Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-01-16
The Winter Campaign.


/ The Army of the Potomac seems to
have dropped out of the public notice ex-
cept by few spectators on change in
its command. A fortnight ago it was as
kserted that the army was going into win
ter quarters, and that a prominent officer
had resigned his command because his
health would not enable him to endure
| tie proposed change. But equally con-
fiaent representations to the contrary
have since been made, and now the mat
ter stands apparently as heretofore. But
ifthe army does not 60 into winter quar-
ters, what will it do ? 1t is asserted that
Gen. Burnside is anxious for immediate
activity, and that he has, indeed, planned
che or two preliminary movements which
have been stopped by orders from Wash.
ngton. But without crediting any of
these precise rumors, in the shape in
which they come, it may be regarded as
luite probable that the Army of the Po-
pmac will wait to have its movements
nhuenced, in some degree, by the turn of
he winter campaign elsewhere.
The West is now being contended for
ID earnest, and the question is to be now
ought out. The first stage of the strug-
de was the battle of Murfreesboro, and
rbsulted in the discontinue of the rebels.
The boldness, tenacity and fighting skill
f Rosecrans could not be too highly
praised, if his work were completed, and
il such man stood in any need of praise,
But having done well so far, we imagine
be will push on just as fast as his circum-
stances will allow. AS he has driven
Bragg out of as strong a position as he
can find anywhere in that section, the
latter must run when Rosecrans comes
up again, and thus abandon Chattanooga,
The key of East Tennessee, which is it.
self the key to the Southern Confedera-
cy, or else he must be powerfully rein
forced. But where can his reinforce
ments come from When this question
is settled, as it will be very soon, the
course of the Army of the Potomac may
be cleared up.
AS it is now, the rebel forces, having
undergone rapid concentration, are
nassed mainly on the Rappahannock,
with Bragg, and at Vicksburg,-leaying
but respectable garrisonng for
,es at Charleston and Mobile. Bragg
las failed in his offensive enterprise, and
S glad to get away with a net loss of
bout 10000 men. The force at Vicks-
)urg, we will assume, hold their ground
Is yet. Now, throwing the opposing ar
MES on the Rappahaunock out of ac-
'ount for the moment, it will be seen
hat, either side unaided, Bosecrans is
4ble TO take care of Bragg that Sher-
mans, Banks and Farragut's forces
as they will be, will certainly
apture Vicksburg, if not the army in it;
nd then, that Grant, with bis splendid
orce, remains absolutely without an an
agonist. Such is the position at the
Southwest. The rebels, with their rail-
Dads can make their combinations quick
r than our officers, aud they must do it.
If Bragg goes to Vicksburg, then Gen.
sosecrans will take East Tennessee, and
S the Richmond paper says, 100000
len will not be able to dislodge him.
len. Grant, in that case, will also move
pom Memphis, and will more than
ounterbalance Bragg. But if Bragg IS
enforced from Richmond, (fer no men |
IN be spared from Vicks5urg or from |
harleston just at this time,) then Gen. ]
.osecrans will be reinforced by General q
rant, and the route to Richmond will
. opened to Burnside. !
These suppositions are based on the ;,
ertness of our generals in gaining in
rmation and in profting by it. But of }
e supesiority of our position and of our \
lmbers for the remainder of the winter o
Impaign, we have not the least doubt. ),
nd, as will have been seen, this position :,
now such as TO allow The army of the
otomac to wait a short time without IL
y disadvantage to the case. "
~ III woman does not sneak her co. "