Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-14
DEFENSE or MEMpHIs


The Memphis Aualdnche of the Goth thus
expatiates upon the importance of preventing
that city from falling into the hands OF the
Federal troops
''As we have said again and again. the en-
emys great blow will be struck in his at
tempt to gain command of this valley. II
Columbus and Memphis should fall, he will
haze uncontrolled sway for two thousand
miles of the richest agricultural region in the
world, extending from the Lakes Of the North
to the Gulf Of the South lie can move his
gunboats and transports at wil-not five
miles per day, as he now moves his army on
land, but fifty or one hundred miles per day.
He will garrison towns as he goes with troops
enough to keep down all opposition. He will
thus penetrate the heart Of our cotton and
sugar region, and it will be no ordinary task
to drive him from it. At least it will not be
done till cities, towns, villages. hamets and
private dwellings are laid in ashes, and man
hood and womanhood be made to drink the
cup of bitterness to the dregs.
Our duty is before us all, and it is piaia
We must defend the Mississippi river and the
Memphis and Charleston railroad. While we
would not place our opinion against any com
handing officer at Columbus, we are frank to
confess that we think Fort Pillow is the point
for a stand on the Mississippi, if it be not too
late to abandon Columbus. The latter place
is too far from that great artificial line of sup
port and defense--the Memphis and Charles
ton Railroad--and if Fort Pillow can hold
the enemy in check in his advance by water,
he l0W neUer ddvance By land
Be it Columbus or Fort Pillow, one or
both must be held and point on the Ten
nessee river (say Hamburg). With these
two river Notifications made impregnable, and
others between them, in easy supporting dis
tances of each other, we can defy the advance
of the foe for all time to come. Men, how
ever, are needed for this duty. 1t will not
do for us to rely upon President Davis, or
any other great man, for help, in this hour Of
trial.
Much is said about President Davis send
ing us aid. This may be so. We trust it is
so; but we confess we do not know what
point on our Potomac or coast lines can be
safely weakened just now. Large forces are
threatening us in all quarters, and we must
rely upon ourselves upon the men from this
great valley The Legislature will probably
soon authorize the Governor TO call the militia
into active service. For the sake of honor
and manhood, we trust no young unmarried
man will suffer himself to be draItedl He
would soon become by-word-a scotia
shame to his sex and to his State Leave
that for old and married men but, in the
name of patriotism, let us not see young men
parading our streets as militia when the guns
of hundreds of sick soldiers are waiting for
them at Columbus
We invoke the attention of our girls up
on this subject, and if young men, in pan.
falcons, will stay behil desks, counters
and molasses barrels, let the girls present
them with the garment proper to their peace
able spirits. Success will make demons of
our invaders, aud success in the invasion of
this valley will be more cheering to them
than victory at any other point"
w. b. Taylor, who has been employed in
the New York post Office for forty-three years,
the greater part of the time as assistant post
master, and who was appointed postmaster
January 10, 1861, by President Buchanan, has
been ousted to make room for Abram Wake
man, an ambitious New York lawyer.
Hon Reyerdy Johnson has been elected
U. s. Senator by the Maryland Legislature
from six years for March next