Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-23
rEsE INVASION OF WESTERN KEN
TUCAE.

THE INVASION OF WESTERN KEN
TUCKK.
The adviees which we have published IRON
dsv to day, from Western Kentucky, show
that the enemy is diligently attempting to carry
out his long expected forward movement in the
Mississippi valley. We learn from those well
informed on the subject-and facts so far con
firm their views-that the plan Is to push for
ward a column of from 25,O 900 to 10000 men in
the rear Of Columbus, cutting Off railroad and
river communication at Union City and Hick-
man, at the same time that Gen. HALLEcK
moves down the river with his column Of about
90,000-in company with Commodore FOOTE'S
river hotiIla. The land forces under Generals
SMITH and WALLACE, as stated by US already,
are positively known to have made a demonstTa-
toninland toward ilbun and Murray, The latter
place being occupied al present with an advance
guard Of about 5000 Federals. The whole army
O invasion, It thus appears wiIlno fall far short OF
$1,000 strong, which comedies with the estimate
given US some days since by the St. Louis and
Chicago papers
To furnish q more full understanding Of the
supposed purposes Of this expedition and its
probable destination, we give the following
speculation on the subject from a late copy Of
the St Louis Republican:
Indications here, as ST Cairo, Padueaa and
Birds Point, confirm the sdviees we have had
by telegraph, in relation to a grand forward
movement of the Uuion troops IN the Mississippi
valley. Il is stated that the immediate destIDa-
ton of the projected expedition Is Nashville, the
Tennessee military rendezvous. This may, how
ever. be a report designed to create apprehension
At Columbus and Memphis, and produce a STAN
pede from those points toward the interior and,
whether precisely true or not, the contemplated
movement viii tend to separate and scatter, 10
some extent, the rebel soldiers in that quarter.
At an events. we do not imagine that it is any
part of the plan to allow Columbus TO remain
much longer ia the hands of the COntederates,
formidable as the in-trenchments Of that position
are represented 20 be. Hearing that Nashville Is
threatened. the rebels may consider themselves
strong enough to spare a portion of their large
garrison 70 the defense of that city, In which
event It is not altogether impossible we may hear
Of the simultaneous fail Of both Nashville and
Columbus.
That Columbus is a difficult position we can
readily fancy, when we consider the vast amount
of labor that has been expended to make 1t SO;
but that it is i~mpregDGble, we have no idea.
Nevertheless, Ia taking Columbus there is a wide
field for the display of strategic skill, in order
that the cost of the capture, in the way of human
life, shall not coUnterbalance the value Of its
possession. The submarine precautions of the
Confederates to impede the progress of the gun
and mortar boats down the river. are not regard
ed by military men as presenting the obstacles
claimed for them. As for the torpedOes placed
in the channel aTaft Of logs viii disposeof them,
and clear the way for the feet without any vast
amount of bloOdsbed, while the land forces may
attain the rear of tie rebel batteries, and take
possession by either assault or siege.
But Whatever the destination Of the forces
which are about to take up the march south
ward, we welcome the movement most heartily
The country, it is Idle TO deny, is eminently pre-
pared by "yigils long and a forbearing patience,
10 receive the tidings Of some marked and deci-
sive victory in the West. Even a defeat might
be brooked as the initial Of a determined and
vigorous fighting campaign Bur there viii be
no defrats The troops IN this department are
numerically strong enough, they are brave
enough and well enough ofieered and equipped,
to meet and vanquish the insolent foe who op-
pose their arms. Let us believe that the time Of
organization, tut rship and preparation is st
length passed, and that soon viii begin the hard,
resoIute strokes that shall make rebellion culver
and shake from Fairfax to Pensacola.
The Republican is evidently impressed with
the idea that the movement up the Tennessee
river by the Federal gunboals IS something more
than q mere ieint, and hence its hopeful ailusion
to " the simultaneous flio both Nashville and
Columbus.7 Our. own opinion is that the de-
monstadons towards Fort Henry and Paris only
have in view the destruction Of TIE railroad
bridges over the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers, the successful contamination of which
would doubtless be followed by q speedy with
drawal of this advance force to the main body OF
the Federal troops southeast of Columbus. In
dicaiions show that the forward movement " Is
to be made on t e latter point by both land and
water, at least if the enemy can keep his cour-
age up TO the sticking point a sufficient length
of time. Gen. BUELL. may probably make his
long threatened advance at the same time Tn
bad condition Of the rosds at present viii operate
very unfavorably against the enemy, iuasmueh
as it completely p~recludes the possibility of his
using artillery except on the ~gunbOats and float
ing river batteries