Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-10
The FnIl Of New Orleans.
rom the Richmond wlig.J

From the Richmond Wligl
We had our misgivings when the first reports
from Fort Jackson were so favorable. This dis
crepancy between the first report and the last 10
suit has been SO invRrisble in all our fort fights.
that we have learned to dread the recoil Of the
telegraph. So we were not unprepared for the
fall Of New Orleans. We had been prepared
from the beginning of the war for the loss Of our
seaport cities. The enemy Is supreme by water.
He has the power to transport troops and sup
plies to any nsvigsble point. We, on tho con-
trary, are compelled to move forces by roads Of
ten almost impossible. Our inability to traverse
parallel circuits along the coast of the COnfeder-
acy in time TO reinforce an army or meet q de.
monslratiou, is obvious. The demonstrated mad
equacy Of our forts to resist improved ordnance,
OF TO proven! the passage Of iron-clad gun
boats, has increased the disadvantages under
which We have always lsbored.
We do not intend 20 underestimate the yslae
Of our seaport cities, nor parry by a theory the
/ serious blow which the fall Of New Orleans will
I nfict upon US. She has heretofore commanded
! the Mississippi, aud afforded an outlet 70 the
] ocsaG, which even the blockade has not effect
| ually closed. Sho was a depot Of supplies, the
source of large money contributions, and the
workshop III which were forged many materials
! of military use. We by no means forget that
the fsI Of New Orleans carries with it the
I ELElH GDuAElllu " hA4E 9lA6bAonaDbh Gls Al1 tAAbAt-
| taries in the South, and interrupts our commU-
| nicatiou with Texas, Arkansas and Missouri
But, at the same time, it imposes on the enemy
an increased expenditure TO control these advan-
| tages, and the detachment of an additional force
90 occupy the coast cities.
Our armies are fed, clad and transported by
The supRlies,c sol the interior. They are well
armed and organized, and have always proved
inyincible in the open field. The problem Of
/ conquest is far from solution, so long as these
armies are il the field. The enemy must lay
down his advantages ca the coast, and advance
to meet US in the interior. OF the result of bat
ties, when eur troops SIGHT in sight of Gil that is
dear to the human heart, we cannot doubt. The
enemy, must be defeated, as on all fair fields
heretofore, with this invaluable advantage to cur
arms. de viii nave no earth works within
which 10 retire, no gunbosts to protect, no trars-
ports to carry away his shattered columns. We
now impose upon the enemy the disadvantage TO
which ne has heretofore placed upon US. He
must now move by land. He must transport
bus supplies in wagons. He will have tC detach
troops tor defense of his communication. AS
the enemy lengthens his lines, we condense and
concentrate ours, and our strength is thus in
creased by the very movement that weakens his.
We have always thought the government
should have rapidly developed every productive
interest in the interior. 1t should have ,accU-
mulsted supplies, and built workshops at Dan
vile, Atlanta, Tuscaloosa, Fayetteville and
Lynchburg, rather than at points nearer the
s-escoast.
1t should have finished certain short rail- DAD
connections at Dahville and Chattanooga, to
concentrate supplies upon the interior depots,
and facilitate 3 transportation, which could not
be interrupted. This we hope will now be done,
and with tins policy Of interior concentration, it
viii be impossible for the enemy 10 hold the
country winch they may oVerrun and the sea
ports they may have captured, and still have suf-
hcient force TO conquer our armies Courage
then, the worst misfortunes' have befallen us.
We have done our duty in defending all
the points which nave fallen. If we have lost
them, it was because they were untenable against
the odds. Let no man in the Ovenun country
or captured city "soAte a jot OF heart or hope
Let him, like the council Of fredericksburg,
say: K demznd shat protection Of private prop
eTty that the law CT nations gives, but I Do not
acknowledge your authority. l reserve and
ayow my allegiance to the Confederate govern
meDt." This spirit VIII render the temporary
success Of the enemy Of no value. If they
bssely violate the laws Of humanity, they teach
US more the folly Of submission II they DO not,
the country IL their possession viii compel the
detachment Of troops which will min the
ability Of the enemy 10 defeat our forces.