The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-06-03
The Contest in Virginia.

Two acts in the Virginia drama are over
and already the third progresses with a celer-
ity not inferior to that of those which have
gone before, and with portent of a den0ue-
ment no less bloody, and no less momentous.
Roughly generalzing the campaign hitherto,
it is succession of fanking and fighting
Of fighting, in order to flank, Of thanking in
order to tight. First CAME ten days of fierce,
pitched battles. the two gladiators rejoicing
in strength, and wrestling with thirsty fury.
The next ten found the com5atants HOP eX-
haustef, II not less yind!ctive, and manmuv-
ring was prominent, with deadly subordinate.
Two fields have now been thoroughly
fought ont aul abandoned. The closed rec
Ords OF Spottsylvania and the Wilderness,
display slml!ltnde, not only in their general,
but in several particular features. The main
! topography of the regions was not unlike.
The method of joining battle analogous
At both points the disposition of each army
to accept the Onus of attack was striking.
n series OF fierce battles, unparalleled for
severity in American annals, was the sub
stantlai story OF both. At each, the summa-
ry of any days fighting, showed it usually
but an lndeclslve struggle. or, if the palm OF
temporary success was now awarded to one
party and anon to the other, no such thing
as Waterloo result, so often predicted, was
nowhere discriminate. The contending
forces learned by many d hard ant weary
days night, from dawn to dusk, to expect on
! ly to sleep on their arms and in their morn
/ ing lines, without Wrenching a rood OF
ground from their obstinate foe. If ausht
else is needed to fill the parallel, the silent
withdrawal, at length Of the imperiled enc
my, the instant pursuit, and the conduct Of
both the fight and chase, may he added.
Indeed, II is this latter fact which now at
tracts ones attention. Which Of the two
leaders first left bis ground? So closely did
the Union general follow, both at Spottsyl-
vania and Wilderness, that IS commonly
thought that he rather forced the marching
by himself initiating it. Oar own judgment
IS that, at both places, it was Genera. Lee
TIA. frs changed position. In thi, view.
the movement Of Gen. Grant was rather =
pursuit thar an outtianking; though, in ci-
tner case, the desired end vas attained. Or.
TO speak more precisely, the intention Ia
flank seems to have been boldly projected
by the Union general. and the other, not sur
rrised, as is commonly said, but fatnoming
the intent. moves OFF out Just before its eX-
rcution. The cool withdrawal from Germa-
MA ford, before the fierce roar Of Friday
battle IN the Wilderness had died away, and
before news of any retirement OF the enemy
seems TO have reached hlm, shows a definite
, purpose on the part O. Gen. Grant to thrust
. himself across the enemv's road to Rich
mond No less does the similar Withdrawal
Of our right on Thursday and again on Fri
. day. the first attempt being tOied by Ewell
indicate similar purpose, independent o
any scheme 0: the enemy. let. III bott
cases, the rebel general actually began /.
march his al before our own was moved
anticipating the attempt 70 flank. preiacln!
; it in both Cases by savage and partially sue
cesSful rush upon our right wing. hen has
thy bu. in order re;rrat.ng. Il : this whic!
gives, We repeat, our intended outIi4nkin:
the character Of a pursuit. On either sup
: position, however. the withdrawal VAS equal,
compulsory, and was the les:ti.Aat, s.qInl o
: The Union generals Efforts.
: As the campaign rolls on. the plan wh.c
] unfolding events clearly reveal As the oa
|. which General GRAFT had liked upon 10. II
amy under his personal supervision. seem
{ to be crowned with steady Success. Not a
i his suborlinare> have been equally fortunate
g But he oUly a.p-.d> on them - par otf. e
- i were. Win 'rr ~"Nnj o-~r,rs - -r"'~ ron
. The h..,u a-r..e- II conquest be- j-a> uua
!. his own shoulders. 1t peas rnw tuY. III
: tailur, %, TRAM Nod ,~ the taiIur" oi a
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