Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-08-16
From the Chicago Tribune.
Cen. RanIrs, plan.

Gen. Ranks Plan.
Since Gen. Scott has made known his
plan for the subjugatiou Of the rebels to the
editor Of the New York Times, and through
him to the country, it may not be improper
to lay before the public the plan of one Of
the ablest mon in the nation, now Major
General in the service of the Union.
Early 10 May last, Hon. N. P. Banks,
then residing in this city, came into the
Tribune sanctum to see our night dispatch
es. In the course of conversation, which
turned on the rebellion, Mr.. Banks ex-
pressed himself substantially as follows:--
This rebellion cannot be put down by the
force which the Government has now called
out. Seventy-fve thousand militia will
prove wholly inadequate to restore peace
to the country.
The Government, and, he feared, the
people of the loyal States immensely un-
derrated the strength and means which the
rebel chiefs can command. This a rebel
lion Of the Slave Power against Republ-
can form of Government. That political
element which has been strong enough to
rule this nation for fifty years, cannot be re-
duced to subjection to the Constitution by
few regiments of militia. Before this
gigantic shareholders conspiracy can be
crushed, it will tax to the utmost the pow
er and endurance of the nation. The peo-
pie will have to put forth an effort which
has no parallel in modern times. He re-
garded this as the most formidable as we'll
as the most atrocious rebellion which has
occurred since the Middle Ages. The Sc
poy insurrectioh as no circumstance to it
either in strength or wickedness. The Sc
! poys did not revolt for the purpose o
strangling free government and setting W
slave despotism, as the authors of the SO
cession rebellion have done. The Sepoy,
were reduced to obedience in few months
by less than $4,000 British troops. -Four
times that many will not suffice to crush
out the Shareholders rebellion against the
Union, If he was at the head of public
affairs, he would call out 100000 men for
the war. He would charter every merchant
steamer and ship 6t for the naval service.
AS soon as the army was equipped and
ready to march he would start one column
of 10000 men from Washington to Rich
mond. simultaneously he would move an
other column of 100000 Western men
down the Mississippi to reach Memphis by
the time the Eastern army got to Richmond.
He would send a division of $4,000 men
! from Louisville to support and protect the
l Lion men of Central and Eastern Tennes
see and the mountain country of Georgia
Alabama and North Carolina. Before
| he
expedition by sea, and place $4,000 soldiers
aboard the feet, to hover along the South
ern coast from Charleston to Galveston
This would keep the rebels at home in thu
coast States as they would be in constan
dread of visit at every port, not knowing
where the fleet might land the army. Thi.
force on shipboard, Mr.. Banks thought
would compel them to retain in their own
States, four times the men in the expedi.
ton. 1t would be movable column
which, by the aid of wind and steam might
be off Charleston to-day, and land at Sa.
vannah tomorrow. Hence its power and
efficiency.
The remaining 10000 he would dis
tribute in divisions at Washington, New
York, St. Louis, Baltimore and other points
to act as reserves and supports wherever
the exigencies of the campaign might most
need them. He would keep recruiting Of
fees open wherever regiment had beer
raised, to fill up the vacancies in the rank;
caused by battle or sickness. He would
call on the people to organize a National
Home Guard of half million of men, tc
take care of traitors in their midst, and Il
put their shoulders to the wheel for fina
effort, if it were found that the first hal
million were not able to crush out the fou
rebellion.
When asked how he would procure the
money necessary to equip and support so
vast an army, he promptly replied: "Open
National loan as the Emperor Napoleon
did, and appeal to the patriotism of thu
whole people; take all sums offered, from
the widows mite up to Astor's millions
The Treasury would be abundantly supple,
by the subscriptions of the masses. Onl
let the people see that the Government
in real earnest in its purpose to put dow
rebellion, and it will not call on Hercule
for help in vain.
Such is brief. outline of the plan sug
gested in our hearing by Major Genera
N. P. Banks, for the suppression of the
slaveholders' rebellion. r.r
We are glad to know that the Govern
ment is now acting on substantially tn
very programme presented to us by Gen
Banks, last May. The President, in hi
recent message asked Congress for author
ity to call into the field 100000 men, an,
Congress responded by directing him !
summon 100000 men, and voted $500, 900
900 for their support. Young blood hs
been infused into the army. Gen. McCle
Ian has been placed at the head Of tn
Eastern column, and Gen. Fremont Of tn
Western. There is no longer any difficult
in procuring the acceptance of regiments a
the War Department. Cavalry and arti
ley, so sternly tabooed at FIRST are now bC
ing received and organized without stint
The evidence is accumulating, on ever
hand that President Lincoln is exercisin
bis prerogatives in the light Of his ow
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