THE GREAT CAMPAIGN: Military Review of the Situation Before Petersburgh; THE STRATEGY OF A WEEK (6/23/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 6/23/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Our Special Correspondent.

THE SITUATION IN ITS GENERAL ASPECTS. Regarded in its most general relations, the present situation of the armies operating against Richmond, presents an aspect identical with that which has already thrice met us -- in front of Spottsylvania Court-house, before the lines of the South Anna, and on the Chickahominy.

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, NEAR PETERSBURGH, Tuesday, June 21, 1864.

I.

The strategic problem, executed with entire success, has given way to a tactical problem, which stubbornly bids defiance to our efforts to solve. In a stroke of masterly generalship this army was taken up from the Chickahominy, conveyed over an interval of over fifty miles, transported across two formidable rivers, and in two days was planted before Petersburgh -- the key to Richmond. But, Petersburgh, the richly merited prize of the most boldly conceived and the most brilliantly executed military conception of the war, by one of those vexatious accidents that checker the history of military operations, failed to be won. In vain a stroke of genius outwitted the astute General who commands the foremost army of the rebellion, threw him from his central position to one exterior to us, delayed him two days, and brought this army in front of Petersburgh four-and-twenty hours before a man of the enemy had crossed the James River.

The defences of Petersburgh fell a prize to the rapidity of this great movement. Its line of works, formidable in character and of old construction, was carried, or rather surprised and taken by our advanced column. A few militia and old men and boys of the town, hastily gathered up for the occasion, were all that met Gen. SMITH in a line of works south of Petersburgh, which, if properly garrisoned, could have bade defiance

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Great Campaign: Military Review of the Situation Before Petersburgh – 2-5
Latest News: Intelligence from Gen. Grant to Yesterday Afternoon – 5-7
Casualties: Additional List of Wounded at Third Division, Second Corps Hospital – 7-8
Rebel Barbarity: Putting Our Officers Under Fire at Charleston – 8
The order Relieving Gen. Gillmore – 8
Arrest of the Navy Agent: Isaac Henderson in Custody on Charge of Issuing False Vouchers – 8-9
News from Washington – 9-10
Proceedings of Congress – 10-11
Spain and Peru – 11
National Democratic Convention: Postponement Until August 29, 1864 – 11