The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-05-06
The Virginia Campai@n---SpecuI
tiOns upon thc Noinentous Con.


Mr.. CIAMER, editor OF the Milwaukee
Wisconsin, writes from New York, on the
23rd, as follows:
1t is no figure OF speech to say that all cves
are turned upon Gen. Grant 1t is impossible
TO express the deep earnest feeling of ali classes
as the hour Of the conflict approaches. Men
who talked secession perceive the immense
volcano under our feet if Grant fails. and there
fore they are becoming devoted Union men.
and consider no sacrifice too great to aid the
man who may be the saviour of our country.
Lees merit is appreciated. 1t is now to be de-
cided whether he or Grant is the first soldier
OF the age Wherever l go I am asked as n
Western man, Will Grant win? | reply that |
have profound faith in Grant, but he never
before had such difficulties to encounter. He
operates in country that he does not know.
lie has an army that he has never handled.
Lee knows every foot of the country and has
the picked men of the South His army are
veterans that have endured everything that
man can endure. They will fight the more
desperately in what many consider the last bat.
Tie for their independence; and never before
felt doubt of Grants success until now.
Heretofore wherever he moved, like Julius
Cesar, he was sure to carry victory, but the
odds are now more against him. Yet there is
something in the man which makes me feel
certain faith that he will work our SUCCESS
even when SO many despair.
THE CURRENT FEELING.
L know sensible and sagacious men who
are warm patriots too, who are now buving
and selling property in this city, under the con
viction that Grant will be defeated and gold
rise to 200. l cannot blame them. for they saw
they mus: provide for the dread future. Opin-
ions so widely differ, that 1 would say that q
majority OF those | meet think that Grant must
go down before Lee These are not Southern
yVh how 60, l,,1:.
ing that Lee has the best army, and that there
are treacherouS officers yet in command i'm the
Army oil the Potomac, and who will fail to do
their whole duty when Grant fights his battle
with Lee. That is the imminent fear. But I
learn that Gen. Grant does not intend to RELY
solely upon the Army OF the Potomac. Three
corps are to come from the WeSt-one of these
Gen. Hurlbuts corps, contains a number of
Wisconsin regiments. When these &C, 900 men
arrive in Virginia Grant will be prepared to
meet Lee, but not before. They are coming
now. | hear, as it We're, the tramp of the
hardy sons of the West who are to join
with our Eastern brethren in the last
be ready before the 18th of May, perhaps not
until the first of June. In the meanwhile, we
must expect every possible dscOuragement-
defeat and disaster elsewhere. and q gloom
more profound than that which covered the
country previous to Vicksburg and Donelson
w Hcu tile sun UOeS SHINE IL VIII illuminate the
whole continent from the Bay of Fundy to the
banks Of the Rio Grande. The retention of
Gen. Haleck is considered one of Grants mis-
fortunes, but that appointment, it is believed
here, has been forced on him by President Lin
coin. 1t was expected and iutented when
Grant was made a Lieutenant General, the
country would get rid of Gen. Haeck, but the
President has bafflcd the wishes of Congress
and the people. Yet Grant is man of iron
resolution, and he will hold a steady hand over
Halleck, and may prevent him doing any mis-
chief or neglect of duty. The appointment of
Smith, Sheridan and Mcpherson to army corps
in Virginia is deemed a good sign, but these
appointments spring from Gen. Grant. and not
from the President.
LEE MAY ATTACK.
The reports <o-day are that Lee is moving to
attack Grant-the latter is not ready, and that
Lee must know, and his wise opportunity is to
assail Grant at once. Hence, it is possible that
we may have a fight in Virginia before the
middle of May, but we do NOS think that the
really decisive battle will be fought until the
Western Corps joins Grants army. Then he
dare venture on bold operations, and the Peo-
pie may be assured if Lee comes within strik-
ing distance the thunderbolt will not be long
delayed.