New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-05
PETERsBURG - CAUSES AMI
RESOLTe,

| Inc pcHbrol hno "AAosSN avn
the first, that the failure at Petersburg was due
primarily to blundes, finds ample confirma-
ton in tho concurrent testimony Of correspond
ents. Reluctant to citiciso, We lave withheld
censure till it seems essential to delay no longer.
We have to sag, therefores
1. Gen. Grants plan was well matured, FEAST
BILE, and ought to have succeeded. Had it sue
ceeded, Petersburg would have fallen.
9. Details Of its execution were left to Con.
Meade, who is tho Executive Oaicer Of the
Army of the Potomac. LIE is responsible for
the choice OF troops composing the assaulting
column, and for all such arrangements as did
not fall specially within the province Of corps
commander.
3. Gen. Burnsides corps having been designated
to carry tie Cemetery Hill, that General be-
comes responsible for the handling of his troops
upon the Gold, unless relieved Of it by specific
orders. Upon him. therefore, or upon Gen.
Meade, seems TO be the blame of the delay
which interviewed between the spriEging of the
mine and the forward movement Of tho column
of assault, which was the first and probably
fatal error OF the actual field 1t IL plain that
the explosion should have been instantly fol.
lowed by the assault; yet there was delay
Of from half an hour to an hour giving time
for the enemy to recover from his surprise
and concentrate his forces on the point ind-
Gated for assault.
| 4. Sill worse was the conduct of the division
20 which tho attack was intrusted. Starting
late, there was Just one hope for ito attack
with inipetuosity. Instead of which, Gen. Led
lie halted his column within the crater formed
by the explosion, and wasted invaluable time in
digging out two guns hesitation utterly in
applicable. The two guns were as nothing to
cover the movement of his column. To have
success, and was thrown away.
so far ss generalship goes, our criticism stops
with tho fnt advance Of the troops. When
Ledlie actually moved, the best hope Of victory
had departed, but his men went forward with
certain degree of resolution. Their officers tried
hard to carry them up the hill. but tho fire
which delay had permitted tho enemy 10 direct
upon them was terrific, aud they came back
again. The assault was neither heroic
in its steadiness, nor dlsgraceful by pre-
cipitate retreat. Considering to what needless
peril the men were exposed, aud that the sery
ice on which they were sent is the most difficult
in war. they behaved well. The second as
sault, by tho division Of colored troops, was as
resolute as tho frSt-apparentiy neither more
nor less 50. But they were put to do On impoS-
sible thing. When the first column had been
ppulsed there was no longer any hope. except
in superhuman valor.
So much for the causes Of this repulse, now
as to its military results.
II Gen. Grant had sucoeeded-as he had
right to expect-he would, a. We said above,
have taken Petersburg. Cemetery Hill is
the key TO the whole system Of Rebel defenses.
But the failure is the failure Of one effort--by
no means Of the SIEGE or Of the operations
against Richmond. The losses are not heavy
are, in fact, less than in any previous engage
ment Of Importance. The repulse is discussed
as if it were decisive while it is not even
S0FlOuS. lHtIo ID thlh vi LEU oonuiht
his main army 10 reinforce Early 10 re-
enforce Hood; ~ i opeyution:. near Peters.
burg were at an end. We should like to
believe lie has dono either. When Hancock
crossed the james before the explosion oil Sat-
urday and his feint compelled the detachment
of portion of Lees force to meet him. Leo
was nearer to destruction than ever before; aud
well knows it. We cannot believe he will ris K
the permanent separation Of corps from his
Petersburg garrison, taught, as he has been.
with what indomitable resolution his adversary
clings to bis purpose. But If he has; if Hill
has gone to Early. by the Shenandoah or
upon tho Rappahsnuock, the initiative
which Grant hss maintained from the beginning
Of this campaign Is none the less his at this
moment. Nothing can relax his hold upon
Richmond which the position south Of tho
James secures him, nor will that position ever
be relinqaished. If Hill goes to Early. Gen.
Grant NAV gladly send force enough to the
Potomac to destroy tho combination, but he
will not he content with that achievement
alone. II is likely be does contemplate
settling this Shenandoah business decis-
ive!y-be tho enemys force what it may
but should il prove that Lee is caj0led hy the
show OF succoss at Petersburg into sending