Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-07
From the Philad' North American.
Probabilities Of the Campaign.

oberlin, April q, 1851.
From the Phiiad' North American.
Probabilities Of the Campaign.
-
The Part Fort Pekens Is to Phy-Ths con-
dihon Of Tszas-0PaaiOns at Cairo and
their Meaninq- Western Virginia and What
WiH be Done FheTs-AaTylaHd and camp
York Washington and Hoe Defended.
Plan OF THE CAMpAIGx.-The plan Of the
campaign is gradually unfolding as our ma
tional government clears away the debris
which has encumberedits pathway; and pre-
pares for action. Oflate there has been very
much impatience and dissatisfaction at the
North, the people of (which section are chatting
under the humiliation and disgrace inflicted
upon their flag and government by the rebels
with such IMMUNITY. But the mastery gen
ius ofhim who planned and executed the con-
quest of Mexico it now preparing the greatest
and most glorious achievement Of his long
and brilliant career, 50 that when amid accu-
INFLATED years his sun of life shall set, il
shall leave behind tia halo Of imperishable
renown. E.
Smaller minds, like TWiggs and his host of
associate deserters, accepted the rebellion as
an accomplished revolution, and fed to the
new power at Montgomery, where they hoped
for higher and speedier honors in the service
of a Coniederacy which bid fair to embrace
the whole South, 70 absorb Mexico and the
West Indies, and to be enterprising, and
reckless, and ambitious beyond all precedent.
But Scott has set himself to the task o freeou-
structing the Union, not by compromises,
not by a surrender Of dignity, not by conces-
sioas, but solely by demonstrating its match
less vigor and power.
Under previous administrations the old
hero had to contend with timid secretaries
or impracticable Congresses, who, not labOl-
ing under any great necessity, could not see
now they were throwing open the future to
some trouble such as has now happened
Now the case is changed. The administra-
ton is composed Of men who have unhounded
confidence in the veteran chief and who are
undying for the Union. The are ready to
assume any responsibility, and make every
sacrifice to consolidate the Republic. More
especially in this the case with the President
aud Secretary of War, who are men Of bold,
firm, and decided character, fearing no OPP
position, and daring to take any steps demand
ed by the interests of the country. From
the tone of the New York press, it might
be Inferred that there has been adopted
a policy of hesitation and i~naction, when the
case is directly the reverse. In order TO
throw q little light on this subject letus call
attention to few things.
We yesterday dwelt at some length uyon
the conditions Of affairs at Fort Pickens, and
showed that the preparations are such as to
bid fair to convert the siege into one of the
most memorable in the history of America
Already the rebels think it will require six
months to take it In our judgment they
will not be able to take it at all. Pensacola
is considered the finest harbor in the Gulf o
= Mexico, and il would hold all our navy will
1 ease. Whether we hold or finally max,
peace with the seeded States, the possession
Of that point is of the highest consequence
We want Pensacola as a naval station
While, therefore, efforts were really made Il
reinforce Fort Sumter, it was, in point offact
only to take away the attention of the rebel
from the main point of attack, which wa
Fort Pickens. The formidable feet suppose,
70 have been sent to Fort Sumter, and a por
don of which did really stop of the bar 0
Charleston, all went to Piekens, as had beer
intended by the long heads in the War De
partment. When the operations get fairl,
under way there, their vast importance vii
be seen. Already Gen. Bragg despairs @
success. New positions, he sees, are take.
BY the national forces. The vessels sent on
from New York are provided with every
thing requisite for gigantic Preparations
They carry out all the requisites for a siegJ
from which it is inferred that military force
will ultimately be landed to besiege th
rebel Notifications. There is q great guantit
ofspades shovels, Carl, etc. for digging ditch'
and building entertainments.
Nor a the enemy abandon the siege.
must be carried on, for ifthe army of Drag
be withdrawn, all the forts, navy yard an
Pensacola Immediately fell into the hands
t1e government and the place will become
! formidable a military depotRs to threaten Il
whole Gulf coast. Nay, with such a base
operations an invasion would be at on
prosecuted, and in a day the army would b
siege JEFF. Davis in ~hiscspital at Aontgomer
Tor Pensacola is the nearest and most prsci
cable point from which to aim a blow at Il
rebel capital. What then, is the inferen
Z from this Why, that as soon as the rapid
accommodating government forces assume Il
offensive, the danger will be seen at Mon
|, gomery, and instead of menacing Washin
. ton, a largo army will be sent 70 aid Brag
Every available man and gun will probab
take that direction, and the resources of I
7 rebels in men, money and munitions Of WI
will be taxed to the utmost.
This siege will serve a double purpose
: the government at Washington. Our arr
there may rise to twenty-five or thirty tho
sand men, and our feet 10 such numbers
= ---n - A. n-le -zLe-- 2.
Pickens a naval rendezvous. In this mani
the blockade of the Gulf coast will be stric
r maintained, the sea cleared Of ~privaleers, q
y, the South cut off from Access to Europe
provisions and naval and military stores.
There may be many battles fought on
mainland, as it is very possible for the g
eminent 70 place a large army in the rear
Braggs forces, and thus cut them of entire
n While this seige goes on, it might if th
II were nothing else TO attract the attention
the rebels, concentrate a large force from
Cotton States. But to prevent this, in IN
messure, the EXPEDITION to Texas has (,
planned, by which a considerable force '
be landed and set to operate on the from
ofthat State.
IfTexas has men to spare from the NJ
nary pursuits Of business, these troopso of 4
bef will give them employment at home, and
her financial means also. If she does
have to call loudly on the rebels of Louisis
thS Arkansas and Mississippi for aid II viii
singular. Houston, if he has but the 81
ses of q MIN, may easily recover possession
rs, the State by the aid of these troops.
other highly important object will be acc
plished by this expedition. Il will eh,
mate the designs Of the rebels upon the