The New York herald., 1862-03-08
THE SITUATION IN THE WEST.
IErom the Memphis Appeal. Fep. 23.l

One of the papable effects of the late disasters
that have rapidly crowded upon US has been to
petey break up military lines Of defence and
state reformation several degrees further SOUTH
will longer extend from CoombuS TO Forts Henry and
Doncson, thence to Bowling Green and towards Som
erset We may safely calculate however, that Cumber-
land Gap will be the stand of extreme right wing
and that ample precautions will be taken by government
protect this and other natural gates East
Gen Johnston, 1t Is understood, will not attempt
hold Nashville, but has moved his army towards
Murfrecsboro, thirty miles southeast, where he is ex
fall still further back in the neighborhood Of Stevenson
Alabama. From this point our line must necessarily
tend west along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad
Corinth. thence north to Jackson, Union City and Co
umbus
and the state capital certainly Of great moment
to u.s. but its chief effect will bo moral in the North
and Europe We stand its immediate consequences
at home, however, without serious detriment our
cause. The character of the county is such that Buell.
will accomplish little else by further advance than
endsnger the safety Of his army except be made with
view OF destroying OF the large bridges along the
line Of railway extending between Knoxville and Decatur
He may make forays with this view but the great bulk
Of his army will never venture twenty miles south Of
Nashville
The seat of active hostiies for the future is 70 be
west Tennessee river in Kentucky and Tennessee
Columbus and Memphis are the prizes which
held steady in view and the full strength OF the enemy
will put forth in the next thirty days for their cap
turc. We had well look these facts sernly in the
face and confront them with fearless determinato
and waksI"l @ energy worny , our nlgh ana holy
ankng Of Bowling Green, which led to its evacuation
and secured the easy occupation of the capital OF Ten
He will now rcpose temporarily upon his
less until Hallcck makes tho movement Columbus,
which he at present has in contemplation.
Our military authorities should lose time in cxpe
diting their preparations this attack They may
or may have information that IL Is TO be made
but Of this advised. Still. can tell them
with much confidence and accuracy did regard
ing the attacks Forts Henry and Donelson that ind
cations which find in the Northern papers-always
infalibe promoters OF federal war movcm nts-pont
almost certainly to speedy attempt at its execution.
The order which has been issued to the railways in tho
Northwest to make preparations for the
Of fifty thousand troops from the Potomac the shipment
Of heavy mortar guns from Psburg to Cairo and the
gradual assembling OF troops at the latter place in
mind are as many positive proofs Of what we say.
The attack ON Columbus will be made by land and
water. Foote'S aotla of gunboas and mortar boots
undor the direction Of Hallcck, will move down
tho Mississippi, with the view OF taking
batteries and driving army from their intrehch
ments by bombardment. simultaneously, may
surrnise, q movement will be made by land from
Psducah with not LEES than sixty thousand men,
Tnc object Of this column will be to penetrate TO Union
City and Hickman, so as to cut of communication be-
tween Columbus and Memphis by both river and railroad
This feat accomplished is hoped that the position will
weld to lengthy siege, should 1t fail to a succumb
to terrific bombardmcnt Such believe, is the plan
Of the enemy and only few weeks will test the correct
ness of our opinion
To resist this sttack-we TO discuss not to dc.
tate measurcs-two things viii evidently be necessary.
F.st TO mako the heavy batteries at Columbus, and
other places below bsnbrrooa neglect 20 do which
alone has lost Hstoras Port Royal, Forts Henry and
Donelson spd Roanoke Island only disasters OF the
Secondly TO place large reinforcenents In the
Of Columbus along the Mobile aud Ohio Railroad from
Corinth to Union City, so as TO b. readily moved to
Gcle.a Iok relief when wanted
e contest for the Alss,ssirr Va,c % 10 be decided
~ one m'rs tremendous Jdty az this locality chin
sriy Jay; ~ believe that the experienced and oh.
servant occr In command, who has recently been
crred from the field Of his victory and renown at Ma
TO bring order o chaos and confusion fully ap-
preciaes the responsibility aud peril Of his position and
will be equal TO the emergency.