Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-21
Movements on hand. ttl
(CorrespOndsnoe Of Missouri Republican,
+, GuEBoAE COzEsFOGA, OAIRO,
WedneRdAv. Marnh IL

Wednesday, March IL.
The future Of the Western navy is now
bright with promise, and il seems almost
an impossibility that any reverse should
occur 10 mar ever 80 lightly It's yet honor
able record. There may be batteries on
the Mississippi banks far below, where iron
missiles win be hurled more 6ercely and
numerously than ct DOnelscn and fortune
for q moment might favor the rebels, but Of
the final success that viii attend Flag OFF
Ger Foote'S splendid feet, there is but one
opinion, and that is, when starting, the OBJ
struotiOns between here and Memphis will
prove unaxaillng, aad the great Benton be
In month ct theirlsVee. Although Forts
PILLOW and Rsndolph sre stronger than
those Of the Cumberland or Tennessee, the
foroe against them viii be three times Is
formidable as any Jet used. Nine gunboats
and thiry mortar hOsts will make each at
tack, and any action heretofore will be in
significant when compared to those now
approaching. The floats have never yet
been used. The Benton, equal 10 three 9th.
er boats, has been in no Eotion, and IL Fort
Henry fell in en- hour, ten times the num-
Der Of guns should be able to reduce much
stronger places. Il is the opinion lof eau
tions military men, that with the mortars
onoe in position, throwing their i'm
mense she'll from safe distance, and the
gunbosts engaging at short range, no fort
open Rs those Of the Confederates' all are
cen be held half 9 day without the slaught.
er Of almost its whole garrison. While the |
UniSn gunners work behind iron shields, |
their foe viii be exposed to terrible |
storm Of shell shovered upon them and |
which can be continued If necessary, |
for days. Port Royal and Roanoke Willb !
tame compared 70 scenes on the Mississip. 1
pi now near. But as the enemy are driven |
closer home, their resistance will become /
more desperate, and each victory be gained
at 9 larger sacrifice Of life. Parade and |
have passed, and var every
desperate struggle Of which will make the
Old World wonder, is upon the land Itis
useless 70 say the rebellion is crushed, and
the Davis dynasty two thirds buried. In
the Southern States, where the Secession
hosts are gathering, battles bloody, proba-
bly,, ss the modern times have seen, sre
------.r..,
1s the rebel line Of defence narrows,
heir forces can act more in unison, and
iOrmidable bodies be gathered instantly |.
II threatened points Although large ar
mics are sometimes gathered together, il L
a seldom more than few thousand can
,ugage in action ct time, and even though n
lble 70 bring sui erior numbers az each /
,oint 20 bear upon the fee, Government
VII ind II some time yet before the rebels
Ire conquered
! Last year many Of our officers we're GO
ng to eat Fourth Of July dinners in Mem
,his, and since then every success has set
certain class mad with prophecy The
ailitsry men, who, by caution and perss-,
TeFance have assisted TO win the victories,
10 not consider the rebellion crushed BY :
ny means, but increase their Viliganee and
'reParatiOn. So, elthough the feet viii
'ass down the Mississippi, and IN 3 few
Eeeks be at Memphis and New Orleans, it !
; not triumphsl entry into 8 subdued !
ounIry, but route whose passage will
e stubbarnly disputed, and where one de-
ence taken will lead 10 others equally IS
trong. Flag-ofheer Foote saw this, and
Though pressed to do 50, refused TO move ,
intil entirely ready, which he nov is.
he mortar floats are all manned, the men
lrilled, and every gun-bOst strengthened
n those places where late actions have
hoWed Il necessary.
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