New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-29
THE AR,ry OF TIE CUMBERLAND.
4 Eoutbern Movement BY SrssS's Army
Roseerzas Preparing 10 StTike-The
Situation,

FROM Oar Spoc la Corni 9Ondent. ,.,,,-,
NrgyAE lsBoao, Tenn, May 49, Is J.
All The numerous arrivals Of loyal refugees from
the vicinity Of sbelbyvic during tue week just closed
bring reports courmaioiy Of those OF our scouts that
a southern movement Of portion OF BIagg's army
h.s taken and il slil taLiUg place. Various hgures
are given by the same incrmans IS representing tie
number Of tie detached force but the belief appears
10 prevail at headquarters that i consists only OF
few brigades, and has uot very much impaired tue
defensive strength Of shs army IN froni OF us
sin. there seen,s 10 be general conviction sroug
tto.e that guide The fortunes Of this army thss there s
now, in the face Of tie inspiring 6oldnoso, wonder
full energy and apparent Successes OF Gen.
Grants operations in Missi-sippi, II not a good or
por,unity, at least strong moral impulse, bordering
slmos; upon necessity, for offensive demonstrations
against Bragg army. have reason TO believe
lat, even without tie stirring influence Of the news
received last night of the capture of part OF the I'M
mediate dcisnses OF VickSburg and the defeat of
Pemberton and the general esgerress excited By 1t
among officers aud men throughout the army Tor
ryal triumphs, many more d., Woaid not nave
elapsed wi bout strong pressure on ne rar' Oh
Gen. Rosecfdns upon las adversary, N odeT 10 pre-
vent additional drafts upon tie latter iolces Tor eI
ploymeut sgaiusl Grani il not 10 b1ng Z general
struggle decisive Of the question Of tue occupn
of Tennes-ee At this moment the enthusiasm OF
the army il deeply arOnsed and Il seems 10 ieei IN
duiy bound 10 s.rike Immediate blows rpon Tie en-
emy Its expectation Will hardly be d.sapi oned by
Gea. Rosecrans.
However. cor ffencs IL not mtg ot suoo A..
IL is AL undrulabiu !Act that the enemy even
though really how Interior 10 US IN poitt OF nun
brrs owing 90 the recuorcenents sent 10 Mississippi
will be- very formidable, # able TO cope VIII us rlon
a chosen line Of defense. The present distribution
OF Bags forces il such that We cannot possibly
expect to meet them In case Of All advance Oh our
part ~ any point except ~ main force ara IN post
lions strong naturally, well an IN all probability
artiiciaily strong. furthermore, our advance ill.,
wolves an EXTENSION oil our lines Of communication,
and consequent increase Of the Numbers required o
their protection at tho expense of TIE force available
Tor offensive operations Even a retreat OF tHs en-
envy TO the Alabama and Georgia line would De-
more of al advantage them than ~ us By bringing
them nearer 10 their base and drawing Us iuftAtr
from ours into country stripped Of what litsle IL
naturally produces during the present Rebel ocou-
patton.
Nevertheless. it is evident that these drawbacks
10 offensive operations BY army cannot well be
expected to be removed by time or continuation OF
defensive attitude. They would probably be the
same In September now. Gen. kosecIa1s knows
very well thai lines Of communication are best ron
dered secure BY driving the enemy beyond marching
distance from them AND that cavalry demonstrations
to the rear can only be effectively prevented by
counter raids, and will net accordingly.
Runors TO the contrary nOtwlth- tanding, Bregy
occupies substantially the same front he las held
since the battle Of Stones River. IL is not improba
bic however, If Grant has been as success ui Us re-
ported, mat the strategic lines Of the elemy Ia the
West will undergo a complete change.