Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-29
Correspondence of the New York News.

ARLINGTON, August II.
From some officers who participated in the
movements at Deep Bottom, on ,he north side OF
the James river, OF the 18th, 18th and 10th
inst, | have derived some very important facts
IL may be improper TO give publicity TO these
facts now as certain movements are in progress
which NAV be affected by them But il will not
be long before the campaign in Virginia assumes
an entirely different phase and then there shall
be some plain speaking. In the meantime,
will say that in the light OF these facts, no one
can doubt that General Grants intention, up to
the 18th at least, was to abandon the siege of
Petersburg to transfer the 5th 9th and 18th
corps also to the north side of the James river
and to move on Richmond directly from the east
His Information in regard 10 the number of
troops which. General Lee had sent away from
Richmond and Petersburg TO the north and west
was positive that he had good reason TO be
lieve that the number of Confederate troops left
for the defense of those two cities did not amount
to one half of the number of men that he had in
the five corps on the James river; and by far the
larger proportion of this force be knew was at
Petersburg His plan to reach. Richmond
from the east by rapid movement. and to take
the confederate capital by coup de main 1t
for this reason that the troops selected for
this movement were the very flower OF the army;
HancOck's magnificent corps, the splendid corps
led by the gallant and experienced Birney, who
as soldier has proved himself to be worthy
successor to Kesrney.) General Gregg's veteran
cavalry, ard very efficient artillery train No
negro troops were put forward this time.
Il was intended, if the operations Of the 18th
were successful. to bring over the remainder of
the army and finish the campaign at a single
blow. But those operations. and the operations
of the 9th also, resulted in complete and un-
expected failure Gen. Grant. premises were
correct; his information in regard to certain
bodies of troops having been sent away from
Richmond was quite accuraie-but his reasoning
and conclusions were alike false Weak e. the
Confederates in front OF Richmond we're. he
found, even oil she 18th. that they were too
strong for the force that he had With him; while
on the 10Th they we're largely reinforced from
Petersburg Thers was nothing to do therefore.
but 10 abandon the attempt reach Richmond
from the east The attempt was ihereupon aban-
doned
But Grants "tenscity of purpose, az his adj
mirers call it. really his modification at being
40 baffied aud his delight in the useless shedding
OF human blood. led him to remain there till the
both. and 10 expose his gallant men to the need.
less battles OF the l1th, 18th and 18Th on the
LAST Of which dsys the Coniederates we're the
attacking party, and in oil of which engage
ments our troops suffered severely. On the Doth,
the 81 and l0gh corps reoined the rest Of the
army on The south side Of the river. having los:
during the preceding six DAYS. six thousand of
their brave comrades
The attack OF the Weldon Railroad on the
lsih. by the 9Th corps. was ordered by General
Grant because be believed that n that time there
were scarcely any Confederate troops at Peters
burg at all And: indeed, the success OF that
attack was owing TO the fact that great many
of the troops at Petersburg had been sent to the
north side of the James river on the 10th But
il is believed By those who have the best oppor
tunity to know, that the COnfederates will now
concentrate their whole strength at that point,
and will compe The abandonment Of the Weldon
Railroad again. Indeed IL y reported here
70 day. that they have already succeeded in
doing so.
Matters on the line OF The Potomac continue
TO be in a very alarming condition. No intel-
gent observer can fail to see that the COnfederates
masters Of the situation there. and that Gen
Sheridan j playing role very different from
what was intended for him and expected Of him
No excep; willfully blind person can fail
TO see that II II i part of the general rebel plan
for General Early 10 cross the Potomac and in
wade Maryland and Pennsylvanis. he can DO so
in spite Of al the opposition that Gen Sheridan
can make he Indications to day are that Gen
EsrIy's Reconnaissance disclosed 10 him the 10
Gallon aud strength Of Sherii.n's main BODY. and
that he will avoid that and operate elsewhere
There are reports prevailing the effect that the
main BODY Of the Confederate force have left
MartasbuFg moving toward Hancock. a. il TO
cross there, or ~ cut of Gen. kellys con nald
AZ Cumberland