Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-13
THE PLAN OF THE ENEMY.


The Northern journals, in discussing the
plans of their generals, give US intimation of
one probable feature in their proeramttte
which, if successful, would prove the heaviest
Blow that could possibly be inflicted upon our
confederacy. 1t is nothing more nor less than
cutting of all communication between the Po-
tomae and the Mississippi Valley, by pushing
forward two vast armies through East Tennes-
see and North Carolina, thus performing
piece OF military strategy designatsd by Ma
poleon as piercing the CENTER The armies
OF the East and West are now connected by
two lines Of railwsy-one, the East Tennessee
and Western Virginia, passing through the
mountainous region of this State; and the
other, the Weldon and Wilmington, running
along the Atlantic coast. Both Of these roads
are IN measure somewhat exposed to the as
sault OF the enemy, the former being about
seventy and the latter near forty miles from
the advance guard Of the federal forces on
either extreme in Southern Kentucky and
Pamlico Sound.
Military affairs are in a situation at present
to especially indicate, if not invite, q trial of
this scheme. The Burnside naval expedition
has rendezvoused on the coast of North Caro-
lima, with reported force for land operations
OF about thirty thousand men, which may be
increased at any time by the addition of twenty
five thousand more under Sherman and Du-
pont, now at Port Royal. 1t is evidently the
design of this feet, if it does anything at all to
move on NeTbern, Washington or Elizabeth
town, with the view Of their capture and the
subsequent establishment of a base Of opera
ton against the interior portion of North Caro-
lima.
In the meanwhile strenuous efforts may be
made to penetrate East Tennessee by wSy of
Cumberland Gap, or some other entrance, so
as to reach the great trunk railway between
the East and the West, at Knoxville or Green
vile. This is known to have long been a
t. -. F. l. Il
mencement OF the war, and the Importance of
the movement has been repeatedly dwelt upon
by the most sagaciOuS and ObServant journals
OF the Northwest. Despite the almost in
surmOuntable difficulties Of mplishing such
an expedition, where every mountain pass
would be made ThermOpyle, the late sue
cess Of the enemy near Somerset may possibly
attract his attention to its supposed feasibility
while he still exults with exuberant ecstasy
over his triumph. Indeed, we are already told
that General Buell. has dispatched largo rein
fOrcements to Thomas and Schepff since the
battle Of the 10Th ult., though their combined
comma0s were known to be at least three
times as large as that of General Crittenden
which had rallied at last accounts at Livings-
ton, about fifteen miles from the Kentucky
State line. This shows a disposition to follow
up the victory by pressing forward into Ten
nessee as speedily as possible, and give battle
to CrittendenS retired army before it can be
ceSsful resistance in an attack
Of course General Albert Sidney Johnston,
who enjoys the confidence Of the people of the
Mississippi Valley to 9 greater extent than
any other military man in the Southwest will
at glance observe the evil consequences that
must follow from another defeat Of our forces
In this disafected region, and will take prompt
steps to arrest any such threatening disaster
If General Crittenden should again be over
whelmed with superior numbers, and is forced
to retreat still futher South, ii requires no su-
perior segacity to discern the fact that the
enemy would be greatly encouraged in his at
tempt to prosecute the plan to which We have
alluded.
The movements in the field Of a vast military
campaign, like those upon q chessboard, are as
shifting as the sands Of the sea, and may be
expedited or entirely abandoned upon the
happening Of the most trivial and apparently
unimportant contingency. This principle ap-
piled may stimulate the advance Of the left
wing Of BuelPs army, under Thomas and
SchOepf, unless il is confronted with counter
force OF equally-large proportions.
We have to contend with the disagreeable
fact that there is in East Tennessee, the field
% this operation, q large disaffected. if not
reasonable element, ready at all times to give
aid and comfort to the armed legions of the
enemy In their coming. The section of North
Carolina, too, within the vicinity of Hatteras,
has been charged with a subdued sentiment Vi
disloyalty, which, if true, would offer strong
Inducements to invasion by the expeditionary
force Of Burnside.
Fifty thousand men pushed through from
each direction, while the situation at other
points is preserved, would necessitate the
utmost diligence and energy on the part of the
Government authorities to keep the Confed-
eracy from being dangerously pierced in its
Achilles heel. Our philosophy in this matter
would dictate the eminent wisdom of the
adsge, that an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound Of cure.