The New York herald., 1865-01-01
Richmond-GeneralL Lee About % ssAston
ish the World"

Ric Lee About to ssAston-
ish the WOrld.''
We have the rumor from the neighborhood Of
Petersburg that General Lee Is engaged in
shipping of certain heavy war materials from
Richmond, as If he meditated an early evacua-
ton Of that delectable city. We presume that
II on any fine morning now General Grant
should discover that his bird had flown he
would not be much surprised, and would know
where to look for him. But we are admonished
by one Of the rebel sympathizing journals Of
this city that General Lee is preparing for .
grand offensive enterprise, and that in its de-
velopment he will "astonish the world"
What can it bei The present condition Of
the Virginia mud roads, and the scarcity of
supplies in the Shenandoah valley, repel at
once the idea Of another raid into Maryland.
Lee has hardly the necessary water transporta-
ton 70 rush down the James river and make ON
attack upon Fortress Monroe, and II he should
move directly southwark, for the purpose Of
securing Wilmington as the last loopbole Of
escape for JEFF. Davis, or in order to "gobble
up" the army Of Sherman, that tenacious man
VI W0Iy uCuCLui uIuAt, WlA uuuOuOscuiy plhy
the winning card in the game. Yet we think II
very probable that Lee is meditating upon the
dangers that are thickening around him, and
upon the expediency Of providing for a retreat
before every avenue Of supply or escape shall
be cut of. In this view of the subject, what
route Is he most likely to take in search of the
"happy valley Of Rasselass"
We guess that he will make for Danville, q
thrifty manufacturing town ON the Dan river
close 10 the North Carolina border, about one
hundred and thirty miles southwest from Rich
mond, and two hundred miles inland from the
nearest point on the main seacoast. The Dan
river, rapid, rocky and abounding In
falls, 10 not navigable for gunboats
while It's productive valleys, with those Of the
Staunton river, the other main branch Of the
Roanoke, would still furnish 70 Lees army
abundant supplies for several months, though
cut OF from all other resources. In the next
place, should remnant Of Hoods army escape
from Thomas, u can be brought over TO Lee q,
Danville much more readily than to Richmond
considering the damage done 10 the roads
bridges supply depots, &C., by stoneman and
3urbridge along the valley Of the railway which
leads up from Southwestern Virginia 70 Lynch
burg.
We Incline 10 the conclusion, therefore, tina
this projected movement Of General Lee whicl
lie to "astonish the world" Is the transfer Of hi
army, his ordnance, magazines, machinery an'
military stores, and the rebel capital, inoludin
JEFF. Davis, his Cabinet, Congress, archives an
shinplasters, from Richmond to Danville. w
think SO, because Danville is really now abou
the safest and most eligible place for Jeff. an
his cumbersome establishment Of oil the place
len him in his confederacS. Il possesse
besides ib other advantages, that impo
tant requisition TO General Lee, Of bein
inside Of Old Virginia, which Is u
only State In the confederacy that he cares [
fight In. But for the tenscity with which La
has adhered 10 Virginia, we doubt not that, ft
purely stratcgical considerations. Davis wOul