American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-02
Importance of the Mississippi Valley.

From the Correspondence Of the Mobile Register ]
MuRFREEsBoRo'. Dec. II. 1869.
do not think that there is any appre-
hension of Rosecranz being reinforced by
any considerable number of troops Ii
is evident that the main portion of Buell. 5
army was sent to Memphis to reinforce
Grants corps, and indeed IL would now
seem that the Abolitionists had deter
mined to suspend their operations in
Tennessee until they shall effect their
grand demonstration for the possession
of Mississippi. This is their great STRAIT
egical point of perations. being of para
mount interest and importance TO them at
this time with even the capture of Rich
mond Their undispuled occupation of
Mississippi not only opens to them the
river, but also must give them the right
of way TO Louisiana and Alabama. In
this theysare playing double game for
our cotton AS we'll as negroes. Taking
this view of the matter. as well as look
ing TO the disastrous results which would
follow the success of the enemy In Mis-
sissippi. il is clear to my mind that the
heart Of the Confederacy should be sue
cessfuIly defended, even at the sacrifice
of Richmond. and. if necessary. the aban-
donment of Virginia For by the fall of
Mississippi we should not only lose North
L louisiana aud the Mississippi river. but
give them the chance aso of marching
upon Mobile and taking your city in the
rear as well as opening to them the
roads to Montgomery and Atlanta, Geor
gia. Such success would not only be
utterly ruinous to US. but would cut of
Virginia entirely from the South. and
therefore render tha, State entirely USE
less to us.
1t has often been asked whether Pres
ident Davis conducts the moves on this
great chess board of war. or not One
would suppose. from the fact that he only
employs clerk as Secretary of War, TO
move his pieces, that lie did. But | am
assured, upon high authority. that in re-
gard TO the commands of the various de-
partments. he but gives his views to the
commander, leaving him untrammeled TO
exercise bis own judgment. but holding
him responsible for the results. We
have now arrived at the most critical
point in the game of this revolution,
when to secure success We must concen-
trate all our forces so as TO resist the
main attack 10 preventing checkmate.
An oversight at this time. If it should not
lose US the game. would jeopardize the
heart of the cotton States TO such an ex
tent as to produce incalculable calamties.
besides prolongIng the war. and remoy
ing still farther in the distance our hopes
of acknowledged independence and for
eign recognition
All all other sacrifices. then. Mississip
pi should be defended to the last. The
oversight not TO provide for her success
full defense at this time. can never be ex
cused or palliated. while it must demon
strate an utter want of capacity some
where in the government to carry on the
revolution successfully.
The Yankee rumor that General Hind
man. with his forces from Arkansas. had
crossed the Mississippi to join Pember
ton. | regret to say, is incorrect. accord
ing TO the last advices received 1t
would seem that common sense should
have dictated such move. even before
we attempted to make any defense of
Arkansas for what will Arkansas be to
US, any more than Virginia. If we shall
lose Mississippi? II is needless TO con
ceal the great alarm felt in all quarters
for Mississippi at this time. and people
cannot be induced to believe that they
are at all unnecessary. whatever may be
The opinion at Richmond While the
President is on his tour South. il is to be
hoped that the true condition of affairs
will not escape his immediate attention.