The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-31


The War and the Peace Question.
The universal impression that we are fast
approaching the closing scenes Of the war, has
been strengthened into general conviction by
our late important successes in North Carolina
and in front Of Petersburg. The general move
ments of the Union forces on both sides Of the
James, reported yesterday as having already
a few days we may expect to hear Of the cap
ture or evacuation of Richmond; and the rumor
that General Lee had asked for another peace
conference was well calculated to find believers,
considering the detention of President Lincoln
at the front.
This report, however, lacks confirmation; nor
do we think it probable from present appear
ances that General Lee will make any overtures
for peace conference short of an effort to
bring General Joe Johnston to his relief,
or, in some way, to form junction with
Johnston. Lee has still an army of at least
fifty thousand men, and Johnston forty thou
sand; and notwithstanding their daily losses
from assertions, we suspect that from the
gathering in Of struggling detachments and
squads from the Carolinas and Georgia, their
accessions are at least equal to their losses.
While there is yet chance for the concentra-
ton Of those ninety thousand men, and for
crushing blow at an exposed wing of Grant or
Sherman's army, either at Richmond or beyond
Richmond, General Lee may be expected to
trust to the fortunes of war. II is quite pos
sible that within few days, from visit OF Sheri-
dams cavalry to the Danville Railroad, he may
be compelled to evacuate Richmond; but even
in this extremity he may avoid collision with
Grant under cover of the night, for Lee is an
old soldier at this game. But we shall see.
Meantime, Shermans army Of barefooted and
ragged travellers, after their long march from
Savannah, have hauled up at Goldsboro for
shoes and clothing. They may thus be de-
tanned at Goldsboro for week or two.
Meanwhile, il some serious accident to the
Danville Railroad should require the i'm
mediate attention Of Lee, he must go with
his whole force and be well out Of harms
way during the night or he may fail to
join Johnston. This may be the anticipated
movement which has prolonged the visit Of the
President to City Point That Lee is pre-
pairing for the alternative Of an evacuation is
no longer doubtful; that he has already moved
of portion of his surplus siege artillery and
heavy materials of war, and is still actively
engaged in the work, is the testimony of nume-
rous witnesses from within his lines. He needs
the support Of Johnston; but as the resources
and facilities for subsistence at Richmond are
not equal to the addition of Johnston's army
to Lees consumers, we still adhere to our
opinion that the chances are in favor Of the
evacuation of the rebel capital and perhaps a
battle. Then will speedily follow the end Of
the war and the beginning Of peace.
JUSTICE TO GENERAL MEADE.-Through a
mistake in its transmission by telegraph the
admirable general order to the Army OF the
Potomac in honor Of it's recent victory was
attributed, in our publication yesterday, to
Lieutenant General Grant 1t emanated from
Major General Meade, the commander of the
Army of the Potomac, whose claims are never
forgotten by the General-in-C Chief, though some
times overlooked bv the attaches Of the press.