Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-07-15
Letter from Rev. j. Fl. Beckwith.
BERMUDA HUNDRED, july 5.

its close, l spoke Of the Importance OF
this station of Gen. ButIor's and the con-
sequent success, rather than failure, which
attended his movement. Wise (O news
paper editors had characterized Buffers
expedition here as a blunder. If you
follow the history of the campaign think
you will find all | saiG of the Importance
of Buffers move morethan confirmed
1t is true that he found it necessary to
withdraw from around Drury's Bluff, but
bis enterprise there was undoubtedly cor
rect for that. It was wise to penetrate
as far towards Richmond as possible, and
il he fornd the way open, to capture it.
But with his comparatively small force it
was not really to be expected that that
could be done. The result proved that
be was not strong enough to capture Fort
Darling and take Richmond. Therefore
he fell back to this place, which is a PEI
ninsula that can be fortified from river to
river and held against almost any force,
then threatening Richmond and its south
ern communications and compelling the
rebels TO keep a large force here for de-
fence. Once their forces were Withdrawn
when an expedition was sent out which
would have captured Petersburg bad not
one division failed of its duty. But be-
fore night troops came laundering down
from Richmond in great numbers, and the
opportunity not again offered. Thus was
Lee weakened and Grant aided. But
he time came when Grant, before Rich
nond, thought best to move around on
he south side, Then it was that the
great importance Of this stronghold be>
'ame most apparent Here was a forth
led base already prepared for him, and
Without which the movement would have
'een extremely hazardous. When we
leard that Grant and the army of the
Potomac we're moving this way the dull
st mind saw the wisdom, the almost in
piration which had previously prepared
i'm a perfectly secure base for future
perations. Whenever you see in the
use editorials of papers, written a thou
and miles from the scene of operations,
r hear men orally denouncing the folly
Ben. Butler, you may tell them they
now nothing about it, and if they will
,me down here and look over the ground
ley will reverse their decision and come
lalIy to know that this was one of the
'st movements of the campaign. There
no one here who does not believe that
Buffers original force had been double
bat it was he would have taken Rich
ond at the first dash. But I am not
laliied to write a military disquisition.
erhaps l have already written more
AN you like to publish. But when
edmond falls it will be found that it
as compelled to yield by operations on
,e south side.
We are now very quiet along the front,
,arcely enough doing to make it interest
lg. Our regment-2d U. S. Colored
avaIry-lies close to the Notifications so
allantly taken from the rebels by the
)lored troops week before last, and any
ny one who looks upon the works taken,
nd still doubts the bravery of colored
oops may be set down as simply incor-
gible.
Last sabbath appeared the most like
lie sabbath of any day have seen since
have been in the army, quiet, and in
lost of the regiments by order of Gems.
rant and Smith there was divine SER
ice. AS rode along the lines to my
ppointment | learned that that an order
adj been given to open on the enemy at
yelve o'clock at night, So that the news
light reach Philadelphia by noon yester-
ly that Petersburg had fallen. But for
,me reason the attack was not made and
e fourth passed off as one of the most
liet days of the campaign. We could
'siIy take Petersburg, We are within
nee fourths of a mile of it. We could
Ike It or knock it down in two hours, but
e enemy have strong works on the hills,
lie other side of the Appomattox, and
icy would have to be carried to make
lie place tenable, and our commanders
7idently think it would not be worth .
hat it would cost. Before this reaches
u it may have fallen. But Gen. Grant :
'pears in no hurry. He says, "we now :
i've the rebellion by the throat, and if
e but hold on it must soon be strangled
if we hold here but little while the
hunters may go home 10 four months"
cd grant that be may be inspired.
Ever yours,
j. II. BECKwITH.