"From Virginia"

A South Carolina newspaper summarized the military situation in Virginia during the autumn of 1864. Many of these events—particularly the maneuvering around Petersburg and the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley—were seen as influential to the northern elections. 

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From Virginia. 

The inactivity of Grant’s army during the past few days of fine weather, gives a strong indication that is in no condition to justify any serious effort against the defences of either Richmond or Petersburg. Grant has been waiting for opportunities and reinforcements for a long time, and though he has made some advances on his right and left wings, to the extension of his lines and at no inconsiderable loss, he has done nothing as yet to enhance the questionable advantages he has obtained, and, to all appearances, is at as complete a dead lock with Lee as ever. In the next manoeuvre he may be pushed out or to one side, but he will scarcely be able to force his way in, force being his only reliance, since all strategy, such as he exhibited, has failed him. We are yet told that the next day or two will develop some new movement. New movements have been the order or our expectations for some time. But the new movement of Sheridan may furnish the key to this new expectation, so far as Richmond is concerned. At Petersburg there may be other evidences effecting the prospects in that quarter. 

Several private dwellings in the vicinity of Petersburg have been burned recently. 

The enemy’s treatment of those citizens who have remained within their lines to protect their property, is very harsh and unpleasant to bear.  

Deserters still continue to come into our lines, sometimes in considerable numbers. Not long since the deserters from New Hampshire regiment became so frequent and alarming, that it had to be removed, and another from the same State moved to the front in its stead. Ere the lapse of many days, the same condition of things was observable in this new regiment, which was supplanted at once by a loyal command from the Abolition State of Massachusetts. From the last regiment, the deserters became more frequent than before and now we understand it has been relieved by a fourth. It is the general impression that Sheridan intends to move towards the James River – if he can. 

Every barn and mill in the Shenandoah valley, that the Yankees could get at, has been burned. 

The Yankees are busily engaged in putting up Fort Harrison. 

According to last accounts from Southwestern Virginia our forces were pursuing the routed Yankees. 

Latest accounts from the valley leave Sheridan beyond Woodstock, and at a stand still. Our cavalry has been driving that of the enemy for several days; but on Sunday last we had a fight with their dismounted cavalry, who were unknown to us, supported by infantry. After a hard fight, in which we inflicted severe loss on the enemy, our forces withdrew in good order; but our artillery horses being nearly all killed, we were compelled to leave several pieces in the hands of the enemy. Our loss was, it appears, very slight. 

There is a report of reverses to our cavalry in the Valley, the particulars of which have not heard. The affair is said to have occurred at Edinburg, a point between New Market and Woodstock, fifty eight miles north of Staunton and seventeen miles south of Strasburg. 

The Yankees are as far from the Southside road as ever they were. It is curious that they are now extending their lines for a long distance southward parallel with the Weldon road, instead of westward, towards the Southside road. It is uncertain whether this is done with a view to get around our flank, or simply for the purpose of causing Lee to stretch his confronting line as far as possible from his main body. Probably the last is their motive. 

Source:

"From Virginia," Edgefield Advertiser, October 19, 1864, Page 1. Accessed through Newspapers.com