a bit premature at The New-York Times June 18, 1864
Newspapers in Seneca Falls 150 years ago were not big fans of the
Lincoln administration and its war policy, but even the following
editorial finds it hard to believe that Petersburg can hold out
much longer against the Union army. But still, the war has taught
not too hope too much.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in June 1864:
GRANT.
Since Gen. GRANT moved his army to the James river he has been struggling for the possession of Petersburg. On the 16th and 17th inst. desperate assaults were made against the enemy’s works, but they were repulsed with great loss to our forces. – Despatches [sic] placed the number in killed and wounded at 8000 during the two days. – the struggle has been going on since Saturday last, with but very little success on our side. It is hardly possible that Petersburg can much longer hold out against the repeated assaults of Grant’s army, still experience has taught us to put no great faith in a hopeful issue of this most terrible war. If Petersburg, with its inferior fortifications, and garrisoned by only a small portion of Lee’s army, demands so great a sacrifice, what will become of our army before it reaches Richmond? The loss of life since Grant crossed the Rapidan has been unprecedented in the annals of war – and what has been accomplished?
“Off Duty” (Library of Congress: at the siege of Petersburg) by Edwin Forbes June 23, 1864
