New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-02-08
The Emergency--Our People must be
ArnuSeda

plain statement of facts is all that is necessary
to superinduce in the public mind full realization
of the dangers through which we are to pass be-
fore this war is ended. The hour Of our trial is
near, and if we would have bright and cheering
future, we must awake FROM our apathy and bestlr
ourselves like men. -
It is known that the North has an army Of more.
than six hundred thousand soldiers, half million
of whom are in active service. Of these, about
l50, GOO are connected with the different naval
petitions, and stationed along the sea coast. At
Washington and along the Potomac, in McClellan's
division, there are near 125 900, leaving 225 900
otherwise disposed. The army from Western Vir-
ginia has been transferred to Kentucky. AtParis,
Lexington, and confronting Gen. Marshall, in the
some 10000. From Louisville to Green river,
under Buell. about 10000. At Columbia, Somer-
set and on the upper Cumberland, there are 20 900
under Thomas, and his command is being in
creased. At Calhoun, and on the lower Green
river 10 900. The residue are at smithland, Padu-
cab, Cairo. and in Missouri.
We thus have land frontier extending from the
western line of Virginia to Kansas, menaced by
an army of two hundred thousand we'll armed and
well appointed soldiers. Fortunately for us the
weather has so far rendered operations with large
| bodies of men impracticabe. But whenever this
difficulty is removed, we may look with confidence
for their immense hordes to be precipitated upon
| us. This invasion, too, will be by river and by
land. The enemy's supplies will be brought with
| them. In this respect the invasion by the land
frontier can be conducted without the hazard to
l
| with which their naval expeditions are liable to be
embarrassed. If they break through our lines, or
turn our strong positions, then we must face all
! the horrors of invasion.
| They are now ready for an advance and nothing
| detains them, we repeat, but the roads and the
! weather. The section of country through which
| the army from Paducah and Cairo is designed to
! act, Gen. Smiths recent abortive movement has
demonstrated to be wholly unsuited for winter
campaigning. 1t is reasonable to suppose that the
other army corps are for the present inactive for
the same reason. What are our preparations to
| resist these immense numbers?
| We do not deem it proper to publish IN news
paper either numbers or the disposition OF ouI
troops, but feel authorized to say to the people
of the southwest wb need more men-more .f19flt
ing men. We have use for thousands and tens o
thousands more than we have. We must have
men enough to guard every place where the enemy
may attempt an inroad upon us. We have skilltu
and experienced Generals, but it is idle to rely
upon their skill if we do not furnish them with nlel
enough to meet the emergency. The present bat
weather is q boon from heaven. We have time tt
place men enough in the field if we go promptly
and energetically to work. 1t must be done ane
The Confederate Congress has passed law t.
meet the occasion. 1t provides for the receiving
of individual volunteers as they may offer their ser
vices, without, as heretofore, requiring who'll
company to be formed and organized before the.
could be mustered into service. The advantage
of this change in providing subsistence, transport
alton and pay from the day of enlistment, are OBJ
. yious. Additional Inducements are also held ou
to those who will raise companies, battalions Q
regiments. The duty of Congress has been wei
performed, and all that remains for the people Q
the South to insure their liberty and nationality
to act upon this law with patriotism and prompt
tude.
1t ia useless for the Government to move in thi
matter unless it is sustained by the masses-th
yeomanry Of the land. That portion Of our popu
laton who stay at home must awake from thei
dreamy ethargy turn aside for time fro 1m the
country. We must go to camps of instruction
carry our guns and learn how to use them. Th
people we fear do not realize the crisis. The tram
fer of Beauregard from the Potomac to Columbu
and the information which comes to us from othe
/. portions of Kentucky, which we cannot make pul
i lie, mean more than the country is aware of. "
repeat, now is the time for every patriot to sho
| Annp