The weekly union record., 1864-06-18
General Grants Victory.


Although General Graut has not vet reached
the objective point of his campaign and con
summsted Its purpose. his success since be
crossed the Rspidan. on Wednesday last.
juSlihes the use Of the word victory. When
be set ont with tie design Of fighting bis way
through TO Richmond, he took The risk of being
arrested in his progress by Lees army, beaten.
and driven back across ,he Rapidan Whether
his advance were slow or rapid, it would be s
success so long as it was not arrested and a
greater success in proportion to the magnitude
Of the obstacles encountered and overcome in
his progress. Lee. who lay c0uched ike q
lion in his path. would pounce upon him al
that point where the chance of success seemed
greatest; and the terrible obS,iuacy of Thurs
days and fridays lighting indicates that the
resistance was at lis maximum on the last OF
those days. II so. that is il Lee 10 his retreat
toward Richmond. is not falling back 10 meet
reinforcements, the rebel strength is broken,
and we may confidently calculate on The com
plete attainment OF the objects OF the campaign.
The only point of soictude that We can row
think OF il the uncertainty as to the exact
position OF Besuregard. Ii he had joined Lee
aad participated in Fridays battle. vista is
opened through which we can see .'lhe begin
ming of The end II Beauregard was with
Lee. General Grant has encountered the latter
10 his utmost strength; and having trinmphed
over this, there is little to apprehend from any
subsequent resistance Lee may seek stronger
position; but we suppose there is no position
this side of Richmond which may not be turned;
and il be takes refuge within the Notifications
Of Richmond. be can be encircled. deprived Of
supplies, and starved out, if the place should
not be sooner taken By siege.
The most natural. because the most iudicious
use Lee could make of all MS effective troops
in the vicinity of Richmond was to order them
up TO his support; for if be could succeed in
repeling ard routing Grant. he could after
wards take care of Butler at his leisure. The
fact ha; among the names OF rebel generals
killed or disabled in Fridays battle are some
known 10 have been recently employed in the
southern Atlantic States. confirms the impres
sion that Lee was true TO the ordinary rebel
policy Of utmost concentration at the vital
point To beat and drive back Grant would
be to gain everything; Lee probably essayed
TO do this with all bis strength-and has failed
Frustrated in this capital ohject and having
no longer any reasonable hope of W,hs audlng
General Gruut's advance, the most natural
thing for Lee to do wonld be TO fall back
rapidly to Richmond. obstructng the roads as
much as possible behind him, anticipating, il
possible, the arrival OF Graut by space of time
sufficient for falling, with supe rior force upon
Butler, and crushing him while be is isolated
This done, be could put into Richmond force
sufficient to man its fortiications ard use the
bulk Of his army for keeping open communica
tions with the South, and harassing The
beSiegers
General Grant is, OF course, quick to perceive
these possibilities. or more probbbly, be anlic-
ipated them in his original plan. The safety
of General Butler will depend upon the ra pidi' :
and vigor Of General Grants pursuit of the
retreating foe. II he keeps close upon the heels
of Lees army, promptly overpoweriug his resi-
guard as often as it offers resistance. he NAV
reach Richmond nearly as soon as his flying
antagonist. 10 that case, the bird will be
caught in q snare from which it is not easy tC
see how be can extricate himself General
Grant seems as comprehensive in strategy as ht
is vigorous in action. His combinations embrace
the West as well as the East in one simutane
Gus pla0 OF operations, whose success, thus far
is of the most fortunate augury. If this cam
paign ends as well as it has began, all patriotic
citizens will vie with one another in testifyine
their profound gratitude and admiration OF thu
true, tried and able soldier.-Ne1C York World