New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-06
SHERIDAN!

]
Early should be again defeated follows as mat
TOR of corrse. The reports which Gen. Grant
te,ocro,bs from deserters and refugees are sui
fciant,v numerous and circumstannal TO au'
tbonticate the general fact that either at Char
lottcsyille or at some point between Stanton
and Charlottesville Early has been surprised,
attacked, and captured, with large part of his
force. We presume the fact is as stated that
Charlottesville also has been taken. Gen.
Grant, while combining himself to a repetition OF
the evidence from deserters and refugees, mani
testify credits their story. Knowing what Phil.
Sheridan started to do, he naturally concludes
he has done it.
1t is equally plain that Sheridan'S task does
not end at Charlottesville. The capture OF
that place destroys the northern line of rail-
way communication between Richmond and
Lynchburg, and is important enough for that
reason, and not less so because it indicates
the straits to which Lee is put when he finds
himself able to spare 10 more than 1,SOO or
1000 men for the defense Of point which
from the beginning OF the war has been re-
peatedly attempted by Us and obstinately held
with large forces by the Rebels. 1t falls now
because Lee can no longer maintain what he
has heretofore regarded as line vital to his
possession of Rchmond-the southern military
line to Lynchburg having been for many
months in greater peril of interruption than
the northern.
But the fail of Charlottesvile--or the defeat
of the army in the field which was charged
with its protection; it matters little which,
means more than this 1t means that Lynch
burc itself is uncovered-Lynchburg, the great
storehouse of Rebel supplies, the only point save
one toward which Lee could or would retreat if
he evacuated Richmond, the central stronghold
of Virginia, the probable base of protracted
resistance during the Summer-his immeasur-
ably important town is imminently threatened
by the advance Of Sheridan, and is in such
danger that Lee hurres off from Richmond
four brigades of infantry for its defense. We
should like to believe he has sent only ionr
brigades for without suggesting On estimate
of the force under Sheridan, We can safely
declare that it will easily dispose Of any four
brigades Lees army contains. In these days
of depleted regiments i. is difficult TO suppose
four brigades can number over five thousand
men. They have the advantage Of moving by
rail-on the Southern line via Burkesville-and
have only 1870 miles to travel with the help OF
steam, while Sheridan has GO and nothing but
horseAesh to carry him. But it is extremely
improbable that the present garrison OF Lynch
\ burg with the reinforcement Of four brigades,
can hold both the town and The railways South
! ana Last Vi Ili uOl w NE SSI INV AN'44 -
to be prevented from doing immense damage al
points which the Rebellion can at this moment
i'll afford to see in possession ofan enemy.
But no matter for speculation. Loyal hearts
will hear with e1ulta,ion that dashing Phil
Sheridan is once more at work, and will trust
buoyantly to him and his gallant troopers. One
other is added to the complications of the cam
paign, and to the perplexities which environ
the Rebel cause, and while Sherman advances
on the South-his advance already reported at
Faretteyille-and Grant closes upon Richmond
and Sheridan hurls his cavalry Oh the railroads
to tho west, we may look at any moment for
such decisive intelligence as shall supersede
speculation, and bring Us victories more bril-
! liant than our most sanguine hopes.