absurd to suppose that city
which has been menaced for three years is not
at all times proof against the attack OF any
thing less than great army. All such schemes
to capture Richmond by strategem are based
upon the theory that the rebel ADMINISTRATION
is composed of set Of improvident fools
SO ends this last On to Richmond, the
most unmilitary and sorry exploit Of the war.
We do not believe this scheme received the
Endorsement of any competent military con-,
n,ander Or that it had the remotest chance OF
success. The story that the rebels were warn
ed of their fate by Yankee deserter Is an at
ter thought, TO excuse the failure. .
A bill has been introduced il the Confederate
Congress reaAirming the position of the Con-
tederate Government as to negro soldiers who