The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-12-22
ORT ROYAL, S. c., THURSDAY, DECEMBER e. 1S{

of the army, the movement must have
been made with view to destroy Lees
line communications, and thereby act
indirectly upon Petersburg and Rich
mond siill it would seem that \ move
mcnt upon Burksvilie junction would
have been attended with more immediate
and decisive results.
Since Gen. Grants occupation of the
upper portion Of the Weldon road, the
enemy has been confined to the SOuthside
and Danville roads for direct means of
communication with the South. He has
also used the Weldon railroad below Sto-
ny creek station to considerable extent,
wagoning supplies from that station to a
favorable point upon the Souihside road,
and thence to Petersburg. In order to
facilitafe transportation, he had caused
t5be constructed branch leading from
Stony creek station, over the turnpike in
southwesterly direction, to the South
sile road. THIS was nearly completed
when General Gregg made his reconnois-
noisance on the 3nth ult., and has now
doubtless been fully destroyed by Gen.
Warrupis advance.
WeNoa is an important point, and
comiiands the seabOar,l and Roanoke
road leading from Norfulli, and the Gas
ton aisl Roanoke valley, leading to
Clarkssille. The latter road is part OF
the grand chain of southern communicf-
tion, aed ii held, can materially interfere
with the movement Of supplies for Lees
army, or the dispatch of troops to aid the
armies in departments south of this point.
Weldon Is situated upon the Roanoke
river, a stream which is navigable nearly
its entire distance from Plymouth, which
has recently been captured by our forces.
Ii is also within fifteen miles OF Walton
on the Chowan river, which is also navi-
gable for quite large class of gupboals.
Since General Warreus movement va
riOus theories have been advanced re-
sDecting bis intentions. The Richmond
and Petersburg papers assert that the
movement is really toward Weldon
S,nle northern military critics have de-
clared that the expedition intended to
swing around upon the Southside road,
and endeavor TO sever that important line
of communication. Others Of this class
have associated with the movement a
corporation on the part OF the feet in
Albemarle Sound, which should pene-
trate the Roanoke and Chowan rivers sui-
ticiently far to open communication with
General Warren when he should reach
Weldon. Others Sill look upon it as q
grand reconnaissance made for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the true position ct
Lees army, and to aid in drawing of part
OF the rebel force, so that General Grant
may make demonstration upon the I'M.
mediate defenses OF Richmond. Which
ever theory is correct will be shown vely
soon. In the meantime, it, is believed
that every portion Of General Grants
command is prepared for active opera
tions, which are intended to seriously
discoacert Lees plans and materially
change the position Of his army. Lee
canno. satfer General Warren to progress
unopposed to his destination, whether it
be Weldon or BIecksville Junction, and
il he withdraws any large number Of his
troops from Petersburg or Richmond TO
operate agains. Warren, he will weaken
his lines in General Grants immediate
front to such an extent us to certainly en-
danger the safety 0f Petersburg and, per-
haps, Richmond.
- --------------------------.l-
An Irish painter declares in an adver-
tisement that amony other nOrtrai.s he