Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-07-06
BUT If RICHMOND SHOULD Be
TAKEN WHAT THEN?
From the London Times, Jane 9Th

General Grant is not actually nearer 10
Richmond than Mcclellan has been. lie
is, in all probability, not so near at this
minute, after losing half an army, as But
Ter IS; but though he las accomplished
ouly thirty miles cut Of the fifty, he has
done this in spite of the utmost resistance
which the best army and tie best Gener-
al Of the Conrederatcs could oppose to his
advance. He has not beaten that army,
but lie refuses 10 consider that army as
having beaten him. He has suffered re-
pulses and losses enough TO discourage
less obstinate commander, hut he per-
ststs in disregardng them, and in pursu-
ing his course at any cost.
The other day, if the account Of his
flank movement be true, he appears to
have thought that if he could get to Rich
mOnd he would he content to leave The
whole Confederate army in his rear,
though the result must have placed him
between two fires, with strong city in
front, Gnd an army as strong as his own
behind him. lie says in plain words, but
without gascOnade, that TO Richmond he
will 60. lie las spent 10000 of his men
/ in getting halfway, but he does not hag-
gle about cost. His adversary retires de-
li5cr ta,v uo'0~a i'm, making preconcert-
cd haGs IE CHOSEN positions, lepulsiug cv-
cry assault, and then retiring afresh. At
this rate Lee will ultimately find himself
within the lines Of Richmond, and Grant
before them. Then what is to happen.
Instead Of spccuIatiug further oil a
question iuYolyipg 50 many uncertain
ties, let us seek information from another
narrative which has been excluded from
the notice it merits by the superior inter
e.t attached to the campaign in Virginia.
Virginia his not yet been occupied by the
Ftderols, but there is a State in the Con-
ieicracy where an occupation Of this char
actcr has been established ard matured
under circumstances more favorable 10
the invaders than would occur anywhCre
else. Louisiana has been more or less in
/ the grasp OF the North for some time
New Orleans fel! earll in the war, The
Mississippi and lis tributaries, iatQrsecl-
ing the state, have enabled the North to
/ take advantage 10 he utmost Of its naval
ascendency. 4 whole campaign was de
voted hy Grant himself to the capture Of
Nicksburg and tie openingof that mighty
river, until at last the Federal gunboats
com maded tie whole stream. louisiana
in short. was regarded os conquered. -
/ Glncral Banks was appointed to govern
the State, and il Cas held to have Yccoy-
crel even its title to the Plrlnm entary
( franchise. Tho capture Of Richmond
could DO no more indeed, would not do
half so much for the conquest Of Virglnn
as events had combined TO do for the con-
quest Of Louioiana. Well in this "con-
qucrcd" State, just two months ago, the
Goyerno set out on an expedition to-
wards a certain town within his own do
minion. 1t sounds Ill for tho tranquility
Of his Government TO say that he took
with him on bis journey an army Of 80 600
men and q strong force Of gunboats. It
sounds worse 10 say that even these for
ces have not saved him from q complete
defeat in The fed aud an ignominons re-
treat. Yet all this is literally true.-
Banks, within the limits Of tho State un-
der his own command, has been beaten
in battle, and forced TO retreat how he
can, In corner Of his province there
were rival authorities rejecting his juris-
diction, aud owing allegiance to the Con
Iederlcy. Ii was desirable to unset this
rival Government, and, besides, il was be-
loved that the expedition might bring
out large quantities Of tho cotton suppos-
ed 10 be stored in those parts. This eX-
plot. if it could be pchieged, would turn
the balance of trade in favor Of the United
States. and this, aga n, would diminish
the export Of gold from New York, and
80 relieve Mr.. Chase from portion of his
endorsements. With these objects,