Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-01-09

possible to see when it will he Federal forces under
General Buel, who made such a parade OF crossing
Green River for the purpose OF attacking the posi'on
of General Johnston at Bowling Green and thus per-
forming an on but this time on to Nashville IN
stead of On to Richmond" have thought better OF 1t
and turned back Their great superiority in numbers
would have justified them in attacking General john
ston and even in military sense they ought to have
done so The General would have accepted battle on
m his own ground that is be would have awaited their
attack, Notwithstanding the disparity between bis
forces and the Federals but be would not have been
justified in advancing upon and attacking them on their
ground Such at least, appears to be the view taken
of the case bv those who ouoh to be able to form an
opinion.
While the vast Federal forces on the North side oil
the Green River prevent for the present any progress
being made by General Jobnstons force advancing from
Green River for the relief OF Central Kentucky, these
Federal forces in their held in check by Gener
al Johnsons lines guarding the road to Tennessee Inc
real advance either side must be made farther to the
East by rousi1g the people of Kentucky themselves
Since the report of Secretary Cameron and the Mes
sage of Mr. Lincoln virtually making this an abolition
war the great preponderatpg strength OF the people OF
Kentucky appears likely to be thrown for the Confed
crates All they want is arms Fifty thousand stand
of arms in Missouri and Kentucky would add immedi
atev fifty thousand men to the Confederate ranks The
Lincoln commanders evidently cannot trust their Ken
lucky volunteers.
The operations of the Fcderass Mississippi
Sound occupying Ship Island Balox and other points,
seem to us to be aimed more directly at Mobile tnan
New Orleans. The last point on the coast which they
have occupied quite fifty miles West OF the CITY OF
Mobile, which is much more appr"achabe by both land
and water than New Orleans. Either by the Lakes or
by the Mississippi, New Orleans is very hard OF ap
proach as the slightest study of its topography Will at
once show. We doubt if any attack will be made upon
that CITY from the sea- Whether the enemy descend
the Mississippi SO as reach New Orleans is differ
ept thing We do not think they can but if they can
not it appears to be almost certain that they cannot
ascend that river Of course do not predicate our
remarks simply upon the failure OF the English under
Packenham for naturally the swift current of the Mis-
sissirpi that could not be successfully stemned by
feet of sailing vessels would not be equally nsurmounta
BILE by steamers but the fact still remains that there is
heavy current and farther that the river is compare
lively narrow and devious not admitting of many YES
sells abreast but afordiDg defensibe points at many
turns The approach by way of the Lakes will be found
equally difficult to force and easy to defend, we think
Mobile Bay may be gradually approached by means of
Judgments made at points the Mississippi Sound and
the fall of Mobile would be apt to involve that of Pen
sacola 1t is for these reasons that think the prma
~ object of Buffers expedition, concentrating on the
Mississippi coast is to menace Mobile, though whether
they will venture actual advance remains to be
1t is at the least doubtful The small towns and watering
places the Mississippi coast will probably be occu-
Pied and for the present it cannot be prevented Tor
fortunately we have navy none worthy of the
name
We have heard much recently of expedition fit
ting out at Annapolis the land forces of which to be
commanded by General Burnside, regular officer of the
old army The destination of this force is matter OF
speculation. At first it supposed likely that it was
intended to be directed against Yorktown and in anti
cipaton OF an attack General Magruder issued gen
era order to the command there.
Again the report gained some currency that the ex-
petition designed for some point on the North Car
DINA coast rumor having gore so far to desg
nate NeWbern as the precise place. The fact that as
reported the expedition supplied with large proper
tion of light draft steamers suitable for shallow watars
seemed to give color and FEASIBILITY this suppositon
The latest rumour Burnsides expedition with
an attack upon the Potomac batteries, simultaneous
with an advance by the Grand Army under McClel-
LAM the expedition to be thrown in the of lines
while McCleand advanced on the front.
TO all these rumours amount of significance at
taches and doubt due attention has been given to
them by the proper authorities We know that Gen.
Magruder has been prepared We have reason to know
that General Holmes always careful will be doubly
The most current supposition recently in regard to
attack North Carolina has pointed to somewhere in
me vicinity of Swansboro' in Onsow county, as the
point of debarkaton for the invaders who might thr
attempt to march to and seize the railroad and then
cut off Fort Macon from supplies or renforcements
even to penetrate to Newbern and the interior. These
are specuaons INDUCED in both here and at the North
and are given for what they may be worth
Strangely enough, yet, of these speculations
connect Wilmington with the objects of this Burnside
expedition. We need hardly say that this affords nc
guarantee whatever that it is not so connected as
the enemy would not take the trouble to warn
of danger and parties at other points have natural
~ their attention called to their own danger, real Oh
supposed and could hardly be expected to spend the
time in warning Without wishing to create any
unnecessary ALARM need scarcely say that the com
pete silence of the enemy in regard to this place is
i ground for extra security, but rather the reverse.
We have thus endeavored to glance rapidly over th
ground At present it is difficult to form any dstinc
idea to the progress of events in Missouri Genera
Price holds the Lncolnites in check in Missouri an
thus prevents tLer advancing South during the winter
When the summer comes they dare not attempt it. Gu
people have had slight brush with the invaders nea
4. Port Royal Ferry, in South Carolina and have bell
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