The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-05-08
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gs.,1siisa ..,,orv reason to believe that the
49, A Movements in the Mississippi Valley,
~ ha;nc watched with such intense interest,
~" Dy nofb;ng less than the employment OF
ne v,oaons nossible. even to the hazard OF a
49, assault to accomplish the reduction OF
WaLshnrc, Ii is the goal they are striving &
!. -asch hevond question, and to disregard
~. thraatenings made, may possibly result
,antallv tG, our cause On this subject
: lats I,umber Of the jackson Appeal, says:
That Cen. Grant at one time contemplated
.4f-laasts q Temporary abandonment of opera I
+;onas ~ the river. and the transfer OF large |
nort;on of his army either to cooperate with
RRnsacrans. or to operate from his old base at
nsr;nth il generally believed by our best in
fnrrcad friends at Memphis. Knowing the
forro;dabla nature of our defences fronting
The river. and fearing the consequences Of
direct attack, he commenced his ditch Dig
eingi and the exploration Of bayous and In .
sienifcant creeks, hoping to lind some way
Of turning the position. Finding this 70 De
as dangerous, if not as impossible, as the
more direct mode had been determined to be,
he withdrew from the field, as 1T is now IN
dsrstood, with the intention Of making an adj
vance elsewhere. 10
On his arrival at.Memphis be was met by
Adiutant General Thomas, Of the Federal ar
nv, who it was announced by the Cincinnati
press was sent to the West with full powers
to direct the movements of the armies From
that moment a change was witnessed. The
TROOPS going up were sent back-General
Grant returned to his old position without De.
lay-and movements have rapidly followed
each other so entirely at variance with the
previous plans Of the enemy, as to leave no
doubt Of the fact that not only was General
Grants backing out policy changed, but also
an entirely new plan of operations adopted,
and which, is now being developed, Union
men at Memphis have been heard to boasttul
~ declare that General Thomas was positive
in his requirements on meeting Genera
Grant. The army of the latter, he is report
ed to have said, was prepared to open tn
Mississippi; it had mission to perform tina
must be accomplished. its failure to perform
that mission would be- at once fatal to tn
Union cause: it's commander had been tur
nishad with all the men he had deemed neces
.ary. and was supported by a powerful fleet
The aoork mast be done. IF the efforts mad
had demonstrated that anything more wah nt
cessary. it would be furnished, but the etfcl
must not be abandoned. Gsas bsa
Since the meeting Of these officers we hay
witnessed increased vigilance. we are a
sured that not only were the troops that ur ~
sent lup the river turned back, but also ina
everything has been done to increase M
stre1gth. A gentleman who left Memphis,
week ago advises us that reintorcementss !, an
appliances we're then going forward, G Is!
Thomas is With the army. Unusually actl,
,,,ouornnts have been in progress in new
rections. for the last few days; and as we we
the situation with the lights before US,
cannot help regarding the crisis as near.
hand. Fortunately our preparations to me m {.
this last desperate move Of the enemy renal
undisturbed. His uncertain movements 9
ceived nobody to an extent that IN the is e.
decreases our confidence as to the result. !
most important advantage he has secured II
palpable desperation that may lead him N
attempt something that his a., despo aae e,
would have rebelled at three weeks ago. ~
rashness can be overcome by true courage a
90 we are prepared for the conflict let 1t con