Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-06
OUR MILITARY BUDGET
THE

We may, this afternoon, fairly congratulate
the Stcr's readers upon our recent successes in
tn" West, which are no longer involved in
doubt. " hat is left of the iate grand army OF
Joe johnson and Bragg are probably by this
time at L Oklahoma, thrty-two miles southwest
OF N IL FREE sGoro, where it may enieavor to
make another stand, though there is every rea-
son to believe (fTonn the admissions of tn.
Richmond papers, tha; ii Is too much siIatter ID
to cf;or stubborn and pro,ract:d resistance u
RosecraDs' victorious troops. In being driven
back thirtytwo miles beyond Murfreesboro,
the rebels lose their base for successful raids
into Kentucky, which State is therefore rid Of
thcs.- Troublesome customers, John Morgan
and Forrest. This, in turn. Ioosens some thou-
sands Of valuable Union troops " no were pro-
yiously kept here, there and everywhere
Throughout the exposed section of Kentucky in
the (uatil now vain labor of putting Il stop to
II bfi incurSions. This, in itSG;f, is an import
sat gam for the cause. Then, too, l. enables
Ger. Mitchell 10 send some thousands of fresh
troops from Nashville also 10 join Rosecrans in
the pursuit, which he is evidently pushing
with commendable promptitude.
1tmCs; not fe expected that, after five days
almost continuous hard fighting, cur army can
be ia condition FOR immediate general pursuit
Experience teaches that that is an utter I'M
possibility, however Rosecrans may be rein
forced by fresh troops. That he is already
DONG much in that way, however, Is evident
In the fact that since the rebels commenced re-
treating he has captured several Of their trains
and many prisoners.
Another important element in thu state of
things there is the fact that the rivers are now
rapidly rising: thus bidding fair to afford him,
just in the nick OF time, the facilities of trans
portatiOn by water absolutely necessary to en-
eoie MIN TO advance south beyond Murfrees.
boro'.
Under these circumstances we expect TO hear
very shortly that Rosecrans has driven the
remnant OF the rebel army out of Tennessee
Into Georgia and Alabama, and has achieved
control OF their SO important railroad connec-
tions IL Eastern Tennessee, if not in Northern
itorgia and Alabama; matter of hardly less
importance 70 the Union cause at this time than
the capture OF Richmond itself
Testimony, We may safely add, is accurnu-
iating that makes feel sure OF the truth of the
news of the fall of Ficksburg, which was this
forenoon regarded by the Government as being
q fixed fact.
The importance OF these two great successes
cannot he over estimated; for, ia addItio 20 the
terrible blow TO the rebel cause IN the Quarter
where they took place they in voiye to the Con-
tederate cause, they mus serve greatly TO en-
barrass their military operations in the east
from whence it is hardly possible that they
have Yet sent troops TO the relief OF their hard
pressed co-traiters in Tennessee as was re-
Gently thought at NJ urfrees boro' and Nashville.
Unless they do so instantly. We do not perceive
how they cax hope TO attempt to offer fur her
resistance 70 the immediate reclamation Of Ten
nessee for the Union. II they do so, we do not
perceive how they can hope TO defend Charles
ton or to withstand Our great army Of the east,
II that promptly essays 10 take legitimate add
vsniase of Rosecrans success and that of our
combined feet and army in and around Mis-.
SissfpNi.