Daily national Republican., 1863-02-25
WHERE THE REHELs EXPECT TO FIGHT.

From the Richmond Examiner, Feb. 10.
The enemy threatens attack on three points,
Vlcksburg, TullAhoms and Charleston. The
first is not now In danger. The preparations
at Vicksburg are thought ample, tho position Is
one Of tho strongest, and probably Il will not
be attacked until the fate Of the armies in Ten
nessee Is decided. If RosecTans can beat is in
Tennessee, his army will sweep down the Mis-
slssippi and take Vicksburg In tho rear
great battle will be shortly fought in Tennessee
which will do much It decide the war in the
West But at the present monument the whole
Of that important scene is forgotten in the ab-
sorbing interest felt In the moro immediate
menace of Charleston and Savannah. The
hour is struck, the day Is como when the destiny
of those famous cities Of the South is 10 be for
ever decided. The magazines, the arsenals and
workshops Of q chief among mAratlme and in
dustrial nations have for year been taxed in
their uttermost resource, to prepare the most
perfect and gigantic engine Of destruction that
ever burdened the waters of the Atlantic.
The vast armada has been collected with the
deliberation OF absolute security in the capa-
cious harbor Of Port Royal. A land force-we
know not how large, but probably comprising
the most effective portions Of the army lately
under Burnside-has gone to cooperate in the
supreme effort to take and hang those two Nor
decais that sit at the gates Of the ocean, and
offend the Hamans of New York and Boston.
Against the city of Charleston the entire North
ern people entertain a sentiment OF perfect
hatred. II was the cradle Of the revolution.
1t will be the New York Of the South when the
revolution is triumphant. Years before the
revolution was begun II was the recognized
capital and centre Of resistance TO Northern in
huence, insolence and encroachment. II defied
the armed power Of tho United States long be-
fore Sumter was bombarded. If II iB In the
force ofcannon or ships to batter down Charles
ton, We may be well assured that not one stone
will shortly rest on another.
Tho destruction Of that city would cause
burst Of malignant joy throughout the Northern
States which no words are adequate To express
or describe But that this odious qualification
is within their reach, we cannot at present be-
lieve. Prom the beginning, the Government
has been fully aware OF tho intentions Of the
enemy in this mat er. II has for two years en-
ployed Its Ablest generals in preparing the
means Of resistance. Lee and Beauregard are
| considered the most competent engineer and
artillery officers on the American continent.
They have both done for Charleston all that
/ their science aud genius could suggest. The
| city may now with reason be considered lmpTeg.
| nAble. II the Northern armies attack as Gen.
Beauregard apprehonds, 1t will probably be re-
pulsed with great loss Of men and ships, aftel
an expenditure Of shot and powder which will
place the affair In the same chapter Of history
| with tho bombardments Of Gibraltar and Sebas
topol.
It Is generally supposed that the NortheIr
feet will recoil from Charleston and throw al
Its power on Savannah. As 1t is a place Of
much inferior importance to tho confederacy
In every point Of view, 1t iS believed to be muci
Iess strongly fortified. The Yankee gunboatI
have already tried it, and their commander
fancy that they are equal to the task of It's re
1 duction. II they succeed In doing so the Nortl
will conceal modification for the ddSeo o
Charleston by forced eXultation over a barreI
victory. Let US hope that the labor and tim
Of preparation which has been more than al
that the friends Of either city could desire, will
now bring forth the fruits of glorious and sue
Cesaful defence.