The New York herald., 1862-12-26

A
whore Opportunities Tor bold strokes were allowed pass
unnproved, and try to account for them.
GRENADA, MIS-
'Why did they not take Grenadas" Is question heard
many times every day Fer the simple that they
wers not strong enough washburns cavalry which
alone penetrated TO within five miles Of Grenada mum.
bored less than two thousand and had no artillery
afew mounted howitzers Al Grenada they had salts
aoory information were stationed four fun regiments o.
rebel conscrpts with large reinforcements within few
hours distance, by rail. General Washburn was des
rous Of dashing into the town. ne been properly
supported by infantry and artillery would certainly
done SO. As 1t was, though he might have taken the
place. he could not have held long, and in his opinion
the risk was too great TO Whether he was wse in
his decision or not for each one, knowledge Of all
the facts TO judge for himself That he acted from the
best Of motives no one has a right to doubt.
CxSsuRH on GENERAL HOvKY. -
Again many severely censure General Hovey For re.
naming dle with the infantry and artillery. At the
mouth mo o. .he e. s o. advancing pdy 70
strong enough TO have captured several OF mport.
ance What particular reasons may have induced General
Hovey TO hts course cannot uuder' axe 70 saw but
1t Is easy enough for any ore 10 Hnd out
few arguments in favor Of his action. as wise
a pruaen. 0ns Iney were nc heart or ensmys
posed with their necessarily moyements 10 mm,
nens danger o. attack and should they follow the
dered that the main body Of Prce's army was but fifteen
miles distant from ourayary at one te il WIN be seen
artillery, could saIe the cp1mand from annhils.on
should ths enemy Secs awaro Of their exact position
= wns .na Instead Of thus rasfiy rush
ana Win ~ forehough. Of good commander establish
ou oss operations from which the cavalry could ad.
sno' d and upon which they could fall back in Of
anger This base also near enough TO the river 70
insure safe retreat Of the whole force should become
| necessary.
THE EXPEDITION ON rns TENNESSEE MISSISSIPPI RA&oAD.
As the column was approaching Oakiand-a station on
the Mississippi and Tennessee Rair0ad-jogging slowly
along by twos rise ground overlooking the village,
Gen. Washburn who wasEn the extreme advance leading
the column fact deserted rebel picket on the brow
the hill He Immediately ordered the gun forward and
the order was obeyed As promptly given The position
dreaming that this piclSe differed in any respect from
those whom frequent sight had made familiar No sooner,
however had the gun been pushed to the head of the
column than some eight ton hundred rebels who had
disnounted and hid in the woods 70 their feet and
poured nerce vcey into the column. One OF men
turned back in confusion and re.reated per-
haps hundred yards The howitzer being thus len
seized and carried Cd before our men could rally from
their temporary rout II is wonder that Geperal Wash
burn was not himself captured as ne was some distance
| thick and fast as be made his escape but he only
took OF his cap and smiled In . moment
! ~ere ready for hem; but in the meanwhile they had
EaHef ehe opportunity Afforded by disorder to make
good escape @ With Their prize We dashed after them
ersaong tEen cue lisntenant-anda number Of horses
This thotrne story and ths whole OF it, The loss Of
doubt if they had before IN all the West They
the things TO- against our foraging parties and
or scare or any moderate sized train What has been
the result OF the whole expedition some one may ask
We have mado march Of nearly one hundred miles nto
the heart OF Mississippi through portion OF country
hitherto untouchca by the feet soldiers have be-
come acquainted with the topography and geogra.
bridges torn up important railroads in as
many places; have inspired the Inhabitants, with
| wholesome fear and dread Of the strength and
power Of the government have captured nearly ty pr
sonsrs have taken two or three hundred head OF
make swift daring bold marches well as the enemy
To counterbaance all this havciost one small howt
zer. had man killed and eleven wounded An appi-
cation to the problem Of one OF the simple rucs Of arth
metc will show which SIDE and how great, the ba.
lance Of benefit is. TO me it seems If not all II might
been done but could not have been reasonably
pected Esd less been accomplished we should not have
CHANGE o. COMMANDERS. N
Those Of us who had settled down into the bcef tina;
and far possible repetition Of the old were
little surprised by the sudden arrival in midst Of
Brsadier General Willis A. Gorman OF Minnesota. order
ed hithcr command OF this army. OF
all calculations and nitaory steps for movements Of the
forces here upset at onco and order Of things
naugurated. General German arrived day before yes
crday. and Immediately set to work 70 learn something
OF the nature and condition OF his command He assumed
command yesterday; but yet has issued order.
Of the impression which he has made it 10 yet hardly
time speak. Though known to but few Of person
ally all know him by reputation. More than years
service the peninsula beginning with the
first and disastrous battle Of Bull had made his
name familiar to u.s. and knew him brave capa-
bic officer His appearance and did not disappont
the good opinion entertained OF him. Thoroughly sodiery
appearance quick and prompt in what he has to say
with pleasant word for all he has made far as
learn, from those with whom have conversed, highly
favorable impression The alacrity with which no entered
upon his duties without Wasting time in formal ceremc
MES, without waiting establish permanent head
quarters but making so OF the nearest accommodations
ann msn foI peIieS pves @ nranso o, % work "s
| end 10 idcness, and OF opportunities to win
immortal honor and fame That he win not long re-
10 lind and meet them. have from the best possible
thoritythat is his own Already ne Is informing him
self the strength and perfection OF the army by peso
nal observation Yesterday he reviewed the second ii
vision, comprising nearly onchat OF the army. II
brilliant affair, bui too similar 10 the many which have
occurred the Potomac u merit extended account
General Steele Is TOO highly esteemed by the rebels Is
enen. his dealings with them 70 be popular with
our own rnen Since he assumed command IIecua has
literally swarned with citizens from all parts cf the
try who come in their carriages their wagons and on
their horses and home with hem all laden down with
! Yankee manufactures and Yankee merchandise. Ask
Of these TO take the oath Of aogasco, and he or
bttcr--woud resent 1t AS federal insult.
wh,lc Generals Carr and Hovey had command
difficult TO obtain permission 20 enter our lines,
and IL was seldom that VIC citizens face. Now,
pass Main street any ne morning and 10 will be hard
No officer who allows this state OF affairs continue
hope for popularity in army and this more than
augh else has proudiced public opinion against General
\ steele
TRADE on TIVE RIVER.
In GONE Of my former letters have called attention
scmo OF the resulting from the opening of trade
| along the river What then serious matter has
become great wrong and outrage, demanding at once
/ investigation and reform While thousands Of brave
! sacrificing time and money, endsngering their
lives and health and undergoing hardships Of every de
| sCripton in the field, IL is cruel wrong, burn
/ ing Disgrace. that others, In whose eyes q
! a. liar Is OF value than the country
| aid the government should DO allowed 70 make
princ,y fortunes BY feeding and clothing those whom
thcr ends aud neizhbors are fighting as deadly cnc
mics Aud yet This Is done every day here Boat after
boat loaded with provisions clothing SALT tho
and inxvies OF lie, armed with permit from the Urea
sury pclsrmen and protective papers from the admiral
corntnanGng the iota and occasionally from some
of our nanny commanding generals. passes down the
aud exchanges its cargo tor cotton Why should
iced ard hight the rebels AZ ono t!ey Why should
clothe and shoot at them! One the other Is use
erl. 7, Of food aud clothes or OF powder and
I IaLnn fhinu or the nihAr lie done