Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-04-02

PROSPECTS OF THE REBELs.-Tho soutb-
ern rapers express little confidence of success
IN the opening campaign. Their tone is gen
orally Respondent. The following paragraphs
from recent papers disclose some of their fears F:
Active operations of the chief federal army
that under Hnoker-have now commenced
and either decisive battle or the retreat of
the army under Lee musthe the speedy con-
sequence. The plan of the enemy, SO far as
developed, seems to be an engagement with
The contederates on the old ground near Fred
erlcksbarg, while a large army crosses The
kappahannock far higher, and keeping the
uplands on his side Of the stream, comes down
on Lees rear The vast forces under Hooker
WI at least enable him to undertake this
movement with some chance of success. They
are more than he needs or can manage in the
field. But if Gen. Lees army is as laroe as
1t was in December. nothing can he feared
from such division of the combat. If how
eyer, the confederate generals force is not suf.
iciently numerous to prevent the completion
OF the manenver- it is supposed that no course
remains but TO fall back on some point near
Richmond and give the enemy battle al a
greater distance from his base. This is the
worst that is even possible. and it would be
no disaster even if it should occur. Some dis
aster, some defeat in the enormously extended
campaign now opening, will, of course, fall TO
our lot.-Richmoad Examiner, 18th
From all accounts that reach us. we are led
to the conclusion that ere a great while Gen.
Bragg will be forced either to engage General
Rosecrans in battle, or fall back upon Chatta
nooga. The country would deplore the neces
sity which may force him to the a6epti, n of
he latter alternative. 1t is all important that
we continue to hold Middle Tennessee and
North Alabama, otherwise we shall find our
selves in Strengthened circumstances for army
supplies another year hence. The federals are
devastating the country as they advance. rem
dering it impossible for the farmers to raise
crop this season. and to blot out Middle fen.
nessee, Kentucky. North Alabama and North
Mississippi from the producing sections of the
confederacv, would he more seriously felt than
the loss of Richmond, Charleston. Savannah
or Vicksburg 1t would prove long step in
the direction of our subjngation by starvation.
Jackson Miss.) appeal.
The only point upon which there is room for
apprehension is that otir forces NAV be forced
by want of food for men and horses to relln-
quish the strorgholds from which the enemy
could never dislodge them, and that this is a
grave and pressing danger we have many fears
for believing. 1t is fact as well known TO
the enemy to ourselves that all the country
in the vicinity of our armies has long been
~..;s.t,rdvof its provisions and forage, and that
these armies depend for their existence and
maintenance of their present positions on the
railroads. These being facts which none, we
think, will venture to gainsay, it hehooves the
government to keen posted as to the condition
of these roads, and provide that they be kept
IN a state of the utmost efficiency. II is use
less to pass laws pltting men into the army
ana returning them to it when they run away,
II measures are not at the same time taken to
support the army when it is gotten together
ne railroads of this state are on the point of
giving out. They have decreased their speed
ten miles an hour as maximum rate, and are
carving from Is to so per cent. less tonnage
than formerly. This change in their rate Ct
speed aid quantity of freight has been made
through necessity. The woodwork Of the roads
nss rotted and the machinery has worn out.
and owing to the stringent enforcement of the
Consumption law as to railroad EMPLOYEES. the
companies have not been able, with all their
en- rfs, TO supply neither the one nor the other.
we ar. not informed Of the condition of the
railroads in the more southern states. but con-
ceive that they are little better Of. than our
own except perhaps in the matDr of negro la
Dor. Railroads are part, and an indispensa-s
pie part, OF our iIhary system and if they |
are allowed to fall through from any causes. |
government and people may prepare for the |
retreat OF our armies, and the surrender Of /
much OF the valuable country now in our pos |
sesslon.-hschmeaad Eraminer, l8th.