Smyrna times., 1863-01-01
The Military Prospect at the Close of
the Year

~ very oflillant, at least on the surface.
It's last month, we have suffered our sevc
est repulse, and the old Army of the Pot
= mec Is, as at this season last year, checkc
by IN the advance upon Richmond by a powe
0' flll foe III front. Our army operating i'll til
rear OF Richmond, too, under Gen Foster
y has just made retrograde movement
lv Along the line of the Sea-coast and the GU
all that can be said is, that nothing now i
rs less cheerful than things were in the Spring
1t We have gained but little there during th
IS Summer and Fall, and the small operation
that have taken place, though they ma,
have annoyed the rebels, have resulted i,
very little permanent gain to the Unior
= cause. In the Western field where nearly
malt our entire army is scattered, the pros
pect TOR the opening year is not very cheer
tul. The army of Gen. RosecranS seems ia
be utterly paralyzel at Nashville, and its
advance into East Tennessee is now checked
by the largest army which the rebels have
ever had iii that State. The army of Gen
Grant, in Northern Mississippi, is virtually
cut OFT from its base Of supplies, and the
rebels, as appears from accounts we now
daily publish, are operating with au,lacity
on every side of him. The Mississippi
River is still closed against us. and though
1t is to be hoped that the military and naval
expedition now preparing to open it up vii:
be successful, yet it is liable to all the
chances and hazards of war.
This glance at the aspect of affairs in tbe
East and West shows a very different state
OF things from what we had all expected to
See at the close Of the year 1t gives force
and point to the remark of that experienced
soldier and sagacious military spcculatar
Napier, that . it may at all times be taken
As a maxim, that the difficulties Of war are
SO nnumera5lc that no head was ever VT
strong enough to for9calculatc them ALL"
And yet even in face of the apparently
diSeoura9lng facts We have narrated. wha.
grounds OF encouragement appear III
lIoSecrans has not yet advanced to Kp,x-
vile, he holds firmly with his splendid army
the Oapital OF the great rebel State Tennr,
see the capture Of which at this time Inst
Year seemed to many Of us homeless ta.,
II the army of Grant has not vet sw.,a
down to the Cuff, he is very near the C,pi.
tai 0; State bordering on the Ga}f rtL.
mississippi lS not yet unlocked, the kew t,
open II Is at least forged and if i, b.. no,
opened by New Years day. we feel sur.
enough, though we would not er. o.,,;,,.,
N"PirrS aPophth"gn by fprcra!cula.inl x,,,
'.'SS' that the FREE navigation otthc gr.a,
RIVER VIII be the first gift OF the New Year
[" the nation. The work in the Soutbwc,,
IS yet very considerable, but il i, NOT on,.-
quarter OF what it was at this time last wear
ne same may be said Of the entire Soutb-
Irn coast line, Mark on man how w.. Ii
''oo' there at the close of l,.st year, and t
no" we stand there now, and see tb,. {
cncOuragments from Norfolk +, t
.i;.,vc>ton.
lhere is nothing to dishertcn us in Nir- /
5in;a. Our army is not in Richmond. but :, f
Hn@le battle may put it there The Scottish i
niltaIn had fought many Unsuccessful b,i r
les Tor the independence Of his native land +
Fhen he was taught by the spider that sue il
'eNS ny IN perseverance, and his pcrScycr {
nee resulted in success. The score Of .,rcar t
'attIeS we have fought for the possession 9, G
ne rebel capital, and i'll every one of them t
Xccpt the first, there has been 4 steady f;
'ro9rcSS toward success Could we pierce y
he veIl OF the future, We might see that II
'hiic some are discouraged, they wer,. dis
outraged just as glorious and final victory
vas about to burst upon the country. L
Our great hope is in the vitality that ap- \
ears SO cheeringly in our main army
Notwithstanding the Tremendous work. th.
Unparalleled campaignings, the heroic struu- Z
''eS' which the veteran Army Of tn. Poto- II
nac mas gone through during the last six la
nohths' all accounts represent it as now o
osSeSsed OF greater elements of vitality @
more untiinching courage, more determined !, :,
I'd warlIke spirit, than ut ony period since Ia
IS organization. There is no discourage l.
lent there The gallant men who. on our $;
ehalf' have so often met and fought the u
'es OF the Union, feel no doubt of their >, .,
over to overcome them. They dcmord h,
ow' what they have ever demanded. to be
% against them again and again, confident
nat they will succumb at last. Uuder sucb ii
circumstances, the only encouragement is 70
lat any man in peaceful life should be at all \, n
ls;ouragcd. nr
Military Arrests in Delaware. an
Once the opening OF Congress Senator in