The New York herald., 1863-12-30
The oe.ersl po.ltio. or Affairs.

The Goneral Position Of AneArs-
Our military situation. as the year draws to
close, Ia one that we have every reason TO be
satisfied with Comparative quiet reigns Ia
every direction after the gigantic operations
and gigantic successes of 1868. or Ia broken
only by the occasional bombardment of
Charleston, where Gilmore still steadily la
bors on. Brilliant and sudden successes in the
field spoil the popular appreciation Of sicsesi
but vet we must not lose our faith in patient
and heroic Gilmore, who will certainly take
Charleston in due time, aud who. meanwhile,
does excellent service by the interruption Of
the contraband trade aud whose occupation Of
Morris Island would, indeed, have been amply
worth while If regarded only ~ b'aNkade
measure.
Grant is quiet at Chattanooga. aad Meade in
the valley Of Virginia; but we must not sup
pose that either is inactive. On the contrary,
they and all Of their subordinates are deep in
the undemonstrative business Of reorganization
aud repair--slow aud noiseless processes both.
but, Of course, Of primary Importance after
such volcanic campaigns as we have had in the
past summer and antamn.% Quartermasters are
supreme now, and supplies and the establisL.'
ment Of regular lines for their transportation
are the matters of great interest. Courts mar.
tial, too. are active in Che improvement Of the
efficiency Of our forces in their peculiar way;
and woe to the gorgeous fellows, bright
in brass buttons and gold lace, who
may have been delinquent in late battles.
Re -enlistments 60 On with great activity, and
it seems probable that the whole mass Of our
armies now in the field will enrol their names
for another term of service With this i'm
mense veteran force, aud with the volunteers
under the last call, or the men who may be
drafted TO fill up and supply the places Of
those who have fallen, we shall 60 into Che
active operations of the next year properly
supplied with men for the first time.
Our forces in Tennessee are still active, aod
the fate Of the rebel column under Longstreet
IA yet in the balance. Averiii has cut Long
streets communications with Virginia, and he
is virtually isolated in wilderness, aod ought
to be caught. General Joseph +. Johnston is in
command of the rebel Army Of the Tennessee.
the ranks Of which army the Southern leaders
are now engaged in q desperate attempt to aii
by an almost iudiscrimtoaie conscription.
Our navy is fiaaliy pretty we'll able to "hen
in the edges q the Yebe,ioa;' - our paper
blockade is euch that no ship can any longer
venture to run it with aoy reasonable chaace
Of success.
Aud with the structure OF the blockade. The
reduction and desperate condition OF the
Southern armies the depreciation Of the rebel
finances and a widespread depression Of spirit
at the South. and with our own army ina daer
condition than ever. We are appsreaHg 2 te en'ec,
early in the next year, upoa a season OF nn-
para,leled and momentOus activity.
But while we wait for the season favorable
for such activity the politicians sec busy at
Washington in the arrangement OF taeir
schemes. aud ia their bargains OF purchase aud
sale. over the next Presidency; aud the people
re busy everywhere in their own way, flied,
al the mention of the name OF Grant. with al
enthusiasm against which no political sc'e"e'
eau stand.