New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-06
GRANT.

The dispatch IRON Ten. Grant wnlch we
published yesterday morning was received too
late for comment. If its statements shall be
confirmed, they are more instantly ominous OF
the total collapse Of the Rebellion than was
the fall Of Richmond.
Gen. Grant says: can of the enemy that
retains anything like organization have gone
north of the Appomattox, and are apparently
heading for LynehJurg." If tomorrow shall
translate apparently into certainly " there
is nothing left of the military power of the Re.
bellion. Literally, nothing left. Lynchburg
is no refuge for Lee; it may well enough be a
prison or graveyard. If Lee has really been
forced to retreat to Lynchburg we look for the
immediate, inevitable, dissolution of his army.
We said last week Lee would probably stay
in Richmond just long enough to imperl his
own safety. He has done it. We said also
that Grant discovering his intention to evacuate
his capital, accelerated his own movement, and
fell upon Lee while his preparations were in
progress. The event proves both opinions cor
rect, and il proves a good deal more.
1t is impossible to suppose that Lee contem-
plated retreat upon Lynchburg instead OF upon
Danyille. Could he have gone to the latter, he
secured an easy junction with Johnston, and
the possession of country Astounding in sup
plies, which would reach their combined forces
along railway lines that for the present at least
Lee might suppose to be safe. But by going to
Lynchburg he is utterly cut of from all hope
of junction wish Johnston, and he finds
himself cribbed in narrow valley which for
him has no means Of supply, no railway, and
no avenue Of escape. Lyrchburg has indeed
three railways, one to Knoxville, one to Char
lottesville, one to Petersburg. But the railway
to Knoxville is being eaten up by the advanc-
ing forces Of Thomas already far into Western
Virginia; the railway to Charlottesville was
destroyed in March by Sheridan; the railway
to Petersburg is line in possession of Gen.
Grant.
Itmust be borne in mind that Lee was pre-
pairing to evaouste Richmond and effect a
junction with Johnston, when Grant launched
his last weeks thunderbolt. Beyond all ques-
ton Lee expected TO retreat along the Dapyine
Road To all appearance he might count on
doing it, even when suddenly attacked.
Burkesville junction, where the Petersburg
and Lynchburg Road and the Richmond and
Danyille Road intersect, is So miles from
Richmond, and SO from Petersburg. With
~ hours start Of his pursuer, Lee sup
posed he was sure Of reaching his goal. But
the extraordinary combinations Of Gen. Grant
reached all the way from Petersburg
to Burkesville, and the victory which
compelled the evacuation of the former
secured possession Of the latter before Lee could
even attempt TO approach it, Everything south
of the Appomattox was enveloped in the flank
movement of Sheridan, and when Lee sullenly
marched out Of Petersburg he had TO march
north of the river with the bitter knowledge that
his enemy had shorter line to BurkeSville
than he himself had. 1t does not appear that
single regiment Of Lees army crossed the
Appomattox to the south, while the two diyi-
sions of the right wing under Longstreet which
Sheridan cut off at Five Forks from Lees main
army, so far from being able to secure posses
sion Of Burkesville had to cross the river to
the north, and unite with the retreating
columns from Petersburg, in order to escape
destruction or capture. And Gen. Grant on
Tuesday, the day after WeitzePs black soldiers
tramped into Richmond, reports himself at Will
sons Station on the Southside Railroad, twenty
seven miles west Of Petersburg. Between him
and the Appomattox was Sheridan, riding
at speed for the Danvlle Road, while
the infantry under Ord and Meade
pressed along the railway line straight for
Burkesyille. Grant evidently has no doubt
that he is to reach it before Lee-evidently
feels that Lee is in no position to make even an
effort to get possession of the sole point which
might afford him one chance Of continuing the
great struggle. As'.
| Contrast, moreover, the condition Of the two
armies. Lee cannot have lost so few as ~, 600,
killed, wounded and prisoners OF the latter
alone more than 12, 900 are under Provost-Mar.
shal's guard at City Point, while Weitzel re.
ports 5000 taken in Richmond and Grant finds
that the houses through the country are nearly
all used as hospitals for wounded men. "
On our side we have Gen. Grants statement
that 1000 will cover all losses. Lee, then, who
was outnumbered almost two to one before the
battle, has lost three to one in the weeks con-
test, and with an army scarcely more than q
third Of the strength Of his enemy, is conduct.
ing a retreat to Q point which affords no hope
Of safety i ti
Tho fuo sfafoxann4a 4La4 thu Rnhals hnd