Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-29
The South Carolina Coast.

Hints thrown in the latest pap rs from the North
should put US on guard at all points, and especially
with IcSoec! TO the coast of South Carolina. We are
assured by the enemy that the armstcs imposed upon
Meade By the tenacious mui of Virginia will be com
pensated by activity in other quarters Can ~ an
East Tenn essee or Northwestern Georgian Scarcely
for in these mountainous and austere regions the force
of the elements and obstacles to transportation will be
felt even more severely than in Northern Virginia.
Mobile, the Sou.hsrn coast and Northern border Of
Texas, are the only other poiats where winter cam
paigu would promise success. But neither Of these
points holds out such inducements to the foe the coast
of South Oarora with its mild climate and ts abund ant
water eoures sRordDg ample play for their fleets and
tranFports With water base at his lack Gilmore
G:aIt would be able if sufficiently reinforced to play
Bsaurcgard the trick that was played on Pember-
ton at Ora d Gulf B.Auregard would not be caught
mapping, but numbers might compel him TO yield what
neither hi, strength Lis vigilance could secure
Grant has tofo up the railroads, that he cannot If
he would push his heavy columns u9on Atlanta or into
the interior of Asbams. His sudden retreat from
Ringeod, c.up,ed with his destruction of railways,
sh owed that he had in view plan which was in
tended to IuzIe the rebels until he was prepared to
strike But long head watching him from Charles.
ton and more than fortnight ago had solved his riddle
and made ready for his reception Ayerrs bold raid
on the Virginia and Tennessee read had something be-
hind IL al that trouble and exposure was not taken
merely for the honor and glory Of the destruction of
few bags of corn. TIE Baltimore and Ohio road has
been at work, aud Shtrnan was in Louisville week
ago Many transports have passed Wilmington, going
Southwark The signs on Beaufort Island indicate the
arrival of large achievements All these things point
but one way.
The Commanding General at Charleston is wide awake,
and We have reason 10 behave that authorities
also in state of great vigilance. They will lot be
too late this time or if they are, will not be for the
want OF timely notification of the enemys designs They
know that while the coast of South Carolina is quite
accessible to the enemy, i, at the time far
defensbe than the upper country, and they will not care
essly throw away the advantages which the sWamps,
Marshes thickets and forests aRyrd The supplies
obtained on the coast inconsidersble item and
the importance OF the Charleston and Savannah road
cannot well be oVerestm.:ed if Charleston il to be held.
winter campaign on the South Carolina coat seems
now settled fact, to which the Government should
ADDRESS itself With proper energy, if it would save not
Only Charleston, bu Atlanta WELL Beaufort il much
better base for operations sgAns OepOts and asenaI
in Georgia than Nashville, and great army interpoSed
between Beauregsrd and Johnston would be an ugly
circumstance for both. Il Charleston were held Savan
nah would fall and if Johnston attempted to reecue the
latter, A lAaia would be in danger from the Yankee
army to be hurled out of East Tennessee next spring
Let the enemy get fOothod the maio they will re
tain it; for the coast is defensibe way the
other. That coas! should be held by the Confederate
ct all hazards. And why not Correspondents ASSURE
US that Bragg slate army has gone into winter quar-
ters. Shall that army waite winter in dleness and
the of South Carolina be abandoned for the want
o. few thousand INFANCY, which might have been OBJ
tanned a. any time within two days alter the order was
issuedi We trust not.