New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-08
The Movement from Helena.
FROM Tae So LOus Republican.


/ Our Memphis correspondent, in an interesting
letter published in our last issue, somewhat upset
the conjecures that had been made in reference to
the destination of Gen. Hoveys expedition from
Helena. II turns out that It was neither designed
for Arkansas Post for Little Rock, but that in-
stead of operating within Gen Curtiss department,
Gen. Hovey had orders TO place his command in
the State of Mississippi, to bear some part in the
execution of the plans OF Gems Grant and Shermans
for the dslodgmens Of the enemy from lis position
at Abbevie.
The letter referred to gave our readers, we may
assume all the particulars OF this movement, proper
70 be published, that were known at Memphis on
Sunday last. Gen. Hovey with sixteen boatloads Of
infantry, cavalry aud artillery, landed Wedne'day
night last, at Fnar's Point, twelve miles below
Helena, and on the following day the march was
taken up for some point in the interior.
| Had Gen. Hoyey's command been intended for D.
permanent Reinforcement Of the column Of either
Gen. Grant Gen. Sherman, 1t seems little out Of
the way il should nave gone down instead Of up tho
river Naturally if it Joined either it would be at
tached to the force OF Gen. Sherman, advancing from
Memphis; and as the latter Is believed to he moving,
In conjunction with Gen. Grant upon the enemy5s
works at Abbeyille, tie expedition spoken Of has
gone IN nearly an opposite direction. II may bs.
indeed, that a junction OF Sherman's and Hoveya
troors IS 70 be made but if so, IL Is plain that sone
thing Of than ordinary Importance Is 10 DO done
frat.
one thing that strikes US is the large proportion Of
cavalry. THIS, we take it, means thai whatever 10
10 be done IS 10 be done quickly. OF course 1t cam
no, be in contemplation TO throw less than ID 0OO
troops of all arms in the OF the Rebel army for
the purpose of fighting battle. We cannot, there
fore regard the expedition from Helena as anything
more than an auxiliary TO the movements Of Grano
and Sherman in front. II may be possible for the
cavaly destroy bridges aud cut up the road In the
Rebel line OF retreat and this might be attempted
while the attention OF the enemy az Abbeville Is en-
Gagged IN awaiting an advance OF the main Columns
Beside numerous small water courses, there are TWO
considerable streams branches Oh the Ialehatchie,
crossing the Mississippi Central Railroad at foconA
and Water Valley, respectively eighteen and twen-
y-siX miles below Aobeylle.
It might not be sale 10 approach the bridge AZ
Yocoua but If the movements have been cOnducte1
with proper secrecy, 90 not see WY tue retreie
of the Rebels could not be very materially INSTRUCTED
by sudden and vigorous operations between thas
noint and the lall4busha River at Grenada.
| These calculations are based, OF course, on tue
bvpothess that the Rebels will make Il stand at'
Ibbevlle aud that they have not anticipated the
designs of Gen. Hovey by withdrawing south OF hls
nrooosed theater Of operations There Is some fear
OF this At any rate. we accept the movement rom
Helena as one of the indications Of tue commences
ment of hostl.ies in Mississippi at an early date
battle will depend upon the Rebels. They can
bnve il before the end Of this week Ii they desire,
or they may postpone it for some little time oy q
"series oil weli-couducted retreats"