Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-07-01

This cxpositionj while showing that
We hold no such relations to Peters
burg and its communications as to
claim its being under a siege, yet
lit brings out clearly the command
ing military Importance of this point
with reference to operations against
Richmond by this line. Petersburg
is, in fact, the key to Richmond and
the elaborate construction Of its de-
fences, furnishes a standard Of the
high value set upon it by the rebel
military engineers. Viewed from a
military point Of view, it forms a
powerfully fortified tete de point,
covering the passage of the river
and the main line of cOmmunica-
tons from Richmond southwark.
Its relations with that capital are,
in fact, almost identical with those
held by Baltimore toward Washing
ton; and were the rebels in posses
sion Of the former point they would
not menace our capital more than
we would Richmond, were we once
in possession of Petersburg. In
fact, not as much-for even were
Baltimore in the hands of the rebels,
Washington would still have its wa
ter communications, while Richmond
is isolated from it. The rebel de-
fensiye line was drawn around the
city at distance Of about two miles
from it, and formed set of detach-
ed redoubts after what is known as
the German system
OF these works there were seven
teen, mounting from 6 to Is guns
each. They were beautifully de-
signed and powerful in construction,
equal to the Notifications around
Washington, and connected by an
infantry parapet, the strongest |
have yet seen in my experience
over all parts Of the theatre Of war.
That they were left as inadequate
ly defended as they were, therefore,
can only be accounted for on the
hypothesis-which, n d e e d, is no
longer a hypothesis, but an ascer-
tanned tact-that Gen. Grants ma
n9uyrcs deceived Lee, whose army
was still a days march off when this
line OF defenses fell into our hands.
The rapidity with which Beaure-
gard was hurried forward to the
ielences Of Petersburg, and the te-
lacity with which it has since been
leld, are the best evidence Of the
lind Of resistance we SHOULD have !
net with had not Gen. Grant been |
beforehand with Lee.
| have adyerted to the nature off
}eauregard's defense of Petersburg. |
This has been a matter of remark |
With the abIest heads in this army. |
/ rivals his defense of Charleston. |
md stamps him as one OF the most |
killful soldiers in the rebel army. |
Md certainly this estimate is not
but, on the contrary,
lightened by fact which has as
onished every one here. 1t is this
he army Of the Potomac has not !
ret m@ in front Of Petersburg a sin
gle man belonging to Lees army |
man of the 3 CORPS
If Longstreet, Ewell or Hill. The |
orce defending Petersburg consists
exclusively of the army of Beaure-
card, with such accessions outside
If the army Of Northern Virginia as
lie may have received.
To the natural query as to where
Lees army is, can speak with no
ull assurance. There may be
:orps in front of Butler, and it is
we'll known fact that days ago, Ew-
HIS corps was sent after Hunter
rhe other corps is probably prepar-
NC another defensive line, in case
Petersburg should fall.
And this is the most unfavorable
consequence of the unhappy failure
o take Petersburg; it gives the reb-
is time to form their plans, make
heir disposition, and enter on ex-
editions of the nature of diver
lions, while the integrity of their
abroad accommodations allows them
he opportunity Of receiving rein
| have endeavored in this view of
he situation to set it down freely
md fairly as it stands. If it is not
precisely as encouraging as might
ave been hoped, l shall have mis-
conveyed my own impressions, if it
5 taken to be discouraging. 1t can
re discOuraging only to those whose
.bsurd Illusions, respecting the work
'efore this army should long ago
ave been dissipated by the expert
noes of the past fifty days cam {
'aign. There is no let-up with this {
rmy; it is determined to go thro' l
Nth the business in hand, and it {
Till go through with it if it be but t
sustained. Petersburg t
resents precisely such a problem '
5 we have already had half doz- l
n times before in the course of this