Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-08

This affair concluded the President seem
ed disposed to prolong the interview. Our
conversation took a military direction, and
embraced the various movements being made
or known to be in contemplation. Nj. Lin
| coin seemed pleased 10 discuss the war. in
/ fact the Informal nature of our conversation
was q relief to his mind, oyerworked and
| iaded as he was by all the cares. official and
! political. to which he was daily subjected.
Presently he startled Us by declaring that he
saw no hope of success for any Of the CAM
paign- now being opened
Having gone thus far. and seeing our sur
prise and perpexity. he seemed animated 10y
desire to justify his statement. Going 20
the wall. and again taking down the large
map which he had pressed into service on the
previous occasion, he proceeded 10 inform Us,
which we did not positively know before,
that there were now three important move
ments being attempted 10y our forces towards
points against which our efforts had preyi-
0uslv proved unsuccessful. Oneofthe>e he said
was against Richmond, on the same general
plan substantially attempted by Burnside one
against Charleston. from the sea. by the COM
oiued land ANA naval forces and one against
| Nickshurg. by way Of the Nazoo rs>S and the
network Of lavous and small streams by
which the Mississippi i flanked, and through
some of which it was hoped to tranler Gene
raj Grant forces 10 a point from which 81
successful assault might be made on that great
stronghold, which had thus far defcd our
most determined attacks.
And cannot see how either Of these
plans can succeed, said he. and forthwith
throwing aside all reserve. and speaking with
ing with his confidential advisers. he freely
criticised the conduct Of the campaigns in
question. going into all the details of a mill
tary argument, and logically demonstrated in
advance that Grant would again be foiled in
his strategy against Nicksburg, that Hooker
would fail to reach Richmond. and that Du
Pont and Hunter would be compelled to re-
tire ballled from before Charleston. | donot
now remember the reasons he gave for sfis
Judgment in regard to the movements last
named, but | recollect well his clear descrip-
ton Of the narrow and winding water-ccur-
ses through which Grant was endeayoring to
conduct his gunb0ats, generally impossible
for large craft, either through too high or too
low water. and capable of fatal obstruction
in the forests which they penetrate, by an
enemy intimately acquainted with every lea-
ture oi the country ana VINO hau proven
himself only too well informed OF all our move
ments, anu equally active ana successful IN
opposing our progress INTO his own country.
1t was known that Mr.. Lincoln entertain
ell military opinions quite Independent of and
often at variance WIN 'noSe ol MS ADVISERS :
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