The New York herald., 1863-10-29

III
with an easy market to control prices. Both exports
and imports present quite light though the latter
continue to be 10 excess Of the former does seem
that with our Immense surplusagc OF provisions and
brcadstuds we might, in these insurrectiouary times
manage to make hand wash the other far as the
balance OF trade is concerned. The depression OF the
freight market is OF the notable features in
commercial circles, what ia to be done with the i'm
surplus tonnage in port seems to be a problem
not readily solved
The War in the Southwest-A Fine Ouen-
ing for Another Griersom or stone nm
Expedition.
While the opinion prevails on both sides that
the two hostile armies in Virginia will 60 into
winter quarters without any further active cam
pagning OF any consequence, we Judge from
the recent lively operations in the Southwest
that still greater events are impending in that
quarter, Notwithstanding the near approach Of
tie winter season. We think it altogether
probable that in the interval to New Years
day great battle or a series of secondary en-
gagements, equivalent in their general results
to great battle. will come off in Tennessee and
Southwestern Virginia. Or along the northern
border Of Georgia and Alabama.
AS we understand it, the important field of
operations assigned to General Grant embraces
the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia.
Alabama and Mississippi, including also those
portions Of Virginia and North Carolina
which hinge upon East Tennessee. The pivot
upon which all the military operations over
this extensive area must now turn is
the army Of General Thomas at Chattanooga.
1t occupies the heart Of the enemys country-a
position which the rebels confess is of greater
importance to their cause, as it now stands,
than the Atlantic seacoast or the city of Rich
mond. In holding Chattanooga and East Ten
nessee, we hold the wheat sheep and cattle
| producing districts, and the saltpetre caves and
salt works upon which the army Of Bragg and
the people Of Georgia and the neighborng
States are, to great extent, depending for their
winter supplies of food, clothing, salt and gun
powder. The rebels, too, very we'll understand
that il our army be not speedily dislodged from
Chattanooga, and driven back at least to MUIR
freesboro, it will be apt to hold its present
position till ready to descend again into the
plains Of Georgia; that, in word, our occupa-
ton of Chattanooga during the winter will be
followed by more terrible blow in the spring
to the "confederacy" than that of Fort Donel-
| son, New Orleans or Vicksburg
| Hence the urgent necessity to JEFF. Davis to
break through the tightening and suhocating
coils of the anaconda at Chattanooga Hence
the desperate efforts of Bragg to cut of Gen.
Thomas from his base Of supplies and to cut
| up his trains on the roads from Nashville, and
to flank him and the supporting army Of Gene
raj Burnside on the east. In all these attempts
the rebels, though partially successful in the
outset, have been completely repulsed-on the
west, across the Tennessee river, and on the
ginia. But still their desperate situation will
compel them to persevere in their efforts to re
cover Chattanooga and the invaluable country
and its supplies Of East and Middle Tennessee
Rebel deserters report the despatch of severa
divisions by Bragg eastward, as II for 6anl
movement OF a formidable character In tha
direction; but we apprehend that this is rus'
to cover the march Of the bulk Of Bragg's arm,
to the rear OF Thomas on the Nashville Rail
! road In any event we have the fullest conf
dencs in the vigilance skill and strength q
Thomas, and in the general combinations {
Crs,t.
t The lat: s,,,c.s npon Corinth by the enem!
$ which was so handsonlei, .repglsed sy Gen. =
u terhaus, had for its object IA iifcs>' upon u
communications Of Gen. Thomas, althe> Vn "
rinth is over two hundred miles west Of Cha. '
nooga' At the came. time the main object of Gen
, Lees late advance in Virginia was doubtless
, diversion in support of Bragg in Georgia. W,
foresee, too, that the late advance upon an,
capture Of Canton, in Central Mississippi. b,
J General Mcpherson. was a movement in sun
port Of General Thomas. although five hundre,
miles away. In brief, we may safely conclud,
that all the movements Of our various arm,
columns and detachments In Tennessee, Mis-
sissippi, Alabama aud Georgia. Under the su
: preme direction Of General Grant, are now an,
3 will be in support Of the main army at Chatta
nooss and its comprehensive designs.
The battle Of Chickamaugs has develope,