The New York herald., 1862-11-08

AS'A6
season Of preparation necessary to vigorous
aud comprehensive forward movements has a.
last ended, and the Union forces arc again in
motion Those of our readers who have COM
pared, digested and combined the reports OF the
advances of the four great divisions Of our
army, and. the preparations made to bring into
action both our river and ocean navies, have
already comprehended the great plan of this
winter campaign, and the glorious results
which, If properly prosecuted, it will undoubt-
edly securc to the country.
In Virginia the forces under Mcclellan, Cox,
Sigsl and Heintzelman are now engaged in
operations of the utmost Importance. The sue
cesses, the skirmishes and the gradual ad-
vances Of these forces, which we record day by
day in our news columns, indicate all that it is
prudent for us to reveal at present in regard to
the ultimate intention of McClellans operations.
It is very evident, however, that as we secure
and hold the passes Of the Blue Ridge one by
one, and slowly move along the east side Of
that mountain range, the rebel army under Lee
becomes imprisoned on the west side Of the
mountain, is prevented from reaching the for
tilted fords Of the Rappahannock, and is forced
gradually farther and farther away from Rich
mond, which our army is as gradually approach
ing. and that at the same time Washington is
protected from attack, and its vicinity is no
longer exposed to sudden and annoying
rebel raids. Whether Mcclellan intends
to force Lee into q general and de-
cisiye engagement, or to cut him off
from supplies and reinforcsments and destroy
him at leisure, or to shut him up in the valley
and then make sudden and successful descent
upon Richmond, leaving Lee imprisoned be-
tween the mountains, is, of course. conjectural
The strategical movements in Virginia resemble
those OF a. game at chess, when one player SO
places his strong pieces as to cover his own
king and force his opponent into such posi-
ton that his checknatc is inevitable. General
Mcclellan has doubtless determined when and
how he will checkmate Lee and those of us
who can neither understand nor explain his
moves, any more than we could those of Paul
Morphy, must confidently await the victories
which will undoubtedly result from his oombi-
nations.
But other divisions are advancing besides
that Of Mcclellan. From Kentucky we learn
that Rosecrans. having assumed the command
formerly held by Buell., has left Louisville TO
Join his army, now bivouacked in Kentucky,
along the Tennessee line. General Rosecrans
has at least two great objects to achieve In
the first place, he must protect Nashville, an
-, 49,
place, he must perform an imperative duty
hitherto strangely and unwisely neglected by
our military authorities-by entering and hold
ing East Tennessee, and liberating its oppress-
ed but lnaexible Union patriots from the in
famous tyrannies and outrages of JEFF. Davis
despotism. The occupation Of East Tennessee
will give us possession of most important
strategical base Of operations, sever the great
rebel artery Of the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad, which connects with the roads in yir-
ginia, Georgia and Alabama; cut Off the south.
western from the eastern portion Of the confede
racy, and completely hem in the Virginia rebels
If General Rosccrans shall neglect TO perform
successfully either of these important and in
dispensablc duties he will fail to satisfy the
lust expectations Of his superiors and the coun-
try. From General Rosecrans, however, we
need anticipate no suoh failure, and his part of
tain Of achievement. Proceeding still further
West, therefore, we find that Cen Grant has LEFT
Bolivar and advanced TO Lagrange, on the line
Of the Charleston and Memphis Railroad. en- route
probably for Holly Springs, where the rebel
Generals Pemberton and Price are said to have
concentrated an army of about fifty thousand
rebels. The defeat aud dispersion of this army,
by way of sequel to the victories of I.osecrans
and Hurlbut at Corinth, are perhaps the objects
of General Grants movements If so, that sec
ton Of the country will soon be clear of any
organized rebel force. In the meantime Gen
cral Curtis is clearing out the valley of Arkan-
sas, and a part Of his army, under General
Schoaeld is reported at the Boston Mountains,
having defeated the Confcdcrates in several en-
gagements and driven them to the mountains
for refuge.
Besides these movements OF our armies, seye.
raj expeditions are now organizing or in actual
motion for points not yet revealed to
tho public, and the probability Is that
we shall receive Intelligence before
long Of expeditionary operations quite
as important as those against New Orleans
and Port Royal. The fotila of Coumo-
dore d. D. Porter, for service on the Mississippi,
is now nearly ready for action, and will soon
give us control Of that river. This accom-
plished, the rebellion will be literally dis.
severed, the rebel States east Of the Mississippi
will be completely isolated from those west and
southwest, and JEFF. Davis confederacy will
practically consist only Of those seeded States
along the Gulf Of Mexico and tho Atlantic
ocean. Thus the blockading squadrons along
the seacoast and the river blockades on the
Mississippi, Ohio and Potomac will environ at
least thrcc.fourths Of rebeldom with a Gordon Of
c,,nhoats and leave our armies free to puard