Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-02-28
The Chicago Tribune thus sums up the ad.
vantages accruing from the late victories in
the southwest


The Chicago Tribune thus sums up the ad-
vantages accruing from the late victories in
the southwest
"The Tennessee river, now open to Muscle Shoals will
enable our Generals TO throw column in northern Ala
bama, where clieyed that considerable portion Of
the people will gladly take shelter under the folds OF the
dear old fog
The fall Of Doncson opens the Cumberland TO our
gunhoats the capital Of Tennessee, aud indeed clear
up that river Mill Springs the late camp Of Ioiooers
force It not likely that any serious resistance will be
offered 10 the advance Of victorious cgons either at
Clarksve Nashville The threat Of the rebel leaders
that they would burn the latter ely on the approach Of
the Federals will hardly be carried into execution Such
ofvandasm would rctatd the progress Of
cunquerug cohorts aud would tend TO madden and arouse
the Union men Of that State to wage war OF extermna-
on against the rebel oppressors and ncendares There
is nothing but the bad state Of the roads to prevent Buell.
from throwing strong column into loyal Knoxville with
in week, and rail- ying about the Stars and Stripes the
loyal ana sorey prosecuted mounaineers OF me Swtzer-
land Of America. II is believed that 10000 Of the non
sayehodng ncghhors aud fends " Andy johnson will
turn out and help expc the secessonsts from East
This country once Ia hands, all communi-
cation between Richmond and the Southwest Is cut off.
IL is like tapping the uguar vein 70 seize that great
terry u rebel communication.
From Knoxville the road open and inviting into North
Carolina The western portions Of that State contain
population cursed with the presence " but few slaves
and consequently comparatively loyal in sentiment. A
column Of Buolfs army moving eastwardly would not
have far TO march TO form junction with Bunside's
troops advancing into the interior 81 the odd North
State thereby isolang the rebel Nrgnans from other
PARTS of Secessa and obging them 20 submit 10 the Ma
honal authority, however reluctantly The force the
Potomac ought make short work Of the resistance the
Virginia rebels could offer
Columbus, II not evacuated, will be the panic
stricken aud demoralzed garrison be brought mp
70 the scratch The first glimpse they get Of Commodore
Foote's gunboats will be their signal Tor precptate flight
Once n possession Of that position aud the Is clear
TO Memphis That city Is wholly indcfcnsble against
combined land and water assault and do not believe
that the rebels will make stand there. They will sur.
render it without struggle. few days hence will hnd
national emblem waving 10. Then get into the
cotton region The hoccuent fibre is produced in prolific
abundance in the surrounding county Large shipments
Of cotton purchased and eondscated will shortly be
pressing norihward on the Illinois Central road and
eastwan mp the Ohio making its way TO facio
ries In New England.
Thus, with the capture Of Fort Doncson hy our brave
Western soldiers, Tennessee falls ike ripe pear int
the lap Of the Union.
But the fruits Of this important victory all gath
cred when Tennessee is restored to the Union. The IA
ther Of waters stops not in bis at Memphis but
flows with increasing volume to the Gulf That great
national highway be traycrsed by the gunboat Acct
to New Orleans There forts on his hanks thai
can impede the decent Of Foote's fleets. The big uorar
can easily silence any batteries the rebels have planto,
hcwecd Memphis and the Balze land force Of 80 O0C
men may be spared nom our Western armies accom-
pany the grand expedition and take possession Of th,
heds lo"ed by the morars, and clear away any remain
ing distractions"