The New York herald., 1863-10-25
The Mission of Jer. Davis I'm GeSrgia--
Lee's Late Movements I'm support n
Bragg.

The Mission of Jeff. Davis tn Georgia.
Lee's Late Movements I'm support n
Bragg.
From the congratulatory address of JEFF
Davis to his soldiers of Chickamauga, the world
is informed that on the 18th inst. he was at the
headquarters" of Bragg's army From the
Richmond journals, however, we discover that
this visit of the rebel head chief was not limited
to a stump speech; for it appears that the re-
doubtable Bishop General Polk has been super
seded by Longstreet, and that D. H. Hill has
been supplanted by Brecknridge. Hill and
Polk on the rebel side, in the late struggle,
have thus shared the fate of McCook and Crit
tenden on our side. Our two unfortunates, 1t
is charged, ran away when they should have
stood their ground; and the rebel two, it is
broadly limited, were standing still when they
should have been helping the routed columns
of Longstreet. 1t is further rumored that as
General Thomas, for his admirable bravery
and military abilities in the late battle, has
been promoted to the place of Rosecrans, 80 it
! is probable that Longstreet, from similar con-
siderations, will step into the shoes Of Bragg
| These military changes, however effected
| and expected, are but incidental to the great
object of this mission of Davis to Georgia.
His cause and his fortunes are staked upon
Bragg's army, or, as he suggestively styles 1t,
"the Army of Tennessee" He says to the SOL
diers of that army :-"Defenders of the heart of
our territory, your movements have been an
object of interest, anxiety and hope. Our
cause depends on you" In these five words
"our cause depends on you've have the
confession that a decisive defeat of Braggs
army will indeed be death blow to the rebel
lion. The late Chattanooga Rebel, now pub
lished in Georgia, earnestly contends that the
recent battle, resulting in the maintenance Of
his position at Chattanooga by Rosecrans, Sc
cures to him the great advantages of sub
stantial victory. The Rebel editor, warming
up with his subject, argues that if our army be
not speedily dislodged the worst consequences
may be feared for as sure "as there is any surety
in the future the spring of '64 must see us far
from the borders of Georgia northward or near
to the verge of destruction" "Food and raj
ment," he continues, ''are our needs. We must
have them. Kentucky and Middle Tennessee
can only supply them. Better give up the sea-
coast; better give up the Southwest; aye, better
give up Richmond without struggle, and win
these food and raiment) than to lose the
golden fields whose grain and wool are our
sole hope"
This oracle speaks from experience and posi-
tive knowledge, and as one speaking by autho-
rity. He pleads that Bragg's late victory
amounts to nothing; that the reoccupation Of
Tennessee and Kentucky has become the one
paramount and vital necessity to the rebellion,
more important to the cause than the seacoast
or the capital Of the confederacy-its facso-
ries, foundrics, mills, magazines, public ar
chives, rebel scrip and all. These are
doubtless the Inspirations and tho cuuviotions
Of Davis; and his mission to Georgia, therefore,
is the concentration of all his available forces
from every quarter, and Of every description,
for speedy and overwhelming descent upon
Gen. Thomas at Chattanooga. In this connec-
tion we incline to the opinion that In pushing
Gen. Meade's army back to Manassas Junction,
and in utterly destroying the railroad between
that point and the Rapidan some forty or 6fty
miles, Gen. Lee has gained the opportunity de-
sired Of sending of one-half bis remaining army
to the support of Bragg. Why not 1t is esti-
mated that month will be required to repair
this broken railroad, and that without
1t General Meade cannot move his army
| over the desolated country before him. But
at the end Of another month the
blockade of Virginia winter will be upon
him, and thus even now Lee may consider
Richmond secure till spring, and he may
accordingly detail twenty, thirty or forty
thousand men to the support Of Bragg without
further apprehension from Meade.
But here we are constrained again to put
these questions to our War Office:-Is there no
other road to Richmond than that by way of
Culpepper or Fredericksburg! Have we no
choice but an utterly destitute country in
the matter Of food for man or beast, and
full Of natural obstacles and dangers to an
invading armyf Have the James and York
rivers ceased to be navigablei Is 1t i'm
possible to cut the railways in North Caro-
lina which connect the army Of lee with
the army Of Bragg7 Is the grand Army OF the
Potomac henceforth to remain idle till spring
because Of the destruction Of the Orange Rail-
road! Our impression is, that from November
till February is the most favorable season for
military operations on the Richmond PENN
sula; for those low grounds are not only free
from malaria during this period, but are often
so hardened by the frost az to be passable for
artillery where they are impossible, except by
bridges, all through the summer. In every
view OF the subject, Il Is to be hoped that II the
Army Of the Potomac cannot now advance
overland by way Of Culpepper 1t will be per.
mitted 70 make at least q powerful diversion
up the Richmond peninsula, or on the south
side in support Of our army st Chattanooga.
The next thing In importance to the defeat Of
Lee is the detention Of bis army for the de-
fence Of Richmond.
UNION PRlsoNERs At RIcHMoNp.-During