Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1892-03-26

UOSLIIe0.
November 9th Colonel Draper,
with the 9th United States colored
troops, raided the counties lying on
the sounds in Virginia ami North
Carolina, capturing and dispensing
organized Ruerilias. December 4
Brigadier General Wilde, at the head
OF two regiments of colored troops,
overran all the counties as far as
Chowan river, releasing some 1000
slaves and inflicting much damage
upon the enemy.
December 10 Colonel Robert West
m we'd rapidly from Williamsburg to
Charles City Courthouse and cap
,ured two regiments Of cavalry in the
very outposts Of Richmond.
January rs, 1864, the roads being
impossible. Brigadier General Ora
ham went up the James River to
Lower Brandon, and destroyed a
large quantity Of provisions and forage
stored there, and captured some
smuggling vessels.
Major General Pickett made an
attack upon Buffers lines at New
Berne aud Beaufort, N. c., on the
Is. Of February, but was cleverly
repulsed with loss.
O., the 4th Of March Butler received
notice that General Fitzpatrick had
started from the Potomac on a raid t }
Richmond, aud was requested to aid
him. Accordingly he marched q
column to New Kent Courthouse,
and covered Kilpatrick's return.
The 9th Of March the Confederates
made demonstration upon Buffers
lines at Suffolk. The enemy was
handsomely repulsed.
A critical examination of the to.
biography OF the country revealed a
point that was Of the greatest strategic
Importance. Near the junction Of the
James River with the Appomatox, at
point on the James about eight
miles from Richmond and on the Ap.
pomatox about the same distance
from Petersburg, a line drawn acros.
from river to river included q pc min
sula of 80 square miles. The place
was a natural fortress, requiring les'
than half mile to be intrenched ant
fortified in order TO enable f. w thou
sand men to hold it against the whole
rebel army. With battery which
would prote ct naval depot at Git!
Point, bluff at the junction of th'
two rivers, water transportation coult
be covered and an intrenched CAM
made of Bermuda Hundred Troop
could be brought there from Wash
irg,on aud the North by water il
three days to the amount Of 100000
m,n, without the loss Of man b,
struggling, deser,ion, or sickness. Tn
location was healthy one. Supple
could always come by water, aid tn
enormous cost Of supplying the arm!
the GO odd miles of march by LAM
from Washington to Richmond woul'
be saved. Butler therefore though
this should be the basis of operation
for the Army of the Potomac agains
Richmond.
The LIST of April General Gran
went to Fortress Monroe to consul
with him as to the campaign agains
the rebel capital. Butler showed hin
his maps of his department and Of tn
lay of the land around Richmond.
Grant was very much struck witt
the views impaired, and after full
consideration sail he thought such
plan should be adopted. "But," sai'
he, bringing my troops to the Jane
River by water will uncover Wash
ington, and Lee may attack there"
To that Butler answered: Gle
cannot march troops enough to a,tacl
Washington in eight days after h
gets in motion. Keeping our trans
portasion here ready, we can sen,
sufficient men to Washington in thre
days to meet him, without losing
man, because it is all inland naviga
tion."
Grant said that he was quite sur
that the government at Washington
would not permit him thus to uncove
il. He added that he thought tn