Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-20
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH
WRaT,

IN the North. as well as in TIE South, al eyes are
suxiouslv turned 70 the campaign in Tennessee and
Mississippi The impor tancs Of the result seems to be
duly appreciated IL both sections, not only by the PEG
Die but By the press aud leaders, snd mas mach as com
1s-seive ouist rsiens elsewhere, al Of hopeful interest
on the one side, ana Of soiieitude on the other Is cen
tered In the operations now progressing IN tho snssis-
sippi valley. Our enemies enjoy a confdenee Originate
ms in tb.ir knowlsdgs OF the vast preparations to open
The M1usssippi our friends are squsuy as confident
from a knowledge Of our resources 81 defense. The
issue S made-aad just nov, as we have remarked al
ara looking for a solution Of the existing sRtagonisue
poslaen Of the two srmies with the utmost so1citnde'
The New York Herald Of the 5th instant dsvotes a
column to a review Of the " campaign in the south
west. aud is tremendous importance" Satisfactory &C
counts. 1t is stated, had not besn received Of the late OPP
er.tons. either before Vicksburg or at hurtreesooro-
and this only intensified the anxiety and tia Northern
interest ain the grand drama now being performed
on a theatre 50 extensive as TO embrace all the
save states south Of the Potomac, j. concentrated
IN Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi ane me ohei
cs-L- pvrasrmg Tennessee on the South" II Is ad-
miued that " the diu of war in tn e East appears 70 lave
been hushed ever since the battle Of FraaersA'0arg'
thai she campaign in Vrgiria IS tnHs nr atsilare' the
Federal move me1t IN North Caroina-dependent upon
it-must neeesssaiy fail" and that the movements
sraiB.t wilmington and Charleston are no part of q
plan Of campaign, but for moral effect, and to prevent
she blockade being run As remarke5, Northern in
terest is concentrated IN the Mississippi valley" and we
may a. wen admit those Of the South, who have been
observaut Of late movements, share in the s~oHcitude.
entertaining, Of course, different hope as to the re-
suit.
We have never imagined fr a moment that the fall
ing back Of the Federal army from before V%icksburg-
should be looked upon as an abandonment of a long
cherished scheme. The movement made was buta fail
ure, or perhaps, a preliminary to innocal ste the fresh
troops with a Ettle aetual experience. The whole Of
the army there c%oncsntra ted is within striking dis
tsnee now, and it has beea reinforced The utmost
vigilance Of orr scouuts has failed TO locate them, ex-
eept TO determine that they have not gone MP the
river. Consequently we may reasonably expect a re-
uswal Of bostItfes, intended to effect the reduction Of
our stronghold. at an early day-hezes the solictude
felt so universally.
The enemy is now making two attempts 70 conquer
the Southwest RosEcRAEz movements look to a de-
fsatof BRAGG, and the occupation Of Alabama as far
as Montgomery. The sHeet OF this, # Is imagined, would
be to hem in our forces to narrow space bordering on
the eastern bauk Of the Mississippi, and cut of com
pletely communication with the Atlantic States. Then
comes the river movement Both Of them are formida-
be. The first IS. however, imprac'icabIe, for Rose.
CRAM cannot keep up so long a line Of land eommuni-
cation. The operations Of MORGAN FORREST and
WHEELER in his rear wosld certainly not facilitate his
advance. even if BRAGG was out OF the way. On the
river or friends are confident Of their ability 10 make
a successful defense, and those Of military experience
who have examined the preparations, express no doubts
whatever. Lstterly, however, we have heard surmises
that the enemy WI make g landing ana penetrate the
country between this city and Grenada It lis our weak
est point although It is universally asserted thai the ma
ture Of the country win prevent ouch a flank movement
against Grenada. But are we certain of this Were
We not equally certain # could not be made against Alb
bevfle, and was not the avenue left open, with a result
well knownG We do not think a corresponding move
msnt can be made, as against Grenads, but our suthor-
tiles should be surs that 1t cannot We cannot afford
another r~strograde movement, similar to that from our
Entertainments at Abbevils.
The quiet in Virginis betokous greater activity here
shat the uext few months Of aetive war will be enacted
In our vicinity. In the present condition Of thingswe are
hopeful. One Of the best military minds Of the Con
fsderaey IS controlling Affairs. and assisted as he is by
able generals, we already see a marked difference in
military matters. Order is universal, confidence and de-
termination Is general among the solsisry, and he cid-
zen, though anxious. exhibits no zlarm. The situation,
notwithstanding the Wanting Of our enemies, is q hope
ful one.