The New York herald., 1862-03-02
IMPORTANT FROM the SOUTH.
Our baltimore Correspondence.


BALTIMORE, March i, 1862.
Late Ncs from Richmond, Ndshsie, Columbus and lMs
phs-ProJaJle Dismissal Of the Rebel Secretary Of War
Movements Of General Alert s. Johns.Or-e is Collecting
aLayye Aamyfor Offensive &ou,men Site F5rtfcotions
at Columbus Disma,tled and the Guns RenoreF TO Mem
phis-7hs Reels O6s,ucsing the Rivers and 7sarn9 up
the Railro1 Tracks, de-, dc.
Ihave some news from Richmond up to February 27.
There had been great deal Of discussion at Richmond
among members Of Congress and other public about
the Of the late disaster at Fort Doneson and the
abandonment OF Nashville and about what steps to
be taken in future and what the future conduct Of the
war was be. 1t was understood that JEFF Davis HIM
sclf who until recently had been strongly in favor Of the
defensive policy declares that the adoption OF that
policy great mistake, and that it would have been
better have invaded Pennsylvania and Ohio in tho
fall, or even to have concentrated
the whole military force of the confederacy for
attack Washington Immediately after tho battle
of Manassas and that he is in favor OF changing
thu military policy Of the South if it be done. The
wrath of the members Of Congress is not directed at him.
against Mr. Benjamin. the Secretary of War; and his
dismissal is loudly called for. is declared that his in
competence and mbecty such that successes can
attond the Southern while he remains in Office 1t
is rumored indeed that he has already resigned in order
to avoid being dismiss d.
II Is admitted, however even by the most ardent adj.
of the offensive policy that the Inauguration Of
policy present is entirely impractcable both
from tho Of enough troops and because of the pre-
sence Of such large Union armies Kentucky and Ten
nessee Various plans have been suggested for tho de-
feat and expulsion the South of the Union armies
now in those States But the undert aking is of such
magnitude as to be hopeless great deal Is said
about guerrilla warfare, but very little about defeating
the Union troops by the strategic operations OF regular
warfare.
bert s. Johnston was collecting at Decatur IN ALbama
all the troops which he could make available with
tho intention OF attacking the Union trooDs, cut
ting of their communication with the North, and
compelling them to surrender. There were gen
temen at Richmond high in the confidence of
the rebel government who believed that 1t was
in his power to do this II said that he had at bis
command fully rs 900 troops spenddy equipped and IN
high state Of discipline, and with plenty OF cayary ana
field artillery All the guns hat we're at wing Green,
Clarksvile and Nashville have been secured, AMI arc
either Decatur Stephenson. The attcr place s
near the northeast OF the State OF Aablma and
the former is forty miles OF florence tho Ten
river and of course forty miles above the head oil
steamboat nsvigation. They are both on the railroad
| between Memphis and Knoxville. II is not likely that
the Confederate army will remain at either OF these two
places longer than viii be necessary TO make whatever
preparations needed for active and combined move
ments 1t was Understood ut Richmond that the ortn
cations at Columbus being dsmantcd that al tho
artillery would be takon down the Mississippi to Memphis
and tho place abandoned was stated ihat INC entire
rolling stock the railroad between Columbus AID Men,
phis had used for several days, sud still being
used, in transporting c1nnon gun tarrages ara ammnL
ton from the former to the c II was reported
that orders had been sent 10 destroy ts r1roa as
soon as this should have been ACCOMPLISHED. TIL
| latter statement well be doubted. however. "
probably arose tho fact TINT member OF the rohcI
Congress Tennessee had urged upon the rebel Scce
Of War to give such orders, in order to prevent tho
Union troops from using the road in marching from Co.
Iumbus towards Memphis. Besides, it was said tho iron
could be used in building the railroads much needed
further SOUTH There is very little doubt that efforts VIII
be made take part Of tho rails Of tho read and that
all the locomotives and will be drawn out or the
| reach Of the Union troops.
The greatest modification expressed by tho mem
l cofth tho Conc fro Alabama
at the recent "audacous invasion" as they call IT, OF
those States by the gunboat exped up the Tennessee
river Florence They declare that the alleged mani
estation Of Union feeling along tho banko that rivor
have been grossly exaggerated that many or the
old mon Tennessee, and few in Northern Alabama,
Unionists the same the old mon in Kentucky are
| but that there able bodied fighting mon along
| that river, very few at most and that Whatever
Union feeling expressed that occasion was tho
result of the dictates Of foar prudence on the art OF
population entirely unprepared FOR rcsistarce IL is
stated the river has since been obstructcd at
three different pontsnamcy, ut Savannah, Decatur and
Osceolahat the gunboats cannot again the latter
point which s seventy five miles north OF the Alabama
state line member Of the rebel Congress from Aha
bama left Richmond week ago, and Is now at Florence,
| attending TO this business.
II is stated that before Nashville was abandoned all
tho public transported to Decatur and Chatta
| nooga.
centrated Memphsnot for the defence Of that place.
but to Join the column of General Albert Johnston IL
he should need them. IL not expected that Memphis
would be attacked immediately Any demonstration to-
wards that city would have to DO made down tho Misss
sippi and that said 10 be obst ucted ust be-
low the Arkansas State line that vessel Be
sides the defences Of Memphis, including Forts Wright
and Randolph have been greatly strengthened during the
last month, and with the addition OF the guns fr m
Columbus Memphis will bo nearly strongly fortified as
the former place. There doubt that tho rebels Will
mnke desperate stand Memphis, because II that Tails
the Mississippi river is open TO New orleans