THE GRAND MOVEMENT: THE ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA; The Rebel Army Falling Back on Richmond (5/7/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 5/7/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Friday, May 6.

There is little doubt but that LEE is falling back from the Rapidan upon Richmond, having been driven to this by the flank movement of Gen. GRANT. The race will now be for Richmond. In the skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, yesterday, an officer, was killed, on whom was found an order from LEE, directing all the guerrilla cavalry bands of Northern Virginia to return and form a junction with his army. The order was dated May 4, and is considered good evidence that GRANT's movement was a surprise to LEE, and that he is making all possible haste to get out of GRANT's reach by getting behind the fortifications of Richmond.

There is no longer any communication with the front, and it is reported to-night that MOSEBY's guerrillas have possession of the railroad between Rappahannock and Culpepper, though this is not reliable.

BURNSIDE's reserves, which follow the main army, are now across the Rappahannock.

There is no truth, whatever, in reports of the repulse of BURNSIDE at Thoroughfare Gap.

Reliable intelligence from the Valley of the Shenandoah, represents it entirely clear of rebel troops. Should they venture down it, they will run against some formidable snags.

Gen. BALDY SMITH, is reported to have been within fifteen miles of Richmond, yesterday.

Transports are loading at Alexandria for Urbanna, on the Rappahannock, one of the future bases of supplies.

Mr. E.A. PAUL sends the following to this bureau

Nothing has been heard officially from Lieut.-Gen. GRANT during the last forty-eight hours.

The Orange and Alexandria Railroad has been abandoned above Union Mills Station, and all the Government property brought into Alexendria. The last train left Brandy Station at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening.

At what point the new supply depot will be established, remains to be seen.

[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 Grand Movement: The Advance into Virginia – 2
From Gen. Sherman’s Army-The Campaign Opening – 3
The Red River Expedition: The Gunboat Eastport Blown Up – 3
The War in Arkansas: Return of Gen. Steele to Little Rock – 3
Cotton Transactions at the West: The Dealings Between Kirby Smith and Parties in the West – 3
From the Red River: Gen. Banks at Alexandria – 3
Forrest’s Brutality: An Incident at Murfreesboro – 3-4
The New Western Troops: Rapid Organization for Service – 4
Arrest of Greenback Counterfeiters – 4
Terrible Railway Accident-Eighty Soldiers Killed and Wounded – 4
Guerrillas Overhauled – 4
Ovation to Massachusetts Soldiers – 4
Raid on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad – 4
Texas and Mexico – 4
Facts about Freedmen: Their Condition in Gen. Butler’s Department – 4-5
News from Washington: Special Dispatches to the N.Y. Times – 5-6
Proceedings of Congress – 6-7
Editorial: South of the Rapidan – 7
Editorial: Forethought for the Wounded – 7-8
Editorial: The Duties of the Hour – 8
Mr. Brady’s Photographs of the Committee of the Sanitary Fair – 8
Systematic Inflation of Prices – The Speculators at Work – 8