Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-07-18

~'NANA~A SSN"AOA
as the preparations for the coming contest continue to
deVelope themselves they assume proportions far ex
ceedlng IN their magnitude and the gravity of their i'm
ports anything that had been originally anticipated by
the great body of the people either side The more
sagacious leaders like MIR. Davis, who is not only
statesman but soldier, and whose position as Chair
man of the Military Committee of the Senate gave him
opportunities of understanding the character and mill
tary resources of the whole country are not taken by
surprise and are no doubt prepared for all the contin
gencies of the struggle hence Mr. Davis, although oc.
cupying the most responsible position in the Confeder
acy is enabled to preserve his serenity and to inspire
others with the calmness and liability for which
he himself is distinguished.
OF course We know not what day or an hour may
bring forth. We only from the facts before
If understand these facts fully, and enabled
to appreciate accurately the motives of those who take
part in current events, may arrive at pretty close
approximation to absolute correctness Of conclusion.
What are the acts2 First we have before US Lin
coins Message asking for four hundred thousand men
and four hundred millions of money. Next, We have
his Congress in session ready to sanction and exceed
every atrocity he nay propose Third, we have vast
unemployed population at the North, who are told that
they would now be in enjoyment of two dollars day
and roast beef but for these id secessioniss There
thus prepared to enter the ranks of army to invade
the South crush cut the rebellion ard restore as they
taught to believe they will do, the commercial su-
premacy of the North and of make employment
for themselves 1Len fourth considerations there is
the Navy which is hed wholly by the North, together
with all sorts OF steamboats,, tugs &c.
These are the facts side. They go to show
that as things stand Lincoln and Scott are de-
termned to make this war a most extended one, and
that just the admits, their prepare
lions complete part of frontier need hope for
any exemption from attack nor from any safety in
having organized and in readiness the means 10 repe
such attack.
On the other hand it may be promised that this effort
at subugaon will be altogether too exbausting to be
long continued II then the Conftderacy can success,
fully resist tie brunt of the attack and maintain itself
through the winter and until the next summer opens we
may fairly regard the backbone of the invasion as brok
tn, and although predatory attempts may continue to
be made they will be less vigorous and more desultory
The coming winttr after the cotton crop gathered
after rs usual time OF coming to market will evidently
be one OF tie most critical periods of the war. The
! North holds out nducement to England and
France to hold off, that the cold weather sets
in the leading cotton ports will be occupied by Federal
troops and thus the crop released without the necessity
for any intervention the part of the Western Euro
pean powers to break up the blockade. They will
strain every nerve 1t is matter of lie and death with
them. 1t is never will be in the winter.
They know that if they do not release the crop in the
way they speak Of Eng aud and France will do it in
their way, and thea TIE game will re pretty much played
out
For the coming winter the South will want three
hundred thousand in the field at various points,
that no lodgmeut Of the enemy may be made. The
main attempt outside Of Virginia, will be On the lower
Mississippi, descending to New Orleans capturing
Memphis by the way. This will be made because Of
cotton, aud the attempt will be made against Mo-
bile by way OF the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. These
points must be defended. 1t will be sought to control
the cotton of Tennessee through Memphis. That point
will require attention.
The Gulf Coast presents few points where it would be
worth while to make landing. New Orleans might be
approached i'll steamboats, 10y way Of Lake Pontchar-
train but certainly not by the winding course of the
river through the Delta. ApTaiachcoa, st. Marks ard
Pensacola are the only points from which any impOr
tant position could be reached, if except Noble,
which is too strongly fortified to be easily approached
by The mouth of the ST. Mary's, containing the
harbors of Fernandpa, Fla ard ST. Mary's, Ga, could
only be useful coal depot for blockading steamers
of the enemy, but that account alone it ought to be
fortified.
What attacks may be made all our exposed coasts
it is difficult to say North Carolina South Carolina and
Georgia stretch far along the Atlantic coast with few
harbors, but many little nets known just as we'll to the
enemy as to Us.
From all we the real struggle has hardly yet
opened. With the Fail it will come hot and heavy
sharp ard decisive. 1t will need the best services of
every man in the Conftderacy. We beg of our volun-
teer organizations not to disbaGd-tO bear the difficult
ties and perhaps inustices under which they labor, at
This may last nominally for years. 1t will as
its decisive character before the 4th of July
of next year. The world will be tired of it by
then. Even the North will be sick of it but
this will not be without desperate struggle and ter
ribe effort to wipe out the Confederate flag That
flag still waving the LIST Of next June will be to all
ntents and purposes that of known and recognized
power among the nations of the earth
OF the result, if the South is true to herself we have
no doubt but we need not deceive ourselves hope that
independence can be obtained without struggle and
severe one. We wish to disguise nothing that our
readers ought to know.
Soldiers Travelling.
gentleman connected with one of our Railroads has
kindly furnished with the annexed explanation upon