Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-09-24
The Situation.

r vile, thence easterly TO Richmond,
thence All TO Wilmington, n, c., thence
along the coast to Charleston and Savan-
uah, thence westerly back to Mobile, we
shall ,rclad1 AL of the rebellion which is
AT present per subject Of anxiety or
serious attention. We shall see at a
glance that, compared with what the reb-
els claimed at first, it has become so badly
shrunk up, as to make a very contempt-
Bile showing, and on which Is doubtless
very notifying to them to contemplate.
While we may very properly thank God
and take courage, in view OF the steady
advance which the Union armies have
made, we should be careful not to put
light estimate upon the energy, the strategy |
and tue facilities which still remain to the |
enemy.
1t was said that when Vicksburg was
taken, the backbone of the rebellion was
broken. 1t was so considered by JEFF.
DAVIS himself, and also by intelligent for
egners. But like some other kinds of
reptiles, if one joint is broken of, the re-
naming portion seems to have the capaci-
ty of exercising all the functions OF the
entire animal. Since Vicksburg fell, Cum
berland Gap, Knoxville, and Chattanooga
have been broken, and still the creature
exhibits wonderful energy and tenacity
OF life.
The very fact of their being crcum-
scribed within narrow limits, taken in
connection with the system of railroads
which they still control, gives them de-
cided advantages. Since the capture OF
Chattanooga, General Rosecrans has been
advancing slowly and cautiously towards
Atlanta. which is about hundred miles
south of Chattanooga, and is another prin-
cipal Joint in this vertebral column. From
this place, as radiating point, railroads
lead to Mobile, Savannah, - Charleston,
Wilmington and Richmond, by means OF
which the rebels are able to transport their
forces from one of these places to another
in very short time. 1t is thus they have
lately put in practice their favorte tactics
of massing an overwhelming force for the
purpose of defeating Rosecrans neal
Chattanooga. Our accounts at the time
of writing are no later than Saturday
night, at which time it would seem tina
General Rosecrans held his ground. ]
this is so, We venture to predict it will re
suit in a substantial defeat to the enemy
If they cannot annihilate the Army o
the Cumberland, or at least drive it back
they are doomed to be defeated. Doubt
less General Burnside who by the way
has not resigned and does not intend to
will lose no time in effecting a junction
with Rosecrans and if the latter cal
maintain his ground, or even fall back t.
Chattanooga, till Burnside reaches him
the scheme of the rebels will fail. In al
the tremendous attacks which they hav'
ever made upon our armies, at Shiloh
Chickahominy, Murfreesboro, Chancelors
vile, Antietam, Gettysburg, and others
they have, to say the least, been damage,
as much as we have. Our armies stll
live. There are regiments and brigade
in all of them-and General Rosecran
has his share-that have never yet beel
defeated, and we believe they never will
Their presence on any battle field amount
to foregone conclusion against discom
future.
Meanwhile the rebel armies, like thel
territory, are gradually shrinking. The.
are probably determined 10 fight Will
they have man, gun and a round, al
to s.die in the last ditch" But that las
ditch will ultimately be found, and If "
all remain united and true, the tim
and the place cannot By very remote.