The New York herald., 1862-02-09
THE PLAN OF THE ENEMY.

FROM the Memphis Appeal, Feb IL
The Northern journals In discussing the plans of their
generals, give US ntmstion OF ore probable feature
their programme, which, IL successful would prove the
heaviest blow that could possibly be inflicted upon our
confederacy. IL is nothing nor less than sling of
all communication between the Potomac and the Mssis
sippi Valley by pushing forward two vast through
Fast Tennessee and North Carolina thus performing
piece Of military strategy designated by Napoleon
piercing the centre The armies OF the East West
connected by two lines OF railway--one, the
East Tennessee and western Virginia, passing through
the region Of this state and the other the
Weldon and Wilmington running along the Atlantic coast
Both OF these roads IN somewhat exposed
10 tho assaults Of the enemy. the former beng about
seventy and the latter near forty miles from toe advance
guard OF the federal forces either extreme Southern
Kentucky and Pamlico sound
Military affairs in a situation at present 20
especially Indicate, not invite, a trial Of ,his
scheme The Burnside naval expedition has rem.
dezvoused the coast Of North Carolina, with
reported force for land operations Of about thirty
thousand men which may be increased at any time by
the addition Of twenty hve thousand under Sherman
and Dupont Port Royal II is evidently the de-
Newbern, Washington Eiizabethtown. with ne view
OF their capture and The subsequent establishment Of
base Of operations against the interior portion q North
Carolina
la the meanwhile strenuous Efforts may be made to
penetrate East tennessee by way 81 Cum Gap or
other 20 reach the great trunk rail.
way between the East ami the West at Knoxville or
Greervls This IL known 10 have loug been fsyVrts
plan of the enemy since the commencement o the war
and the nporsnce 0f the movement has been repesleiy
swet upon by the most sagscioHs and observant journals
Of the Northwest. fsspte the almost insurnountabe
every mounian pas. would be made Thermory e. the
late success OF the s1smy Somerset ms, possibly
attract his attention TO It's supposed Feasibility while he
still exglts with cxubsrant ecstacy bis triumph
Indeed, We are already told that General Buell. hA,
despatched sgs reni)rc smsns 10 Thomas ani Schospd
ths battle of the i9th ulI, though their combined
commands wsrs known to be at least three times az
large that Of General Crt,snden, which had rallied
last sccoGnss Lv1sston about Fifteen es from The
Kentucky State line This shows disposfiIo to follow
up that victory By pressing forward Tennsssss as
speedily ., possible, sud giving bstts icCriitsndsns
retired army before Il can be renscsd suifcisn,
numbers to insure successful resistance % stack
OF course G.ners Albert Sidney Johnston. who enjoys
the confidence cf tbs people OF the M.sss.pp, valley
greater extent than any other military in the south
west, will at glance observe the evil consequences that
follow from another defeat VI cur ct, this dis
affected region, and Will take prompt s,eps any
such threatening disaster. Ii General Crtendsb should
forced TO retrsast further SOuth 10 f-res snp.-
ror sagacty 10 dis the fact that the enemy would
bs greatly encosset in his attempt 10 prosecute 'he
plan TO which have alluded. Ths movements 10 the
neld Of Q vast military campaign, ike ,hoss upon
chessboard, are ss shifting the sands OF III. sea
and may be expedited or entirely abandoned upon the
happening of the most trivial and apparently un;mport
ant contingency. This principle applied may stimulate
the advance or the left wing or Bueis army, under
Thomas and SchoepG unless 10 confronted with soun.
ter force OF equal large proportions.
We have 70 coa,end with the disaHresabs fact that
there 10 East Tsausssee the feid OF this ops alton
large dafets1 VI not reasonable element, ready at all
.nsmy 10 their coming The section of North Carolina
too within the vGntv Of Hattsras, has been charged
With asubdusd sentiment OF disloyalty, which, II true
would oHer strong md Lceneots 70 Invasion By he st
pedit,onsry force of Burnside Fifty thousand men
pushed through from each direction whle the SITUATION
other points preserved you'd nscesssts the utmost
and energy the part Of government autho
rites keep the confedsracy from being dangerously
pierced in its Achilles heel Our philosophy 10 this
matter would dictate the eminent wisdom OF the Adses
that sn ounce Of prseaution worth pousd Of cure