The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-12-03
A Retrospect.

During the months OF December and
January last, gfcom and dependency
we're felt throughout the loyal States.
Everything appeared to be at dead
lock" The rebels held possession Of
Manassas, Norfolk, Bowling Green,
Forts Henry and Donelson, and Column
bus. The Union troops were hardly
holding their own in Missouri, while our
grand armies in front Of the rebels at
Manassas and Bowling Green, were
paralyzed by an inactivity that was
equally perplexing and discouraging.
The mystery connected with this, mac
tivity was more annoying than the slug
gishness of those in whose keeping were
the destinies of the Republic. 1t was in
the West these dark clouds first began
to break away. Commodore Foote's
cannon at Fort Henry so disturbed the
stagnant atmosphere that the clouds
raised, parted, and at Fort Donelson
the sun of liberty came out with resplen-
dent beauty. Joy filed every patriotic
heart The backbone of the rebellion
was considered broken. Victory follow
ed victory in quick succession. Bowling
Green, Nashville, Columbus, Island No.
10, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, and New Orleans,
were rapidly and triumphantly won by
the gallant volunteers from the North
west, and people began to talk cheer
fully of the close of the war. This an
ticipation was strengthened by the sue
cesses on the Atlantic coast.
But then came the reaction. Beaure-
gard slipped through Halleck's fingers at
Corinth. The attack on Vicksburg was
failure. The Mississippi remained
closed. McClellan's efforts, backed by
the most desperate fighting and cheerful
sacrifices by his army, amounted to no
thing Richmond bid us defiance Again
the rebels assumed the offensive, and in
Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and
Kentucky they steadily pressed back the
Federal legions, until the feet of rebels
pressed free soil. Once again the bloody
repulses of Antietam, Perryville, and
Corinth turn the tide against the rebels,
and our columns start in pursuit. But
another paralysis has come over the
Army of the Potomac, and it lies at
Fredericksburg confronted by power
full and vigilant enemy 1t now seems
to us that we must turn our eyes from
the Potomac if we expect to see anything
done within the next two months. 1t is
more than ever evident that the North
westis to fight the battles and save the
Government; and we rejoice to see that
her columns are again in motion We
EXPECT to hear soon of results accom-
plished. Her hardy sons, when properly
led, take no steps backward.
We learn that an important move
ment has taken place from Helena.
The rivers in that vicinity are rising
rapidly, and Gen. Hovey never hesitates
to strike when the time comes to admin
lister the blow Gen. Grant is also "mov-
ing on the enemy's works, with seven.
days rations, while Gen. Sherman, with
large force, has gone down the Missis-
sippi The rebels at Grenada, Miss, are
becoming alarmed, and the Memphis
appeal has already began its prepare
tions for a second move Vicksburg and
jackson will soon be ours. Tennessee
will be liberated, and the Cotton States
will be made to feel the terrors of war
and drink the cup of rebellion and revo-
luton to its very dregs.
Gen. Bragg, it is reported, is making
haste to strengthen the hard pressed ar
mics of Price and Van Dorm, now under
the command of Gen Joe johnson. He
is alredy at Aberdeen, Mississippi, and we
may expect another battle in that State
that well exceed the bloody struggle at
Shiloh, Tennessee.
For some days past, disappointment
and dissatisfaction has been written on
the faces of our people. But we conf
IDENTIFY look for JOY and hope soon to
light up their countenances, as they read
of other triumphs achieved by their no
BILE boys in the Mississippi Valley. II
thewar does "drag its slow length along"
we are confident rebellion will receive
fearful and stunning blows in the South
west This would be poeticsl justice,
for the base attempts of the rebels to
ALLEVIATE the affections Of the people OF
the Northwest from the Government
which has done so much for them. II
will be a fitting return for the insult to
our people in proposing to buy their 10y
atty with promise of the free naviga.
ton of the Mississippi. The navigation
Of the father of waters will be free for
succeeding generations; what noble
legacy to bequeath our children-that
the strong right arms Of their fathers
made it so.