The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-22

are attempting to make q retreat by
feigning an attack.
-=-~----.- s-a-------l-l--i-. y
The occupation of the Memphis and
Charleston RAILROAD, at Tuscumbia, Ala
bama, by our forces, is highly import
ant achievement, at the present time.
We have strong reasons for believing that
the reinforcement Of tho rebel army, at
Tullahoms, from Vicksubrg, if attempted,
will amount to nothing, as Gen, GRANT is
perhaps already beginning to throw a
heavy force in the rear or fank.a The
impending contest is one Of fearful mag
nitude IL will be the greatest probably
ever yet waged in the Southwest but
while feeling most deep and painful
intereat in its progress, We cannot feel
doubtful as TO the result. We believe
our tried, brave, determined, and heroic
soldiers Unanswered by such officers as
RosEoEAHs, and GRANT, and such ,coad-
tutors as Thomas, CEITTESDEN. STANLEY,
Rousseau, SHERMAN, and others, will
prove themselves abundantly able to
maintain the safety and fame oil
the Repnblie in the approaching, fear
full shocl. We arc sure that our forces
were never in such fighting condition
before, The infamous attacks made upon
the Administration by a faction Of NAL
contents at shome, and the insidious
schemes laid to demoralize them have
only served to educate our soldiers TO o
loftier standard Of patriotism. This is
the hour Of our country's martyrdom
and, thank God, the flames of treason,
anarchy, and faction, which would con-
sumo our freedom and our homes / ,ashes,
not only in this unhappy section, but
North. of the Ohio river, have found
martyrs who are eager 10 walk through
the flaming and dreadful ordeal. IL is a
noble Army Of Martyrs, whose hymn 10
freedom is now sounding on every wing
cd wind over the earth. May Heaven
protect them in the hour Of the coming
battle. Never was cause so noble
committed 70 an army before. II
the army which bears into battle the flag
Of our country be finally defeated, and
the black FLAG Of despotism and negro
slavery, borne by outlaws whose faich-
word is the very "banner- cry of hell"
shall eventually triumph, a shadow deep
as the night Of death win vail the hopes
of all humanity. 1t will be as though
the sun were stricken from its orbit, and
every lovely and beautiful thing in earth
and seas, and sky had persisted.
We believe cur officers and soldiers ap-
preciate the moral aspects Of the great
contest, something far higher and purer
than mere physical courage animates
them, They do not mean to let the Gag Of
freedom traiiih the dusi, while the tag.
ments and scattered cohorts OF the Re.
public ny ignominiously from tho field,
to tell ahs twenty millions Of the North
west, thai their country is dead,
their nationality and honor lost,
and that they must prepare TO
plead with the approaching conqueror
from Richmond, surrounded by his body
guard OF slave traders, cotton lords, re-
pudiatOrs, perjured priests, and renegade
Yankee oyerseers, for mercy, Our eiti.
zen soldiers win think, also, as they 70
into battle, not only of themselves, but
Of their posterity. There are degrees in
cowardice as in other crimes. or all
eowArdly wreiches, that American seems
ODE the greatest, who would consent TO see
that Government destroyed, which is his
glorious heritage and which should be
the heritage Of his children, How I'M
H''ersbly base is that father who would
s'l' has children into bondage