Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-02-01
THE PLAN OF rnR rNRmY


The northern journals, in discussing the plans
OF their generals, give US intimation Of one
probable feature in their programme, which, if
successful, would prove the heaviest blow that
could possibly be inflicted upon our Confederacy.
It is nothing more nor less than cutting of all
communication between the Potomac and the
Mississippi valley, by pushing forward two vast
armies through East Tennessee and North Caro-
lima, thus performing a piece Of military strategy
designated by NAPOLEON as E" pierciug the cen
ter" The armies of the East and the West are
now connected By two lines of railway-one the
East Tennessee and Western Virginia, passing
through the mountainous region IF this State,
and the other the Weldon and Wilmington, run
ming along the Atlantic coast. Both Of these
roads are in a measure somewhat exposed to the
assaults Of the enemy, the former being about
seventy and the latter near forty miles from the
advance guard Of the Federal forces on either eE-
IRENE in Southern Kentucky and Psmlico sound
Military affairs are in 8 situation at present to
especially indicate, If not invite a trial Of this
scheme. The Burnside naval expedition has
AElurhfDuetA NA as Eodoh VI MUM S&iJAAAGs
with a reported force for land operations of about
thirty thousand men, which may be increased at
any time by the addition of twenty-five thou
sand more under SHERMAN aud DUPONT, now
at Port Royal. It is evidently the design of
this feet, if it does anything at all, to move on
Newbern, Washington, or Elizabethtown, with
the view Of their capture, aud the subsequent
establishment Of a base Of operations against
the interior portion Of North Carolina.
In the meanwhile, strenuous efforts may be
made to penetrate East Tennessee by way of
Cumberland Gap, or some other entrance, SO as
to reach the great trunk railway between the
East and the West, at Knoxville or Greenyile.
This is known to have long been a @favorite plan
Of the enemy since the commencement of the
war, asd the importance Of the movement has
been repeatedly dwelt upon by the most saga
eious and observsnt journals Of the Northwest
Despite the almost i~nsurmountsbls difficulties Of
accomplishing such an expedition. where every
mountain pass would be made a Thermopyla,
the late success of the enemy near Somerset
may possibly attract his attention to its supposed
feasibility, while he still exults wah exuberant
ecstacy over his triumph. Indeed, we are already
told that Gen BUELL. has dispatched large rein
fOrcements to THOMAS and SCHOEPF since he
battle Of the 10Th ult, though their combined
commands were known to De at least three times
as large as that Of Gen. C~RrTTENDEE, which had
rallied at last accounts at Livingston, about IF
teen miles from the Kentucky State line. This
shows a disposition to follow up that victory by
pressing forward into Tennessee as speedily as
possible, and giving battle to C~RITTENDEE's re-
tired army before it can be reinforced in sufficient
numbers to insure successful resistance to an
attack
Of course Gen. ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON,
who enjoys the confidence Of the people Of the
Mississippi valley, to a greater extent than any
other military man in the Southwest, viii at a
glance observe the evil consequences that must
follow from another defeat Of our forces in this
disafected region, and viii take prompt steps to
arrest any such threatening disaster. If Gen.
CRITfENDES should again be overwhelmed with
superior nEmbers, and is forced to retreat still
further South, it requires no superior sagacity to
the fact that the enemy would be greatly
encouraged in bis attempt to prosecute the plan
70 which we have alluded. Movements in the
field of a vast military campaign, like thos
upon a ehessboard, are as shifting as the sands
Of the sea, and may be expedited or en- rely
abandoned upon The happening Of the most triy-
ial and apparently unimportant contingency
This principle applied may stimulate the advance
Of the left wing Of BUELL's army, under
THOMAS and SCHoEPF, unless it is confronted
with & counter force Of equally large proper
We have to contend with The disagTeeable
that there Is IN East Tennessee, the field Of
TINS operation, alarge disafected, if not t~reasoua-
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,
within the vicinity Of Hatteras has been
with a subdued sentiment Of disloyalty,
which, if true, would offer strong inducements to
.nvasionby the ezpeditionarY fOrceof burnside
Fifty thousand men pushed through from each
direction, while the situation at other points is
preserved, would nscessitate the utmost diligence
and energy on the part Of our government
authorities to keep the Confederacy from being
dangerously pierced IL It's ACHILLES heel. Our
philosophy in this matter would dictate the emil
nent wisdom Of the sdage that al ounce Of pre-
Is worth 2 pound Of care.