The National tribune., 1904-06-23

and Hunter Driven Out of the Shenandoah.
Butler Bottled UP at Bermuda Hundred.
Gen. Grant Moves by the Left Flank-Foiled
at the North Anna-Flanks Again Across
the Pamunkey-Change OF Base of Supplies.
Tolopotomy Creek.
Thus far in the campaign, the course of
this narrative has followed the main action
as waged between the two mighty adver-
: saries in tidewater Virginia. 1t is now
necessary TO interrupt for Il time this re-
cital, and trace the development of the
movements cooperative under Butler and
Sigel, on the banks of the James River and
in the Valley of the Shenandoah. This /
shall only do so far as may be necessary
to set forth their relations with the general
system of operations.
The force under Gen. Butler was as
sembled at Yorktown and at Gloucester
Point, on the opposite side of the York
River, during the month of April. 1t was
under Gen. W. F. Smith, and the Tenth
Corps t293 which Gen. q. A. Gilmore had
lately brought from the coast of South
Carolina. Gen. Butler had in addition
division of horse. under Gen. Kautz; this
division was at this time at Norfolk and
Portsmouth. The strength of the army
was somewhat above 10000 of all arms.
BUTLERs CAMPAIGN.
At Yorktown, Butler was in position to
move by land up the Peninsula in the direc-
tion of Richmond; to use the line of the
York River for an advance similar to that
of Mcclellan, in 1862. or to take up
the line of the James and threaten the Con-
federate Capital from the south side. The
last was the move actually intended, but
the real destination of this column was
kept secret: and feints of striking in both
the other directions were made. The 1st
nf M9V RntIpr 1iSnatchp1 dot acbmapt nf
his force tHenry's Brigade of Turner's
DiyisiOnb by water to West Point, at the
head of the York. and at the same time he
sent force of 1.SOO cavalry to move by
way of West Point, across the Peninsula.
attract the attention of the enemy toward
Richmond. and then make a junction with
his main body when it should have reached
its destination. kautz, with his mounted
division, was instructed to move northward
from Suffolk 10 the south side.
During the night of May 4, the same day
the Army of the Potomac crossed the Rap
ldan. the entire command of Butler EN-
parked on transports, dropped down the
York passed Fortress Monroe, and enter
ing the James, ascended that river con-
voyed by fleet of gunboats. The follow
Ing afternoon landing was effected on
the south side of the James-one detach-
ment at City Point, another at Fort Pow
hatan, few miles below; but the main
body a mile or two above CITY Point. at
Bermuda Hundred. a neck of land formed
by the sinuous course of the James and
AppomattOx. The point of deba rkation was
between Petersburg and Richmond-10
miles north of the former and no miles
south TO the latter place. The landing was
complete surprise, and was made without
molestatlon. Indeed. the Confederate force
about Petersburg and Richmond was at this
time very trivial.
GRANTS INSTRUCTIONS NOT PLAIN
Gen. Buffers instructions from Cen
Grant prescribed Richmond as his objective
point; but his operations were to be con-
tingent upon the results achieved by the
Army OF the Potomac. The program
drawn up by the Lieutenant General for
Buffers governance is indeed vague and in
sCme respects contradictory. and it is diff
hcult to tell precisely what was expected of
that oflcer. lie was commanded first of
ell to intrench at City Point, which would
indicate rather defensive than an often
slve purpose. Further instructions ordered
him TO move against Richmond by the south
bank of the James capturing it if possible,
and If not investing it on the south side so
as to have his left resting on the James
above Richmond. 1t is, however, clearly
set forth In papers not embodied by Gen.
Grant in his Official report, that Buffers
action was TO hinge on Gen. Grants own
success that he expected, after decisive ac-
non. either to defeat Lee or drive him into
the lnfrenchments at Richmond; that he
would then approach the Confederate Cap
ital from the direction of the north and
west, and, swinging across the James, make
junction with Butler. whose signal for
action was to be Grants guns laundering
on the north side. But. as Grants guns
were never heard laundering on the north
side. II Is a matter of less surprise that
Butler also was foiled in his part More
over, i shall attempt to show that there
was, IN any event, very little likelihood that
the James River column would meet what
seem to have been Gen. Grants expecta-
tions.
NOT EFFECTED BUTLER WOULD CAPTURE
RICHMOND.
An advance against Richmond by the
south bank of the James placed that great
river between the city and the assailants.
ana the defense of the points of passage
could readily be maintained by the local
garrison until strengthened to withstand
attack. Ii Is. however, unnecessary TO dis
cuss this problem in detail as it is hardly
possible that Gen. Grant ever really ex-
pected Gen. Butler to capture Richmond
Equally remote was the possibility of in
Vesting II from the south bank of the James
where the ground is a low. open plain But
there Is another circumstance that greatly
ccmplicates any operation on thar line
whether directed against Richmond imme-
dlately, or with view TO invest il from
the south side. or with the object of hold
ing debouche for the Army of the Poto-
mac above that city. This is the dangerous
exposure OF its rear and communica tions
which the operating column must make. 1t
Is hardly TO be supposed that. in framing
plan of operations for the James River
column. there could be failure to note the
certainty OF the approach of adverse masses
from the south: for the withdrawal of
Gillmore's force from South Carolina left
Beauresard free to hurry forward with a
considerable army to Richmond. the dam
ger 70 which was apparent the moment
Butler landed on the south side Of the
James. 1t is marvellous how it could have
been expected that in this event Buffers
army could have maintained a position
above Richmond when not only its rear
must have been so greatly exposed. but its
line OF communications, with its depot at
% The Tenth Corns mac comno,oa e