The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-21
Gbe Clinton e gournal.
From the Msuphl, Appeal, Feb. l.
A Rabel Wow OF tho Situation.

Tho Northeru journals. in discussing the
,I.n. oI their generals. give us intimation OF
an, probabls FEATURE in their programme,
whicb. If successful would prove the heaviest
blow which could possibly be inflicted upon
our coufederacy. Ii is nothing moro or less
than cutting or all communication between
the Potomac and the Mississippi Valley by
pushing forward two vast armies through
Est Tennessee and North Carolina, thusper
forming a piece OF military strategy desig.
mated by Napoleon as "piercingthe centre.
The armies OF tho East and West are now
connected by two lines OF railway-one the
E,,t Tennessee and Western Virginia, pass
ING through the mountainous region OF TINS
State, and the other, the Weldon ana WI
mingtou, running along the Atlantic coast
Both Of these roads are in measure some
what exposed to tho assaults OF the enemy,
the former being about seventy and the lat
ter near forty miles from the advance guard
of the federal forces on either extreme in
Southern Kentucky and Pamlico Sound.
Military affairs are in o situation ut pres
ent TO especially Indicate. IL not invite, q
trial of this scheme. The Burnside naval ex.
pedition has rendezyoused on the coast OF N.
Caolina with a reported force OF land OPP
erations of about 80 900 men, which may be
increased at any time by the addition OF %.
600 more under Sherman and Dupont, now
nj Port ROYAL. Ii is evidently the design oil
this fleet, if II does anything at all, to move
ON Newburn Washington, or EliFabethtown,
with the view Of their capture and the sub
seauent establishment Of base OF operations
against tho interior portion OF North Caroli-
M.
In the meanwhile strenuous efforts may be
made IN penetrate East Tennessee by way OF
Cumberland Gap, OF some other entrance,
40 AS 10 reach the Great trunk railway be-
, tween the East and Wet, ut Knoxville or
Greenyillc. This Is known TO have long been
n fayorite plan of the enemy since the CON-
mencemcnt Of the war, and the importance
of the movement has been repeatedly dwelt
upon by the most sagacious and obseryant
journals of the Northwest. Despite the al
most insurmouutaLle difficulties OF accom-
plishing such an expedition, where every
mountain pass would be made aThermopyle
the late success Of the enemy near Somerset,
NAV possibly attract his attention to its sup
posed feasibility, while he still exults with
exuberent ecstacy over his triumph. Indeed,
we are already told that Gen. Buell. has dis.
patched large endorsements to Thomas and
SchoepG since the battle OF the 18th ult.,
though their combined commands was known
TO be at least thrce times ~ large rs that OF
Gen Crittep1en. which had rallied at last ac'
counts at Livingston, about Is miles from the
Kentucky State line. This shows disposi-
ton 10 follow up that victory by pressing
forward into Tennessee rs speedily as posi-
bic, and giving hattie to Crittenden's retired
army before il can be reinforced in sufficient
numbers TO insure successful resistance to an
attack.
or course Gen. johnson, who enjoys the
confidence Of the people Of the Mississippi
Valley to greater extent than any other
military man in the Southwest, will ut q
glance observe the evil consequences that must
follow from another defeat of our forces in
this disaHected region, and will take prompt
stems 10 arrest any such threatening disaster.
If Gen. Crittenden should again be over
whelmed by superior numbers, and Is forced
10 retreat still farther South. il requires no
superior sasacity to discern the fact that the
enemy would be greatly encouraged in his
attempt To prosecute the plan to which we
have ALLUDED. The movements in the held oil
a vast military campaign, like those upon a
chessboard, are as shifting as the sands OF the
sea, and may he expedited or entirely aoan,
doned upon the happening Of the most trivial
and apparently unimportant contingency
This principle applied may stimulate the ad'
vance o. the leu wing Of Buell's army, I'M
der Thomas and Schoepf, unless u Is con-
fronted with counter force OF equally large
proportions. =,
Wo have TO contend with the disagreeable
fact that there Is in Tennessee, the field oil
this operation, q large, disafected, II not
reasonable element, ready atall times to give
aid and comfort to the armed legions OF the
enemy in their coming. The section OF n.
Carolina. too, within the vicinity OF Halter
as, has been charged with subdued senti.
mcnt Of disloyalty. which. IL true, would Of
fer strong Inducements to invasion by the eI-
pcdi,ionary force Of Burnside. Fifty thous-
and men pushed through from each direction
while the situation at other points II presery-
ed, would neccssitate the utmost diligence
and energy on the part Of our government
authorities to keep the confederacy from be
ing dangerously pierced in its Achilles heel.
Our philosophy in this matter would dictate
the eminent wisdom Of the adage, that an
ounce Of precaution is worth pound oil
cure