New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-05
THE END APPROACHING.

support the Federal Government and restore
the Union. They are at length provided with
abundant and superior Arms including excel
lent Field Artillery. They comprise Fifty Thou
sand servioeable Cavalry. The are well clothed,
and better fed and paid than any large army ever
was till now. They are enlisted for the War,
and mean to earn and receive the SlOO bounty
which is to be paid in cash to every soldier
who serves to the end and then receives an
honorable discharge. They are for the most
part adequately disciplined, and many Of them
have been under fire. Whenever tolerably led,
they have fought like heroes. They are burn.
ing with impotence to close with the enemy,
end the war, and return to their homes and
families. In short, they compose just about the
best fighting material ever embodied in equal
numbers on the globe, and need but able gen.
eralship to make short work Of what remains
of the rebellion. And in nearly oil the more
recent conhicts-POrt Royal, Wildcat, Dranes.
vile, Mill SpriDg-yictory hes perched on their
banners. In the last named, q Secession army
was routed, its intrenched camp, artillery,
horses and provisions captured, and its exist.
ence as military force virtually annihilated,
by less numerous Union force which had
never before been in battle.
The rebels generally fight well; but We can
recall 10 instance in which they have offered
battle in the open field to force known to
them to be equal in numbers to their own.
They attacked at Mill Spring because they
supposed there were but two regiments there to
withstand the eight they hurled upon us. At
Wilson's Creek (near SpriDg6eld), they had
fully three men to our one; yet they awaited
our attack in q strong position, and then had
barely the best Of the fght-not enough to
tempt them to follow our comparative handful
on their retreat into and from Springfield. At
Belmont, they were fairly chased from behind
their formidable abattis and out of their camp
By raw leyies who had never before seen
volley fred in battle, and were only saved from
utter rout by the stupidity of our leaders in
not guarding against the launching OF re-
enforcement after reinforcement from Colun,-
bus. Three gunboats--which might have been
there as well a. MOTTO guard against the dis
patch of rebel regiment after regiment across
the Mississippi-would have made Belmont one
of the proudest Of Union victories. As it was,
il proved another Brll Run without its disaster
snd disgrace-the rebels being allowed TO re-
peat their fayOrite maneuyer Of finally massiDg
two Of their armies against hall OF one OF ours.
aud thus converting our victory into repulse
# not more serious discontinue.
II. L,,- sust.iu M
large armies as are now in the field for the
Union. They are decidedly inferior to US in
Arms, in Field Artillery, and in Cavalry. In
Finances they began at the point TO which
years fighting has reduced us-the use of IN
convertible paper. They are paying twenty
FIVE 10 thirty cents for Bacon 10 feed their
armies, while we are exporting Grain and Meat
To Europe in enormous quantities. just as our
troops are getting ready to take the field, the
term of enlistment OF the beat part Of their
forces is beginning to expire, and two-tbirds
Of all their regiments worthy Of the name will
be entitled to their discharge before May.
Some will most reluctantly re-enist; but
great many will not, az our experience with
the three-months volunteers amply attests. la
the average, tho rebel soldiers have been irregu-
larry fed, indiferently armed, and wretchedy
clad, especially for Winter service. Pay hos
hardly been consideration with the greater
number; what they have had has been doled
out in Shinplasters twenty-five to fifty per
cent below specie, though passing for great
deal more than they are worth. Even if fully
and regularly received, the pay of Confede-
rate soldier will not buy his family hail so much
bread and clothing ne that Of Union soldier
will buy his family. And, though our own
Medical and Hospital ,oryies is pretty bad, that
of the Ccnfederates Las bocl frightfuly worse,
with q corresponding ratio of mortality. All
the data within our reach justify our estimate
that fully fourth OF their twele-months
leyies die within their term OF enlistment, apart
from the chances OF battle.
Our armies are 10 advance upon the rebelf
lust 20 so0n rs weather and roads viii serve
on this point there is 40 remaining diversity Of
judgment or purpose. And 1t is certain that
they are to DO welcomed in many quarters
now crushed under the heel vi q icrociOus,
sanguinory terrorism. That East Tennessee is
deyotedly, overwhelmingly for the Union, the
rebels know as well az we do, as their journals
and captured letters bear witness. They re-
port, moreover, like spirit perading West
Tennessee where it has dared as yet 70 take
no more positive form than that Of resistance
to Confederate conscriptioD. Doubtless, the
4 ,,ounta;p.us ronslavaEolding nortion nj Nnrth