The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-18

The war. mast sHa Wsss-A
Movement Acct
The mysterious inactivity Of the Army o. ~,
--sssaaa since Its repulss from tho row.
~ .-->derioksburg ia, we have ese'y
rodouo's - "a lieut. 10 be suooeeded ~
reason 70 Doiieves b. ~ enemy. The suS-
another advance upon ~ >ssses to Aqua
pension at Washington Of =. 4 Of 'ssome-
creek. the numerous rumors ad0@ ~s days
thing in the wind" the absence for 80. ION
past of our. accustomed daily reports \.
Falmouth, the hustle and animation in our
military circles at Washington, all indicate the
breaking up Of our army camps on the Kappa
hammock and another effort at hand for the
dislodgment and defeat of the rebel army Of
Virginia.
We believe that the event is too near to be
affected by any foreshadowings from New
York; for We hope that our next intelligence
from General Burnside will be the cheering
report Of Q great success: II has been rumored
of late that the Ar&y Of the Potomac
was not in condition to advance, and pro-
baby would not be till spring; that the Pre-
sident and his Cabinet we're debating the ques
ton Of relieving General Burnside, and whether
Hooker, Sumner or Franklin should supersede
him. We are grati6ed with the assurance that
all such rumors may now be considered as con-
olusively answered In the forward movement
Of the army under General Burnside's direction.
II is understood that after his repulse from the
snemy's works, on the 18th Of December, he
was In favor Of Q renewal of the assault the
next day, and was convinced that 1t would be
successful, but that he was oyerruled by the
prevailing objections Of his council Of war upon
the subject But General Burnside's opinion,
though overruled, may have been correct.
From the fact that, with the repulse of our
troops the enemy remained behind their in-
trenchments, with our forceS between then and
the river, it is evident that General Lee was
too much crippled to follow up his advantage.
We think it, at sll events, q just decision on
the part Of the President that General Burnside
is allowed an opportunity to retrieve his mis-
fortune Of the 18th December; and we believe
that he will fully justify the confidence Of the
administration.
The time appears favorable for an advance
from the ,Rappahannock. The rebel army in
front has been sensibly diminished to strength
en- the defeated army of Bragg in Tennessee,
and perhaps also to strengthen the rebel force1
on the south side Of James river. 1t may be
that the extensive establishment of General
Burnsides troops in log huts has led General
Lee to the conclusion that they have delibe-
rately gone into winter quarters, and that
comparatively small force in their front will be.
sufficient to watch and hold them in check till
spring. Hence, perhaps, the large detaGhments
Of his troops which See has sent away for i'm
mediate service in other directions; and hence,
We conclude, the forward movement Of Gensrai
Burnside, which, we guess, II at this moment .
substantial reality. Under this impression, we
anticipate before the lapse Of many days the
news from Virginia Of blow which will open
our way. to the heart p the rebellion
In the West, however, the most active opera
tions are ia progress, from Tennessee to the
Gulf Of Mexico. II is reported that General
Longstrset with thirteen br!gadss, has arrived ct
Chattanooga, en- route to take the command OF
Brsyg's army; aud We are inclined to believe
this report, from the manifest designs of the
rebels to recapt,rrs Nashville, to re-
cover West Tennessee and Kentucky.
and to make break in the North
west ON the basis Of the free navigation
Of the Mississippi river. In this view we might
regard the presence Of Longstreet and his re-
Inducements in Tennessee as full Of peril to
General RosecraAs, If 1t were not that from
the approach of an overwhelming rebel army
he can retire within the encirclng Notifications
Of Nashville As for our late victory In Ar
kansas, we fear that it is counterbalanced by
the destruction Of one of our gunboats and Eve
transports in the Cumberland river, en- ro,ae
with supplies for Nashville. Farther to the
southwark, from rebel sources. large squadron
Of Union gunboats and transports are reported
ascending the Mississippi which was doubtless
the Banks expedition, advancing TO the attack
on Port Hudson. We only hope il may have
arrived there in season to take the place, by
reachingit In advance of r.ny rebel reinforce
ments from vicksburg. The premature ad-
vance and consequent repulse of General Sher
man from vlcksbWg, however, may afford
the enemy there the opportunity largely
to strengthen Port Hudson. Such are the
chances from the breaking Of single link in
chain Of military combinations.
East and West, looking at our military situs-
ton in the most favorable light, the prospect
Of q speedy suppressbs Of the rebellion has
vanished. The abolition programme especially
the emancipation proclaim tion-hss thoroughly
united the rebsllioH South aud is dividing the
loyal North This winters campaign must bs
decisive against othe s.roDgholds Of the rebel
lion, or European. Intervention and divided
North will settle the question sgainst the re-
storation Of 'fhe Union ~ II wss," tsrrltorialy,
upon any terms. II we cannot, during this
winter, give some decisive blows u the rebel
lion. we shall be too weak in the spring 70 re-
slst the probable demand Of Louis Napoleon
for Southern sonfederasy. Meantime, rs the