The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-16
Tne situation,

of loyal men so high. Dark clouds have long
enveloped the country, with gloom SO great,
that at times, despair seemed to take posses
sion of the stoutest hearts, and true men al
most felt that the sun of our beloved country
was indeed going in darkness and ruin forever,
But the pail begins to be lifted. The
clouds to give way, and from behind the
is passing away. Every where indications
are seen that the great rebellion has culmina-
ted, and the rapidity of its descent will be
commensurate with the vigor of its growth.
Ichabod is written upon its banners, its glory
has departed.
The armies of earnest, determined men,
which in the outset of the war, in the West,
met the Union troops, and disputed every foot
of territory, who held us SO long at bay at
Bowling Green, at Columbus who overran
Missouri with victorious hosts, are no more.
The legions that disputed the fortunes of
war and threatened to overthrow our armies
at Pea Ridge, at Shiloh, at Stone River, have
mel;ed away until they have become the mere
shadow and wreck of former greatness.
When Col Grerson, with nine hundred
men rode through the whole length of Mis-
sissipp he announced the situation Of the
Cenfederacy in single word, it was a
"shell"
When Grant sat down to the seige of Vicks-
burg, all men, everywhere, both loyal men
and traitors, expected that j johnson would at
least make an effort to raise the seige. Penn
berton waited forty days, his supplies were
exhausted, but johnson came not, and he
surrendered.
As Rosecrans moved from Murfreesboro, all
expected that the armies that met at Stone
River would meet again at Duck Creek, but
Bragg stopped not to fight. Even his base
in the fastness of the mountains at Chatta-
nooga, is given up without blow.
When Burnside entered East Tennessee
there were anxious lstners for the sound Of
the guns that would announce that the work
of delverance to the oppressed Unionists had
begun East Tennessee is redeemed, deliver
ed, and no sound of bloody strife is heard
1t is idle to speculate as to the number of mer
in the armies of Bragg and johnson. This
however is certain, they are no match for the
armies of Grant, Rosecrans and Burnsides.
Buff the rebels have no hope of success
with their present forces in the Mississippi
Valley, they have still less prospect of rails
ing additional troops. We hold Kentucky
and Tennessee. The rebels have lo1g since
given up all idea of holding military inter
course with the States west of the great river
Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida
constitute all the territory from which Brags
and Johnson can recruit their ranks. In 1861
these four States contained white popula
ton of exactly 1,549, ,69S-being 753, ITO les
than the single State of Ohio. That thi:
population, already exhausted by repeated
conscrptions, can replenish the rebel army, i
mathematical impossibility. The armies o
Bragg and Johnton cannot be filled so as t.
be again formidable, even leaving out of tn
question the loss suffered by desertion.
In the east the prospect is equally good
Gilmore pursues his advantage, and Charlesto
must fall
alone remains formidable. Lee invaded Penn
sylyania with 10000 men. Including hi
forces left behind he had probably 100000
His loss was at least 10000, leaving hin
when he got back to his old station on tn
Rappahannock, say 10000 That numbe
will undoubtedly embrace all his forces.
is claimed he has been reinforced, but fra
where2
When he was moving on Ge e;tysburg, John
son was impotcntly watching Grant, an
| Bragg flying before Rosecrans. Which {
those had men to spare Beauregard Gel
tainly needs as many now as then. That LIE
could receive any considerable reinforcement
is as Incredible as impossible. But slight &
his prospects are for reinforcements, they ar
no better for recruits. Giving the Gulf State
to Bragg ard johnson, South Carolina t
Beauregard and there remains Virginia an
| the old North State, containing in 1860 1878
511 white inhabitants. Deduct Wester
! Virginia and the other portions of these tw
States held by Union forces and it will |
seen, that population remaining already large
ly depleted by drafts, have not the resource
for reflling Lees army.
Look in any direction and the "Confedt
racy" is found giving away. Grant, Ross
Grams and Burnsides have broken the "shell
Gilmore is demolishing it, and in Virgin
there will soon be fatal crumbling. 1868, W
will here predict will see the end of the who
concern.
Let us rejoice and be of good cheer. TT
end is at hand The hopes Of the loyal a
developing into the fountain of enjoyment
Let us give praise to the God of nations al
of battles
BY next spring we may look. confdentl
for the return Of our victorious soldiers The
went forth in the hour of trial and of darl
ness With their lives in their hands the
went forth at our request, for our succor al
prosperity, carrying our blessings and our pra
ers, and the assurance, that in victory or in d
feat, their cause was our cause, their trials o
trials, their hopes our hopes, and their tt
umphs our triumphs.
When they return will the loyal peor
of Ohio, led by loyal Governor go forth
greet them. To bestow upon them t
blessings of grateful people. To croV
them with laurels. To extend the WELDON
well done good and faithful servants. W
they do this ?
: Or will they basely repudiate the sol
: brothers and friends who have braved
them death on a hundred battle fields. W
!, they elevate to the chief Office in the ST,