Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-20
LITTLE SUGAR CEEEE, Arkansas,
r-ava~har u T-fI
Respectfully, etc,
T. G. ARMSTRONG,
Adi't General
The War im uissOuri---Cbnnge OF Pro-



The ST. Louis Republican, Of the 10Th, has the
following on " Gen. Hunters Plans" Since
that officer has been superseded by Gen. HalIeck,
it is impossible to conjecture what the Federal
programme viii be so far as regards the war in
Missouri;
GEN. HUNTERS PLASs.-l1en. Hunter hav-
ing issued an order prohibiting the COrrespon-
dents of the press from sending forward reports
Immediately concerning the movements and
operations Of the army under bis command, we
are without information IN relation TO whatever
preparations are going on to meet and defeat the
enemy in battle. We presume that the future
plan of the campaign in the southwest has been
arranged, and We have from q private source,
the inumatiOu that it is no part of the programme
to pursue Price and McCullJch into Arkansas, It
being believed that such q course now would be
only taking the army from its strongest line of
support, with probably no hope Of general en-
gagement except against large odds. Indeed, il
is saiG that unless there should be q hight soon,
Gen. Hunter may be expected % take Up his
march n0rthwaTl from Springfield, and draw in
his lines for a considerable distance This does
not mean an abandonment Of the campaign iu
Missouri, but simply a suspension of offensive
operations. We understand that Gen. Hunter
has come 70 the conclusion that Kentucky Is Just
now the uEl4 IDT vigorous at-gl t ll- west ana
that at present that State stands in more peril |
than our own. His idea Is to withdraw to the
north bank Of the Osaga, i0rtity the towns and
strategic points on that stream, garrison them
strongly enough TO resist al attacks. and reserve
the surplus troops for Kentucky. The military
occupation Of the State would thus be reduced
to about two-thIds of the territory, embracing, il
must be said, the richest and thickest populated
parts and leaving out that section where the
loyalty Of the people is most suspected. The
possession Of the extreme southwest is chiefly
valuable, IN factor at leas. seems 70 be so re-
gaTded-as a-I0riing key 20 offensive operations
in Arkansas and below. These being suspended, !
the value, Of course declines.
The country around Springfield must By this
time have been pretty seriously drained. Onthe
score OF economy quality, by the way, that
mas been too much overlooked in all quarters
since the way bo-au-thele are some potent con /
siderarious opeu.iugHo doubt n Gen. Hunters |
determination as TO The projected move. The /
trans purfatiOn of provisions, IOraEa, etc. for an
army Of $4,000 men, is no small item iu the bill 1
of expense, and as these supplies are none of 4
them received from the South. e follows that /
outlays are vastly diminished the nearer the /
source Of supply is appToac ed in the opposite |
direction.
We DO not claim sufficient knowledge o, mill /
tary strategy to criticise Gen Hunters plans, 1
and merely offer the foregoing as the probable /
conscientious leading him 10 decide upon q re- /
uOgale movement, la case he does no hnd an /
with the enemy to be imminent.