The Portland daily press., 1863-05-30
The situation in Tennessee.

With the fall of vicksburg, which, though
not accomplished, may yet be regarded as GER
tain, so far as any event subject TO the chances
of war Is certain, the campaign in Mississippi
ends. 1t is, of course, impossible to say at
what point the interest of the war will next
converge; but it is plain to all eyes that the
Department of the Cumberland will naturally
become the scene of important operations.
The operations in thakdepartment look to the
occupation of Eastern Tennessee. The line
of the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad
once held in force would be worth more to us
than the Mississippi. There is little doubt
now, that two years ago the promptings of
sympathy for the Unionists of that region and
the soundest principles of strategy were in
perfect harmony. A strong column should
have been pushed forward to Knoxville at the
earliest possible opportunity.
Whatever combinations may be made to
carry this position, the army under Rosecrans
will play an important part in the campaign.
The latest advices from Murfreesboro indicate
that Rosecrans is very strongly posted. If
the waning fortunes of the rebellion should
require general offensive movement, such as
the Richmond journals have recently advocat-
ed, he could desire nothing better. On the
other hand, if he is compelled to assume the
offensive, he will find Bridgeport, where the
Nashville and Chattanooga railroad crosses
the Tennessee river, and Chattanooga itself
strongly fortified Bragg lies at Tullahoma
with an army of $1,000 men, As 900 infantry
and 5000 cavalry. Gen. Rosecrans' force, of
course, is not stated. 1t was reported last
Sunday that Bragg was falling back all along
his line.
In the military aspect of affairs in this de-
partment there is certainly nothing discourag-
ing. The political aspect is full of encourage
ment. The Confederate hold upon Tennessee
is of the weakest. Open and violent opposi-
ton to the Confederate authority is matter
of everyday occurrence. The mountains are
full Of refugees. Thursday of last week one
band drove off considerable force sent to
arrest them at Altamont. About the first of
of the month fight occurred in Fentress
county, in which company Of rebel soldiers
was beaten off by Unionists with loss of
nineteen killed, including the captain, and two
wounded. About hundred deserters from
Bragg's army took refuge in Cherokee coun-
ty, Alabama, lately, and repulsed with heavy
loss detachment of Texas Rangers sent to
apprehend them. Gen. Dodge has been over
run with fugitives from Northern Alabama.
At Shelbyville, whittier Gen. Bragg is said to
be retiring, the people raised a Union flag last
fourth of July. -
In Georgia the Confederate case is no better.
The Savannah Republican of the 18th instant
says seven or eight thousand Yankees are
marching on Rome. The Nashville Union of
the 10Th publishes the statement of a Union
man lately escaped from Georgia. He AYERS
that Unionists are numerous in the northern
counties of that State, and that they hold
weekly meetings for mutual advice. Many
deserters and recusant conscripts are lurking
in the mountains and woods, leading precari-
GUS life, rifle in hand, and prompt to take ven
geance on their pursuers. Letters from
officers sent out to hunt this dangerous game
are occasionally published in Southern news
papers. The general WEAKNESS of the war
and distrust of its fomentors, of which some
signs were visible year ago. has widened and
deepened, made itself manifest in thousand
ways, till it is established beyond doubt that
the Union party South, to which we must look
for cooperation in the re-establshment of
perfect Union, exists.
Col. Grierson is right. The rebellion is
what he called it after his gallant ride through
: the heart of Mississippi-a mere shell. That
shell must he crushed Let us have no half
way measures now, but an energy worthy of
the opportunity.