Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-07-02
The Grand Campaign.

The prospects Of the operations against
the rebel capital have at last narrowed into
what seems the inevitable alternative that
Richmond must he surrendered or cvacua-
ted. In either case, the fall of Richmond is
ijltcd; but this, however, impressive and
significant to the world rs Il triumph, may
not, perhaps, comprise at once the one stiii
more important rcsult--the capture or ami
hilation of the army under Lee. This able
general will have tu decide how long II will
he useful to defend Richmond against an
enemy whose hand he encounters ON nearly
every side, whose comprehensive prescicncc
and unrcsing action have palalyzed even
the hope of strategy; and then find way
for temporary escape tlum the doomed city,
either north or suUth-or he must make
good the huckncycd boast OF the Richmond
journalists. that the Coniedcracy Will die
defending lts capital. The case is one of
Geuth rather than life, and, whatever the
circumstances, is ultimatelya matter OF "dy-
inr in the last ditch We find it impoSsi-
bic to advuid this view OF the situation,
though months may pass, and many lives
may bc lost, ere the great object of General
Grant j. attained. Tie energy of the Coy
ernment confirms this confidence. No re-
sources will be spared no time will be lost,
TIL the purpose and aspiration OF years of
misfortune and trial arc at last thoroughly
satisfied
SO much has been accomplished toward
the great end uI the campaign that we may
nov fairly attempt to estimate the character
and value OF the service which Gen. Grant
has rendered to the nation: "Bull.dog tie
nacity," the ungcnerOus and reluctant credit
given him by the rebels and his inlmical
critics North, is perhaps the least virtue
which he has shown rs military leauer-
brute force Is by no means the most I'M
portant weapon hc has welded against the
rebel army. Intellect. courage, clear sighted
military skill, and uudauntcd purpose have
all been displayed IN the victorious march
ON Richmond. \ stranger to the campaigns
ut Virginia, Gen, Grant has driven Els Nctc-
ran adversary from position to position, sci
dom using his whole amy for the work ot
lighting, aud oulilanking him from every
diricul stronghold, III, dispositions upon
the Held have rrndcn d 1t Impossible tor the
enemy 10 rvJalale, and hi, prnnpt strategy
has equally cireumScntcd the rebel com
mander AT every point. We have not once
hcard uf Lee attempting 10 turn bis adNcr-
snry, or Ia march norithwurd even the dis
tancc of mile Win any other general Ne
may imagine, from observation ot the past,
what the rebel commander might have duhe
| The Army of the Potomac has hitherto been
driven a. defence, after futile eilofts 10 make
Z hradAay against the stuhlom luflihcat"h'
ul Ice. Gu,ut has go thoroughly reversed
iuo case that, ia a period comparatively
| bnel, Tue rtl,cs ha,U been driven irom hts,
/ lu base, and from stronghold to stronghold
/ continuously buhrn ina scrie, Of bAille'
/ Nilhuui parallel IA the Mar, and lnFced b,
/ masivry combinations back upon lhe imme
diaiu driynee at hiehmund. This d mol
I the result nt brute lnTru' uf "hull ans ic
/ naril,." luT lho l,l,elr have been oufankrt
! lfnm lhrlf best positions, api h iiivrtd bi
| lhu musen.,nls and plans oi lhelf iheAofabi'
/ adycrsary. AZ that they have been abls &
/ 10 has L,en ~ sate ihrus,l,es lfom Tput VI
capiafe. That 1enegal Grant hss bat I
l.fs,f afml than his opp"n'nl docs nal alls
| iht gilfl ul a tinsls slHitt ttnfl' W. N'H
tgfu 20 ,ay that b, has had uD stronger tore
than ang kllini g'a,osl o.afsiipf Va s'd dil