Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-10-01
The Prorress OF the war.

This great war, from its Inauguration
till now, has been marked by rapidly vary
ing fortune. Twas but yesterday, as il
were-and the Federals were in the as
cendant, the rebellion apparently erumb-
ling away before the advancing columns
Of the Union but, to-day, the rebel flag
waves triumphsntly and defsntly, and we
seem on the verge of permanently divid-
ed country. Thus, we have had months Of
victory and months Of Federal disaster
Down to last July, the rebellion had pre-
sented, during this year, amost formida-
BILE front written with bold and brilliant
achievements and then reverses fell upon
it---snd the capture of Viclxsburg, the fall
of Port Hudson, the successes in Arkan-
sas, and the retreat Of LEE from the
bloody field of Gettysburg restored the
national flag to its former prestige.
Recently, however, the aspect Of the
war has been signally changed, and again
the Confederates are jubilant in the con-
fidence Of final triumph. The hitherto
victorious army of the Cumberland has
been driven back, with terrific power,
from the desolsted field of Chicamauga,
and now, with fearful forebodings, it is
gathered, under a battle-worn standard,
behind the intrenchments OF Chattanooga
awaiting reinforcements. The depart
ment of the Gulf has been seriously dis
turbed, and the late defeat of FRANKLIN at
Sabine Pass has increased the dangers
which encumbered the army of General
BANKS, while the Confederates, in large
numbers west OF rhe Mississippi, and mass
ed in iorce on the Teche, now threaten the
dislodgement of his army from Louisiana.
The capture of Charleston has not been ef-
fected as was confidently anticipated, and
General GLMoRE announces that he can
reduce the city only by protracted seige,
requiring additional reinforcements. Gem
eral BURNSIDE, in Eastern Tennessee, is
regarded as holding an exceedingly critical
position which, without early corporation
with RosECRANs, must be abandoned.
General MEADE's advance across the Ra-
pidan, if il be made at all, will occasion
painful anxiety to the country not through
mistrust of MEADE himself so much as
from consciousness of the wondrous skill
and present strength of his opponent. We
anticipate no success in the Potomac army
at an early day. We are rather suspicious
of disaster.
Such is meagre outline of the present
situation of military affairs. AS matter
of course, the Confederates are inspired
with new hopes of National Independence,
looking confidently forward to additional
triumphs of their arms. The statements
so of,en made by the Abolition press of
decentralization and starvation of the Con
federate forces are thus completely reluted
by the daring obstinacy with which they
maintain their position and give us battle.
And, now, how much appears to have
been accomplished toward ending this
cruel war and restoring the Union? Is
the prospect more hopeful to-day than it
was two years ago ? Nearly three years
have elapsed since its Inauguration, and
yet the war, marked by numerous desper-
ately waged battles and unparalleled des-
truction of life and property, semes in the
very hey-day of lis bloody carnival. The
North and South are separated by wider
g?lf of hatred than ever and so it will
continue during the whole torn Of the Abo-
lition Administration. SO it will con-
tinue, until the Democracy are re-instated
in the Government, when the contest of
shot and shell will cease, and the more
enlightened struggle of reason shall begin,
resulting in the re-establishment of the
Union and the Constitution of our ia
theirs.
Mass Meeting at Springfield
Time Changed.
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