The National tribune., 1904-07-07
The Army Makes q Skillful Sweep Across the
James, and Begins the Long Continued In
vestment Of Fetersburg-Extension of the
Left Flank to Cut the Rebel Lines of Supply.

vestment Of Petersburg Extension of the
Left Flank to Cut the Rebel Lines Of Supply.
The determination of Gen. Grant to
transfer the army, by a flank march, to
the south side of the James River, involved
considerations of a wholly different order
from those concerned in the repeated turn
ing movements which he had made to dis
lodge Lee from the intrencfed positions
held by him. These were simply manuvers
of grand tactics, delicate indeed in their
nature, but they did not carry the army
away from it's line of operations, nor from
the defensive lines as regards Washing
ton, which it all the time covered. The
resolution to cross the James necessitated
the total abandonment of that system of
action which aimed, while operating
against the enemy Extensively, to directly
defend the National Capital.
Now, although in the defense of places,
it is frequently more efhcacious to assume
a line of operation that seems to abandon
the point to be guarded and deliver it up
to the enemy, than to place ones self
directly in front of it, it must be borne in
mind that Gen. Grant was acting under an
Administration that was not only incapa
BILE of approaching such considerations
which indeed belong to the higher part of
war, but an Administration that was, from
political motives strongly opposed TO a re-
mOval of the army from the overland line
of advance against Richmond. Moreover,
the operation was in itself one of great
delicacy, change of base being pro-
nounced by the foremost master of war
1.-THE ablest manuver taught by military
art."D
Gen. Grant manifested as much moral
frmness in adopting line of action which,
adverse though it was to the wishes of his
Government, he felt to be prescribed by
the highest military considerations, as he
showed ability in executing this difficult
operation. The measure itself was not
only entirely conformable to the true prin-
ciples of war, but its execution reflects
high credit on the commander, and merits
the closest study.
GRANT WENT TO THE JAMES.
Immediately after the battle of Cold
Harbor, the Ninth Corps, then holding the
extreme right of the line, had been with
drawn from its position and posted between
the Fifth Corps. which then became the
right of the line, and the Eighteenth. On
the 9th, the Fifth Corps was retired and
massed in rear of the center. The Ninth
Corps then became again the right of the
line. On the 9Th, the Second Corps, then
forming the left of the line. being stretched
to the Chickahominy, the Fifth was trans
ferred to that flank to extend it as far as
Dispatch Station on the York River Rail-
airy under Sheridan were sent TO destroy
more effectually the Central Railroad.
BY the gradual refusal of the right flank
and development Of the left, the army
was placed within an easy march of the
lower crossings of the Chickahominy-War-
ren's Corps being but 10 miles from Long
Bridge. On the night Of the 18th of June
the movement to the James was begun.
Warren, preceded by Wilson's Cavalry
DIVISION. took the lead. seiZed the crossing
of the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and
made dispositions to mask the movement
of the army. Hancock's Corps then fol-
lowed the Fifth, and marched TO Wilcox's
Landing on the left bank of the James.
The corps of Wright and Burnside, by an
exterior route, crossed at Jones's Bridge
and marched TO Charles City, on the James.
Smiths command marched to White House.
where It took transports and returned to
Bermuda Hundred by water. The trains
made the passage of the Chickahominy by
q bridge at Coles's Ferry.
The march of % miles across the Pen
insula was made in two days, and with
perfect success. 1t was covered from the
enemys observation by skillful feint
made by Warren, who threatened direct
advance on Richmond by the route of
White Oak Swamp After crossing the
Chickahominy at Long Bridge, Warren
threw Crawford's Division forward on the
New Market road, while Wilson's Cavalry
DIVISION, taking the advance, drove the
enemy's mounted force across White Oak
Swamp. Warren lay in this vicinity dur
ing the day, covering all the routes by
which the enemy might come down from
Richmond to observe or disturb the move
ment; and under cover of his array the
whole army marched toward the James.
LEE WAS MIsLED.
Lee, of course, discovered the withdrawal
on the morning of the 18th. lie, however
made no attempt to follow up, but retired
toward Richmond. During the afternoon,
body of infantry came down the New
Market road; but finding Warren's force
in line of battle. it made no attack, con-
tenting itself with intrenching in plain
sight 1t is probable that this menace by
Warren deceived Lee as to Grants actual
purpose, and caused him TO anticipate a
direct advance on Richmond by the river
routes. But, meantime, the army ad
reached the James below Uarrison's Land
ing, and was prepared to pass TO the south
side. Here a considerable delay was
caused by the nonarriyal of the pontoon
bridges :t2D but means of transport being
at hand. Hancock's Corps was ferried
across at Wilcox's Landing. and landed
on the south bank at Windmill Point.
During the night of the 14th. the pontoon
bridge was laid across the James at Dout-
hards, a short distance below Hancock s
point of passage. 90 BY noon of the 18th
the whole army was on the south side of
the James.
While the Army of the Potomac was