The situation in the Southwest
capture of
Berwick Bay by
Gen. Dick and the advance of our forces so near
Orleans, are certainly circumstances to inspire the
Southern heart tions of pleasure, especially as
Banks to be dependent, in a great mean the country in the neighborhood of bay for his supplies, and this capture the transit.
Yet every eye still con on
Vicksburg — that glorious city already rivalled the fame of Sara surpassed that of
Sebastopol.-- the importance of the place, from stance of its commanding the river, while it is held by us, preventing ration of our mighty empire into two parts, the pride of the whole Confederate enlisted in its behalf from the lantry with which it has been defended it fall at last — to see that tattered flag so long waved amidst the smoke of down by the hand of a Yankee foe-- noble defenders prisoners with the
Yankee would be to wound the sensibilities Republic in the tenderest part.
The soldier defend, the officers that command, itself, have become pets with all of citizens, and the bare possibility of a trophe fills every heart with an anpainful as to be almost intolerable.
so intense is the anxiety that pervades community in the
Confederacy, the is continually, and naturally, asked, does not
General Johnston strike at blow for the relief of the heroic gar Why does he not, at least, make an These are questions which it is to answer, since we know not the of
Johnston, nor the plans which he nor the reasons which prompt him long upon his arms.
That he has a force under his command seems to That that force is composed in of excellent troops cannot be doubt they are to a man impatient to bayonets with the enemy all accounts quarter abundantly testify.
Why, should for seven weeks lie idle upon and rear of the besieging army, and to raise works of counterpetition dous that it must cost an enormous of blood to carry them by storm, and to all others with whom we have communication on the subject, abso and altogether incomprehensible.-- there ever was a crisis which de a risk, this is it. Assuredly
Johnston does not mean to perse his non-combative system to the last, and eaten their last potato!
And if he to offer any assistance, can there be a time than the present?
The garrison never require his aid more than it does the crisis can scarcely grow more ur than it is. Every moment's delay sub from our strength and multiplies the chances of success.
If there be no in to relieve
Vicksburg, or to make an to relieve it, why keep that large army deadly climate?
We surely have not men that we can afford to throw them and six weeks on the
Yazoo will do the of six assaults upon the works of
Grant have always maintained that the
Yankees not take
Vicksburg; but that opinion predicated upon the certain belief that
Johnston would interpose to prevent it. ver doubted that the garrison could be out — as they most assuredly will be be allowed to maintain his position We still maintain that they cannot take it by assault.
We speak of things only as they present themselves to an unmilitary eye. General may yet have in view some great recent which we are unable to penetrate, which may effect the object more thoroughly than any that suggests itself to our tion. It may be that he designs to his own force with that of the garrison, first established the communication with before falling on
Grant.
He has high for the attempt.
In the campaign of on the
Danube, when the
Archduke was advancing upon Devout, who
Ralston, in the bend of the river, with men,
Napoleon, who was on the flank
Archduke, precisely as
Johnston is now the flank of
Grant, instead of waiting un he had become involved in the siege of tisbon and then attacking him in the rear, ordered Devout to evacuate the place and in him, by a dangerous flank march.
So eat was the belief of the great soldier in the virtues of concentration.
Perhaps
Johnston may have in view a plan similar to that of
Napoleon.
Perhaps he may order
Pemberton evacuate
Vicksburg, if it be any longer possible, and unit with him in an attack upon ant Improbable as this may seem, it is the explanation we can conceive of his long ay If
Vicksburg should fall without an rt from him his military fame will be gone never.
