Daily Nashville union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-05-30
WHAT the REHELs THINK.
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.


The evacuation of Norfolk, of which
we have intelligence this morning. has
been determined upon, we presume, by
Generals Randolph, Lee and johnson,
alter a full and careful consultation. It
is doubtless considered a military ne
! cessity, the grounds whereof, as we do
not know, we shall not undertake 20
| criticise. If a necessity, it Is a very sad
and humiliating one-the loss Of the only
great navy yard in the Confederate
States. We trust, however, we shall soon
see the good results gained by this inn
portant step. If IL indicate the sagacitv
of seizing the most important of two
incompatible objects, aud sacrificing the
other, it may be a great resolve.
Our readers will remember that Be-
naparte, after besieging Mantua with
10000 men for months, with a great
train of artillery, and when about 20
reap the fruit of long toll in an almost
certain prey, on the 31st Of July order
ed Serrurier TO burn his gum carriages,
spike his cannon, bury his proiectiles.
and throw his powder into the water, for
the purpose of joining the besieging
force to the active army. Concentrating
on the Upper Mincio, Bonaparte fought,
in SIX days with 10000 men, three brill
liant battles, which put 10000 men
hors do combat. Wurmsor lost 10000
men--7000 or 5000 killed, and 1900
or 1900 prisoners. He was driven out
of the field into the mountains. If
similar results follow the evacuation of
Norfolk the people of the Confederate
tot NUtII hn lo1 A.,
temporary sacrifice Of Norfolk. rr
Jackson's victory in the Valley Of
Virginia is an encouraging and impor-
tant event The region is important.
The killed and wounded are not as nu-
merOus as might have been expected.
But as the enemy is pursued, we hope
it will enable that valiant and capable
commander to take the field north of
Mason and Dixon's line. Such a diver
sion would be timely and beneficial TO
johnson and Beauregard, whose only
fear is the inequality of arms and men
they have to meet.
The strategy of the commanders Of
both grand armies of the Confederats
States appears to be the same. General
Johnston strives 30 get the Northern for
ces away from their notifications and
their gunbOats up the ChicahOming
Swamp, or near TO Richmond Beaure-.
gard awaits the grand attack of Halleck
at COrinth, away from the Tennessee
river beating back their corps Of
observation, and ready for the combat.
Mcclellan and Halleck are cautions,
though their forces largely outnumber
the troops Of the South. They are feel
ing their way with large accommodating
bodies, or approaching with trenches.
Johnston's rear guard, in falling back.
before the earth approaches aud cannon.
has been attacked, and it would seem has,
at Williamsburg and at Barnhamsville,
repulsed the enemy with sanguinary sue
cess. Whether Johnston will succeed in
making them follow, and in bringing ON
the general action at the desired point,
we have not yet learned If he does not
and Mcclellan draws of, dirt will again
be dug and big guns mounted, or McClel-
Ian will attack at some other locality
perhaps by crossing James river and at
taeking from the South, or by way Of
Fredericksburg on the North. The pres
sure upon him is great. Johnston can
fall back no further, and will not. He
can only change front now.
The strategy of HalIeck will be the
determination of the precise points OF
attack, the manner of attack, and the
manuevering on the field Of battle-the
disposition and movements OF his troops.
With an eye TO these things, he is inves-
| tigating the localities and arrangements
Of his antagonists, as far as he is able to
ascertain. His advance corps Of 5,0O0hAd,
il seems penetrated as far as Farming
ing, five miles from Corinth, when attack
ed by a Confederate force Of equal num-
bers, under Generals Bragg and Van
Dorm, and driven back with slaughter 10
! the protection Of their main body, Co
whom a general action is offered.
We trust that, after the preliminary
engagements we have had, decisive bat
| Ties will soon be fought in Che East and
In the West. The suspense Is Of the
most intense and painful kind On
hese battles depends the early and tri-
umphant termination Of the war, or its
prOlractiOn, with untold troubles 10 the
South, On them, probably, depends the
attack on Charleston. We hope 20 see
the South redeemed and. such blows
struck as will palsy the arms OF our
ruthless assailants.
l
| unaovu,attou Tor Soldiers