The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-02
THE GREAT CONFLICT.

Glance Rt the war-Review OF the Ope-
rntiOns Of all of Our Armies rheIr
Positions and PrOspects--Status of che
Rebellion, &c. ........
GENERAL VIEW.
The ideas Of concentration enunciated BY
General GRANT at the beginning Of his control OF
the American army have resulted favorably to
our cause. General GRANT has not only shown
himself to be great genius in military matters,
but he has proved TO be good General, infinitely
better than any we have ever had before. Previous
to the war in all probability, ho had never seen i've
thousand men under arms at one time yet, with a
brief experience, we find him capable Of handling
nearly two hundred thousand men in a creditable
manner. OF course, he or no other man can
fight or manguvre moro than ten thousand
men in battle in this country but, like Gene
raj LEE, he finds avenues for the di-
rsction of a heavier force in the course
of heavy battle. General GRANT Is not
a consummate strategst, either yet he Is equal
TO LIE, and we believe superior, inasmuch as the
invading general must shape his own strategy,
and yet weigh properly the designs Of his
antagonist. General GRANT has not the
impetnosity of an ambitious conqueror
Like WAsHISoToN, he would rather give his
countrymen civil liberty than rule an empire !;
like NAPOLEON, he would sooner set up Demo-
cracy and human welfare than sustain or estab-
lish absolute monarchies. In this he shows
very clear and staiesmanlike appreciation Of the
needs of his country and her people. He aspires
to conquest only in so far as the success Of our
armies and the reconstruction of the Union may
demand It, more radical system would bring
peace sooner but not so aoceptably nor so lasting,
wo opine.
ARMY or TaE POTOMAC.
This is the strongest of all our armies, and
holds the most important position. II holds
both banks of the James river, and both banks
of the Appomattox river The right of our line
| rests on the north bank of the James, and the
left on the south of Petersburg. Our lines have
now been extended by an operative army under
| the supervision Of WARREN and HANCOCK, which
has taken up a position across the line of the
Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, about twelve
miles south Of the former place, and not far north
Of the southern boundary line of Virginia. A
movement is now in progress to extend our
left wing TO some point on the Rich mond
and DAnvllle Railroad. There is no inten-
ton to hold the latter permanently, how
ever, but only to destroy it in as efectual q
been sent south, along the Weldon road, to more
perfectly render it beyond repair These destruc-
tive movements will have their great effect upon
the enemy and, perhaps, before this he is suffer-
ing greatly from them.
A great advantage is gained to our army other
than this in these movements. We shall be eua-
BILE to assault Petersburg and Richmond in the
rear, and possibly we shall be able to force LBs
A.. lzV... .ua
he will certainly be defeated, and defeat may be
followed by disaster, and this by an honorable
peace. On LEE at Richmond hangs the fate Of the
Southern Confederacy, because he is the great
Rebel leader, and has the grand army. It is the
Rebel capital, in which everything that makes
the Confederacy power is ensconced. By tho
movement 20 the south bank of the James river,
General GRANT has not only cut off the main
avenues Of supply to Richmond, but he has at
the same coup de gnerre cut off all lines of
retreat; and while he takes the risk of having
his own army overthrown and destroyed, he has
obliged General LEE to take much greater and
less promising risks.
The advantages secured to US by GRANTS
movements are unmistakable, and but one thing
is wanting to render our success beyond per-
adventure-and that very soon--and that is more
men. .H. H.. ..r" hoo
Every battle now fought entails loss upon us
which can be replaced promptlyi but to tho
enemy every engagement must prove vital in
jury, and one which cannot be cured, and entail
losses which cannot be filed up by them. This
is irrespective of the loss of position or supply.
The security of our position Is great feature.
The country is healthy and easily defended. Our
lines of communication untrammeed by the
enemy. Our forces can operate Extensively until
the middle of December, and then rest through
winter which is seldom severe or of long dura-
tion. But we will not hesitate to express the
opinion that General Lbs will be overthrown be-
fore the first day of December.
POI DEPARTMENT oP THE SOUTH.
General FosTER has not force enough to make
any important offensive movement, aud it will he
enough for him If he can securely hold all of our
posts on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia.
We shall not take Charleston now before the fall
of Richmond. The same may be said of General
| INNS N. PALMER in North Carolina.
YARIAGUT AND GRANGER.
Admiral DAVID G. FARRAGuT has taken Fort
Morgan, and is now operating against the city of
Mobile. General GoRDoN GRASGgR has landed
most of his litte veteran army on the main land
| ihsef allu VIII ihoNb upho Ous llfoI
along the bay. He will then proceed along the
Shell road due west until he meets the enemy and
prepares to att SEX the southern deten,es of
Mobile If any be found 10 att ,ck. The reason
we doubt Of the existence Of these works is
because We have Eeyer heard Of them yet,
but they may be found, aad may be to- far from
the Alabama river to be shy!lsI by our hest The
possession Of Mobile will BE- OF great assistance
u General SHERMAN, inIcpeuden, Of any OthGr
great advantages which MAY a3orue to u.s.. II We
had it now, General SHERMAN could ut once
abPndon the line OF railroad to Chattanooga, and
taking Atlanta and defeating HOOD, he could
move at once east Of the Alleghanies to Mont
gomery, and open up direct and close commun-
cation with Mobile. Charleston, Wilmington,
and other important places would then fall, and
the entire South would be virtually in our hands
DEPARTMENT OF THE oULF-CANBY AND BANKS.
The former commands all the armies operating
in the grand military division Of the West Mis-
sissippi and the latter is virtually military COVER
nor Of Louisiana. General GRASGRR's army Is
under command of General CANBY. The cause
Of General CAEBY's rapid promotion is due
mainly TO the fact of his having acted for a long