The National tribune., 1904-08-04

to seyering all the remaining communica-
tions of the Confederates-a necessary
step in that plan of encircling and enclos
ing Lee which the Lieutenant General had
devised as the preliminary to his premedi-
tated blow.
Moving from Winchester the 9th of
February, Sheridan galloped up the Val
ley of Virginia. With his superb column
of 10000 sabers. he little rocked of any
enemy lie was likely to encounter. Early.
that had been SO fatal to him; but what of
force remained with him was but the
shreds and patches of an army, number
ing. perhaps. 2.5OO men. Foiling by his
rapid advance an attempt to destroy the
bridge over the Middle Fork of the Shen-
andoah at Mount Cra wford Sheridan en-
tered Staunton the I'd of March and then
moved to Waynesboro. where Early had
taken position to dispute the debouche of
the Blue Ridge. Charging upon this
scratch Of an army without taking the
trouble of making a reconnaissance even,
Sheridan broke it in pieces. capturing two
thirds of it, with most of it's artillery
passes OF the Blue Ridge, he struck Char
lottesville, where he remained two days.
destroying the railroad towards Richmond
and Lynchburg. including the two large
bridges over the north and south forks
of the Rivanna River. He had now moved
to await the arrival of his trains.
FLOODS FORCED SHERIDAN TO ADOPT NEW
PLANS.
Sheridan's instructions prescribed that
he should gain Lynchburg on the south
bank of the James. From that point he
was to effectually break up those main
branches of Lees communications, the
Lynchburg Railroad and James River
Canal, after which lie was to strike south
ward through Virginia to the Westward
Of Danyille and join Sherman. But while
awaiting a Charlottesville the arrival of
his trains. the James River became so
swollen by heavy rains as to be impas
sable. NOwise Disconnected by this unto
ward fortune. but with an admirable fer
tility Of resource, he determined to aban-
don the purpose of capturing Lynchburg.
and IN the mean time to operate against
the canal. and then. if possible. effect
crossing of the James between Lynchburg
and Richmond. The former design was
very completely carried out. but he was
unable to pass the James. as the Confed-
crates destroyed all the bridges.
Thus cabined and confined. there was
for Sheridan but one alternative, either to
go back whence he had come or strike
base at White House and thence effect
With characteristic daring he adopted the
latter course, and this resolve, though it
banked Grants original intent, led to a
result every way better.
After completing the destruction OF the
| canal, he concentrated his whole force
at Columbia, and thence rounding the left
of Lees army, and putting the Pamunkey
between him and the Confederate force,
Sheridan proceeded towards the York
breaking up en- route all the railroad
tracks and bridges. The 10Th of March
lie reached White House. whittier an in
fantry force and supplies had been for
| warded to him. After resting and refitting
| here. Sheridan, on the oath. moved across
| the Peninsula to James River. and pass
| ing to the south bank at Jones's Landing,
he. two day. afterwards, joined the army
before Petersburg.
The circle of the hunt was now COM
plete. The leashed dogs Of war lay ready
for the spring. whenever the meditative
| soldier who sat silent in his wooden hut
at City Point should sound the .'laissez
| aller."
EASY TO SEE THE FINISH.
That the campaign about to be opened
could have but one resuit-tO wit the de-
| struction of the Confederate armies-was
not now doubtful; and discerning men at
| the South plainly read the omens Of DOOM
1t was not alone that an overwhelming
weight of physical power, represented by
q million men in arms, threatened to over
whelm the insurgent armies, or that the