Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-20


Victories multiply more rapidly than they
can be recorded. Everywhere our lines
seem q be drawing closer around the already
siEangling rebellion. Western Virginia is
frse fFom rebel interference; Lander has
driven Tie enemy from the northern portion
Of ths uOld Dominion" whose Sdominion'
is among ths Aings that wersi our troops
have undisputed possession Of Kentucky
with TIE exception Of the gerrison at Oolum-
bus, which must soon evaonate or surrender,
Hlt has not already begun the line Of march
Er Dixie; tho Cumberland river waters
twelve hundred miles Of loyal soil, extend
ing across Tennessee into Alabama Fort
Donslson and thirteen thousand three hundred
q ils garrison have surrendered to the brave
soldiers Of the Union srmyi the Cumberland
river has been navigated BY Federal boats to
OlarksviIle, while The panic-ssrleken rebels
VIII not rlsk another battle this side Of Nash
Vile which point viii soon be Wrested from
them, ior Thousands ct loyal troops are NOV
ing in that direction; Gen. Halleck, re-
deoming his pledge 10 The MiasouriAns, has
driven secession from their State, and sent
Gen. Ourtiss to uniuFl the Gag Of the Union
once nore 70 the treeson-tainted breeEes Of
ArkRnhs, from whence 'ltWiil never be re-
moved; and The rebel army west of the Mis-
sisippi IS nov engaged in disastrous re-
sreat Orhas been captured BY our pursuing
forcss.
On the seacOast the prospeSt is equally en-
ooursging. Hattsras Inlet and Roanoke
leland are ours, with command Of the entire
North Carolina coast and the approaches to
Norfolk, which city is filed with well found
Cd alarm, iis inhabitants admitting that their
safety nov depends upon continued mud, in
tsrvening sWamps, and sickness among the
Federal troops. A foothoId has been OBJ
tanned upon the soil Of boastful South Caro-
lima, where the seeds Of rebellion first were
planted and geEninated From Port Royal
sn advance upon Savannah has been organ
ized, and, whether recent reports Of the sur,
rendered that city be correct or not, It's cap
tire is only q question Of time, and soon the
halmy breezss Of Georgia win kiss the Stal
spangled Banner as Il floats over military
works constructed by rebel hands. Fher
win the country have begun the reali-
ration Of the Presidents promise to "pOs
Hes and occupy the fOrts and arsenals Of the
government" for in Savannah harbOr stands
fort Pulaski, one Of the strongest Of the OLD
Federal fortifcaHons Tho expedition o.
General Butler, cooperating with the fOrceI
already at Ship Island, viii, undoubtedly
soon re-establish tne Federal authority il
the city Of New Orleans and drive treason
from the shores of the Gulf and the VALLEY
Of the lower Mississippi.
Less than q year has elapsed since oul
armies were gathered from the fields and
workshops and cOunting-rOOms ofa peaceful
land, and all These glorious results have beer
accomplished. Let selfish and meddlesome
Britain scan this record, and say whether il
is safe to provoke an unjust quarrel with such
people. Let the artful Napoleon become
familiar with the achievements Of the Amer.
icau armies, and the exploits of the Ameri.
cau navy, before he decides whether be vii
meet the American people as friends or en-,
counter thsm ss foes.