The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-23
Grants Latest Movement-Ths Rebels
Fall Back Before Hasa.

| Grants Latest Movement-Ths Rebels
| Fall Back Before Him.
Notwithstanding the fact that no news oil
great and sangulnary battles In Virginia has
reached US for the past Two days, the Army Of
the Potomac is not idle. It's sasacious COM
mandsr is aware that grand results can be
I achieved a. we'll by skilful and well
| timed man9uvres as by general en-
gagements, the memory Of which may
be historic, but the cost OF which must
be tue sacrifice of . holocaust Of brave
men. Thus he undertook movement on
Friday evesing, with view to force General
Lee to abandon his position at Spottsylvania
Court House, which was progressing we'll at
last accounts. The enemy declined to give
battle, but fell back beyond the North Anna
river. 1t would appear that General Han
cock made the advance at halfpast
eleven on Friday night; but the corps
Of General Lougstreet commenced to move
southwark at one o'clock Saturday morn
ing. On the same evening General Ewell
followed Longstreet. The probabilities were
that the whole rebel army is falling back. 1t
would be manifestly injudicious at the present
moment to publish the details Of this ma
noeuvre. We have the assurance Of Secretary
Stanton, however, that il is progressing favor
ably
-.-.-----~-~----.
Our Apparent Inactivity-TneC ertnfnty
OF Grants Success.
We have had no report of hard fighting in
Virginia for two days, and this is regarded as a
dearth of news. Our army there fought des-
perateiy for eight days, with very decided
advantage; rested two or three days, and then
fought one day more; and now that there is
apparently another pause in the slaughter
people wonder why Grant don't ego on But
it appears that he is going on, quietly and
successiully--moviug towards the grand issue.
1t is hard to say what continual slaughter or
how much blood this MoIoch Of public opinion
would require 10 satisfy it that our armies aud
our generals are doing their duty nobly. We
have hitherto spoken Of the great activity Of
Southern agents in orr midst. and Of how much
they are constantly doing everywhere in the
formation Of public opinion; and it is doubt
less owing to their activity that there is an
idea abroad that the silence of the war bull
fetins is ominous for our cause and that we
must have suffered reverse ii we cannot an
nounce battle and victory every day.
No opioon could be more perniciousIy non
sensical. Gen Grant is man Of purpose
as inaeybie IS the law Of gravitation-and
with such nian in command or cur armies,
the destruction OF Lee is absolutely certain
Lees army will be destroyed, it matters not
whether by hattie or otherwise. 1t IS lament
able ignorance to suppose that a great military
result is only to be gained by battle. Marches,
nianouyres, the timely seizure of critical
point, are oitcu more decisive than the bloodi-
est battle could be: aud the great general
gains his purposes IN that way, aud saves his
men. Though achievements OF this character
are less brilliant and snowy, they are none the
Ices positive than those that ill the North
With mourning over he fail OF thousands Of
oi"fS Heh. -NHu, 'DoUsH Se people 40 not
hear OF great battle every day, they may rest
assured. that Grui!, is none the less busy, and
also that he is doing uHitc IS much toward the
great result when be il not offered !, chance 10
fight Is he has hitherto done while lighting
Cen. Grant Is gathering all the armies well
IN land and is well supported by the govern
neat in ell hat he can require. The energy
aid determination shown in The recent removal
Of prominent generals should sufficiently in
SIRE the people Of this: and there Is all reason
to suppose that, as our departments are BOW
organized. We shall have no more blUuders.
Bui our though we ought not TO
have had anv---aavc been compar stvely in
SIGNIFICANT ard have no, affected tie snccess Of
cur great operations or changed any plans.
Sherman : army ami the Army o. the Potomac
are the ones upon which we must count Tor
orr great results; ana while they continue TO
80 on, and 20 be supported % they have so far
IN Ills csmpa ~. our eansc caa suffer no harn
fron! :hc achievements OF Kirby Smith or
breckiardge. and any small victory Of those
WORTHLESS may,
Ike dcadrgn rem The lion's NAME
Re ssc X 10 a!r.
REFosw Il glis MEDICAL. DIpAGTNsNr on qqiE
AavY.-We see that The Medical Director OF the
Army is apain advertising for surgeons and