The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-02
THE DECISIVE WEEK.

There is general feeling that the great
battles now imminent are TO be decisive. =
The news OF the capture of New Orleans fiji,
opens the grand final scene of the drama. anu
our troops in the field Will ha il as a goot
omen. while the enemy cannot fail 10 le Cor
responi.insly depressed by it. New Oriean.
has been nearly ruined by the rebellion
many Of her ciiizens have lost their lives IL
the bad cause, her business has been destroy.
ed. her wealth scattered. ard j, Viii taxi
-ars of prosperity To bring her hack 10 he,
former prosperity No doubt the occupation
81 the city b: our troops has been welcomed
with Joy by thousands of long oppressed anu
silenced Union men, and bv MANY Others
morally Indifferent 10 the great questions al
issue. but weary OF the srtferings and ankle
ties of seat of war. The loss of the cit,
from which they drew their chief supplies
must be severely felt by the rebel armies O.
the Mississippi valley, who are how c1t of
IL the directions most important 10 them.
and have only the range of the short line
from Mobile TO Memphis. Com Porter's
mortar fret Will now be at liberty 10 move
up the Mississippi, and Memphis viii seer
he approached on both sides and compelled
10 succuml', even without any cooperation
of lard forces.
The rebels in the Southwest are withou,
doubt getting closely cornered, and not even
the genius and energy of Beauregard car.
much longer avail them. Gen Ialeck has
fully recognized his army. infused into il
new life, and with full reinforoements and
supplies. it is now in the best fighting trim
ready and eager 70 try IFS strength upon TIE
enemy. Gen Mitchell is threatening Beau
regard in tie rear. and Gen Halleck is
crowdins close upon his front at Ccrinth.-
Inc great battle must soon begin. and If tie
expected victory CROWNS our arms. il will not
be barren triumph, but will be followed up to
the complete destruction of the rebel army Of
the Southwest. And the rebels realize and
confess the fact that this is the las, effort.
and if they are beaten now, they are finally
beaten.
On the Yorktown peninsula too everything
is ready for the grand struggle. The rebel
papers say it viii settle the fate of Virginia.
1t will do more-it will decide the fate of the
rebellion. II is confidently asserted that We
have every advantage of position, tina. our
sunboa,s VIII be able 10 cooperate with the
land forces, and that Gen Mcclellan expec,s
not merely to defeat the great army Of rebels
on TIM peninsula. but 10 capture or destroy
them so that they shall be absolutely anr,ihi
lated as an army. and so the campair. in
Virginia DE endel at a blow. The rebels
have left their forts, their seapor,s. and Their
lines generally unguarIIed, that they might
mass together their whole available strength
Tor these two grea; battles. and If they inse
these the war is virtually ended. We at
once take possession of the remaining cities.
railroads and forts of The South. not now in
our possession, and thus command the whole
South. and the rebels Will neither be able 70
collect or equip any more armies. lie. rs
win at Yorktown and Corinth, and there will
he little more to DO bu, TO catch and hang
the chief traitors. and ard give the southern
people the opportunity TO repent of their
strange madness and renew their allegiance
TO Inc nion.-Sprnytield RepuItioan.