The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-06-22
The CAMPAIGN on the South Side.


II has been The opinion Of able military
men, since she first demonstration was
msde on Richmond, that il was liable to
capture only when assaiIed from the south
side. General Grant seems 10 have arrived
at TIE rameconclusion, bat not until be
had Jailed by the overland and Peninsula
routes 10 reach that city. II is true that he
sacrificed more than fifty thousand men in
reaching his present. base, when he might
have gone there without the loss of man !;
but this is considered OF little consequence
80 long as there is hope Of occupying r ch-
mond. General Grant adopted this last
plan from necessity, not choice, but il pre-
seDts nevertheless many advantages. The
disposition OF the armies secures his base
OF supplies from attack whether located at
Bermuda Hundred or City Point. Petersburg
Will be taken, possibly, alter a sharp fight
The railroad south TO Weldon will be sever
comparatively isolated. from Riohmon5
Not only will this isas of communication
be rendered useless TO the Confederaies,
bot other equally important railroad Goa
nections may be temporarily destroyed by
the Federal Cavalry. The army oi General
Lee and tho citizens of Riche1ond ara de-
pendent upon these railroads and The James
River Canal for supplies. There is the pos
sibih,y Al least of investing and capturing
Orury's Bluff, which was of conrse ia no
danger when Grants army was north Of the
James. This fort is The only formidable OBJ
siruc,ion in the passage oil the iron clsGs,
for the sunken boats and other distractions
in ihe river could be easily removed
Drury's Blaf is. therefore, the key TO the
Rebel Capitol, aud with its capture The
Capitol whGid be abandoned. Thus il will
have been observed that the south side
offers peculiar facilities for aggressive ope-
rations against the confederate capital.
Ii is claimed on the other hand, by The
Contederaies, that the defenses of Rich
mond on the south side are as strong as
those which have heretofore defied the
power Of The Northern arGy. II is certain
the topography OF the country admits Of the
construction of precisely the same character
Of fieId-works as those in Spottsylvania and
along The line OF the Chckahominy. Be-
yond all question General Lee anticipated
Grants last change OF base, for his army
moved from their works toward Richmond
with The march Of the federaIs
10 the James. That Lee Gid not assail
their moving columns is accepted by some
as an evidence Of The weakness of his for
ces and the consequent inability to hazard
a battle outside OF his entertainments; but
there are others who believe that the willy
Lee would not interrupt the movement,
which he conceives will result in the final
overthrow OF that army. The Federals
moved from Spousylvania without opposi-
lion; bot they found Lee in even stronger
position in Hanover. And when they re-
tired across the North Anna, they were not
pursued, and the passage of The Pamunkev
was made without resistance; yet there tbe
Confederstes were found more strongly
posted Than they were bofore. This flank
ing business Of General Grant was then
heralded as great success, which it subse-
quenlly proved not to be. AS each move
ment placed the Federal Army in wotse
situation, of course il was not Gen. Lee s
policy 10 check Is; so that he my have
dee med il unwise 10 oppose the ;fansfef CT
lhe same army across the James.
r To assume that General Lee wac zach
lime surprised is TO question the vigilance
and ability of the first of living generals
His inactivity, which allowed Gen. Grant to
plunge from one predicsmeni to another,
mil he reached the Chick ahominy, was
nssterly and significant The fact that no
was attempted with the Feder
Il army TO its new line may have deeper
meaning. The lighting has commenced, J
lRd important results will shortly be devel !
'ped.