Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-08
FRO,t WASHINGTON
GLOON AND DErEEssIoN II WASHINGTON o. SC
COUNT or GRANTS DEFEAT-PR0bABLITY THAT
THE ARMY WILL BIZ wITHDRAwS FROM PETFEs-
BURG--FAILURr or SHERMAN At ATLANTA


Correspondence Of TIE New York New.
WAsHlNeroN, August ,
In exploding his mine at Petersburg, General
Grand has exploded also the silly and wicked de
fusion that the north can conquer the south.
That explosion failed to open up the way 10 Pc
tersburg. but il opened up the way to peace which
j. even better. This statement may seem strange,
but make il upon the strength OF what | have
seen and heard since the Presidents return from
General Grant Old Abes face is never very
expressive Ii usually has a ludicrous mixture
OF comic drolery and woe BECOME grief. But il
is remarked that in the last twenty four hours
the President has neither smiled nor has he
cracked a single joke, smutty or otherwise. Like
drunken man sobered by sudden shock, he
has become sobered by the facts in regard to Pc
tersburg which he learned from General Grant.
And these facts, which he has communicated
confidentially TO those around him who are init
mate with his feelings forbid the hope that Rich
mond can be taken this summer or By the army
under Grants command.
Ii is believed here by those who have toe best
means OF knowing what is going ON in executive
circles that active operations against Petersburg
and Richmond will not be resumed, but that
Grants army will soon be withdrawn from before
the former place. What will be done with il il
r matter OF wider conjecture. But il is another
ominous circumstance that il i admitted here
now by all who have any regard for truth that
Sherman's operation against Atlanta have also
resulted in a failure; that he has been repulsed,
and repulsed, too. under circumstances which
forbid all hope of his being able to assume the
offensive until hc is heavily reinforced; and il is
said that part Of Grant army viii DC forthwith
dispatched to the west
Many speculaii0ns are being INDUCED in here,
by people whose opportunities do not permit them
20 see beneath the surface OF things, in regard 20
what ten. Grrnt will do next Such people are
talking about Grants tenacity OF purpose, and
about his constructing other mines, and about
bis fighting il out that line II IL takes all sum
mer. But the better informed persons 10 whom
| have above alluded, know better than this, and
talk when they speak at all, in different strain
Ii is iCt and acknow lodged by them that Gen
Grant has exhausted his resources and his availa
bic means for The capture Of Richmoud that
nothing remains 10 be tired that has not been
tried; that il would he an Idle waste OF time and
labor 10 construct another mine, Us thrty-iyc
days have already been wasted upon this one, aud
~ the circumstances under which subsequent
mines mus, he constructed could not be 80 ia
vorable ~ those which attended The one that has
been exploded
It's felt too, that the morale OF the army must
have greatly suffered during this campaign.
SAY nothing OF the receut recruits or of the negro
soldiers But the veteran soldiers of the army
the heart aud BRAN, as we'll as the bone and sinew
of the army--are Intelligent. reading rejecting
men. They cannot be deceived OF hoodwinked
They see in this campaign only constant sue
cession Of failures and defeats. Not once in the
whole weary campaign, has victory perched upon
their banners. IL is impossible that such series
of defeats, eliminating IN the horrid butchery of
the 30th alt should not have terribly depress-
ins effect on the spirits of the soldiers. These,
! repeat, the convictions that arc enter
tanned in influential circles here and that may
influence the subsequent action Of the govern
mont toward the Army of the Potomac
4 scape goat for the calamity az Petersburg
will of course DC sought for. Already efforts
have been made to have both Grant and Meade
displaced. From what | can learn believe that
some sharp words at least some very plain words
passed between the President and Gen. Grant at
their recent Interview. But there Is no reason to
think thai the matter will affect Gen. Grant yet !;
although the failure OF this campaign tho re-
sponsibility for which was fastened on him from
the outset will be laid up gainst him Tor future
use. But il may Yet result in the dismissal Of
Meade IL is said that the arrangements lor the
assault we're all made by Meade and tha, The re-
suit might have been more Fortunate ii the ar
engagements had been different MALCOLM