The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-03-28

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YANKEE PLAV OF TIE xPR1N0
C1KPAIGN.
s srh. New York Necs has IN article
r,on ths coming indeed, already COM
msnosd-campa;sn. II is interesting n
sfoesshadowing the expectations which
the North expects to be realized within
The uext few nenths. The Nsscs takes il
for xrantsd that Johnston is rstrsaaing be.
Sore sherman because Of insufficient num-
b~s to meet him in tho Geld. ftsays:
Afler the evacuation Of Goldsboro',
.Johnston retrsated upon Raleigh, forty.
eisht miles distant, and thence, we as
sumo. upon Hillsboro', forty miles more.
Greensboro, the junction OF the new
rad leading south from Danville;. is
forty.two miles from Hillsboro' and fifty
four miles from Dapville. II Johnston
is retreating upon this line, it is for the
purpose Of reaching Da1ville, where be
NAV possibly be expecting to receive
aid from Lee 1t Richmond, one hundred
and forty miles distant
From Raleigh, the CASTOR railroad
runs portheast distance Of eighty.five
miles. At Ridgeway, ffty-four miles
from Raleigh, it intersects the Roanoke
Valley road, which sweeps in curve
from Hicksford junction, on the Peters,
burg and Weldon road, westward to
Gainesville, distance of twenty. two
miles. This point is on the south bank
of the Roanoke, near the junction of the
Dam and Staunton rivers, and but = short
distance from Boston, on the Richmond
and Danville road, thirty-one miles
<bove Danville. In order to cut John
ston of, OF reach the vicinity of the
Danville road rs soon IS he does, Gene
ral Sherman has to move from Raleigh
to Gainesville, when he will be twenty
two miles from Hicksford junction, the
nearest point Of railroad communication
With General Grants left wing. The
distance from Stony Greek station, 90
the Petersburg and Weldon road, which
is within General Grants lines, to Hicks
ford junction, is only twenty.one miles,
SO that Sherman's right and Grants left
would only be forty three miles, by rail,
apart.
There are numerous indications that
the grand battlefield will be, or has
2 been, found on the line of the Roanoke
river, near the junction OF. the Dan and
StauntoD, or further west, on the line of
the Dan, between Gainesville and Bos-
ton, on the Danville road. By taking
the line Of the Dan on which to give bat.
tie, Lee would have Sherman on the
south bank, while CRAFTS army would
have long distance to march overland
in order to come up in Lees rear, or a
long detour, should he seek to Join Sher-
mans right, and even then would find
himself on the south bank Of the river;
for there are no railroads on the north
bank Of either the Roanoke or Dan. So
far as communications are concerned.
Sherman would have the best position.
for he has the lines over which he has
just Travelled, and which could be kept
open. Johnston or Lee, on the con-
trary, Would find it difficult to
keep their lines open unless the
whole route to Richmond was guarded.
which would not be very probable
Taking the situation Of the country
in this vicinity, and the object to be &C.
complished BY Lee-the possible defeat
Of Sherman before he can be succored
BY Grant-into consideration, it is rea.
sonahle to suppose that either the line of |
the. Roapoke, near Gainesville, or thel
line sk tho Dan, 70 khe westward Of It. /
will be the scene Of battle. If General
4hseman pushes forward on the route
Shove indicated, with view to flank or
1ntereept Johnston ere he can reach
Danyille Or above, he may precipitate an
enlargement should Johnston reach the
linz of the Dan before him. In this case.
Ne have no fears for the result, for Sher-
1naa's army is too strong to fail before
such = force Is Johnston has under his |
immediate command. Any delay on the
part q Sherman now will result to the
advantasp d Johnston. and enable him
% take up : strong position, from which, |
Mhen reiafHced By Lee, it will be difi-
cult q dislodge him. s.
N1s, doubtless, the intention Of Lee |
70 secure possession Of the Richmond |
and Danyi1ls road as long Is possible.
hoth ffon DanvilIe to huntsville and
nom Richmond to this point Indeed,
g 10 0eald 1eyo HID army BY withdrav.
lng1k Int the interior Of Virginia vest
q Dm1Essilssy ~ wust-ils ) th.;s' -. ~.
ssFys iotact the Rad from Riohmond Is
! .EksvillA and thence 70 Lynehbux.-i
1eoee ~ fetrsa4iQx slowly, and