Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-20
The Situation.

The Situation
While the news from our armies for the last
few weeks has not been entirely to our mind, and
the public have been much depressed at such IN
telliseuoe as We have got from Vichsborg and
G,veston, it may be worth our while to take
rapid survey Of the whole field Of operations
The Union army must be, al least, in the asgre'
gate one-haf larger than that OF the rebels, aud il
now everywhere moving upon the enemy's works.
From New Orleans we learn that Gen, Banks u
concentrating his forces for an attack upon Port
Hudson, the lowest rebel forliications on the Mis-
sissppi, and the only dIAi.ut obstacle between
New Orleans and Vcksburgh. The attack upon
this pics may be postponed however, tor a snort
time, while part Of Admiral FarraguFs beet !"
absen, in the expedition which has been prompt
" sent against TIE rebels in Galveston Bay, and
which We conf lently expect will make short work
Of the traitors in that vcinity.-lhe expe-
dtion down the Mississippi river, although tenn
poririly rrpoIsed at VicAsburg, sgatherIng up its
strength 40 in for more decisive assault upon
thllrrbel ,trorg hoId in the meanlimeis perform
ing such brilliant achievements as the capture of
Arkansas Post, with q. least 900 prisoners. The
fr., movement upon Nicksburg seems to have
filled from want Of cooperation b.ween the
armies under Grant and Sherman, but when the
attempt is next made-aud 1t cannot DO long
pouponed-lhes armies united making grand
total Of 100000 men, will make victory sure In
Missouri, ,hc bold rebel dash at Springfield vas
most ,ign4ily and gIorou,y rspulsed, BY q much
Inferior force Of Union troops, and that State will
undoubtedly again have rest from rebel fads.-ln
tennessee and Kentucky rebeI cavalry and guer-
rla, are yexng the peacesble population, and in
ter,rng With the supply trains and boats for our
ormie, but though insonyenien', and in some
instances qoi,s serious these raids are not at all
decisive Of any great result. the department
Of the Cumberland, the &: 'at and absorbing inter-
est centres on the two armies Of tosecrans and
Long,treel, now menae'ng each other Bngg's
defeat at MurTee,boro il confessed by the appoint
ment Of L'ngspreet 10 Tie command Of the rebel
army there, and the latleI has taken with him no
doub' large reinforcement from the rebel army
in Virginia. But Rosscrans b. ant geneal,hp
at Murree'boro, BY which he wrung victory from
the very jaws Of defeat gives US entire confidence
10 his ability TO meet and yansuish the rebel
General. lie has bee5, we believe, reinforced
since the last battles, and lis army have the most
en- hu,a,tic confidence in him.
From Virginia, we also hear that our troops ere
again 10 motion. Our General, in the army Of
the Potomic have doubtless wisely concl uded
that il is not good policy to allow fraction Of the
rebel army TO keep the great Union army in Viz.
GINA Idle TIE ohiei.ains in command there
believe in ishting the rebellion, and are now, we
hope, giving Lee to understand that 10000 rebels
cannot with immunity leave the Rippahaunock to
con!rcnt II sccrans in Tennessee. Burn.idss
forces certainly outnumber those under Lee, and
unless they fight OF immense disadvantage must
push back the rebels towards Richmond But it
is not only from the North that Davi, is ap-
prthensiye for his capital. The rebel papers are
continually exhibiting their teari OF an advance
inland by Gen. Foster, and il is fair to presume
it seems nov entirely certain that tbs movement
upon Richmond has again o1mmo need, aud we
trust soon to herald victories by the Army OF the
Potomac. cheering to all loyal hearts.
The navy alsl, it is cyiden! is rot idle. Tho
rebels are continually sending u, accouuta of the
movements Of our forces on the coast Ct North
Crulina aud they anticipate that Wilmington OF
Cra lesion, and perhaps both are to be sssailed.
W. know thgif approximations arc vel founded
and expect soon to hear that our ron.cads have
shcsn their fighting qualities in rebel hsrbos
an rendered the blockade o, such confederate
ports quite unnecessary
Ibis, in brief, is the military situation. In lhs
ntxt six weeks, perhaps much sooner, great and
decisive battles will be fought, battles which We
trist will break the military strength of the rebel
lion and establish the authority Of the govern,
men, over much territory tina, now is in tn.
control Of JeE Davis armies. In the meantime
there is need that the people be Of good heart
and courgeou'ly fee vb.tevsr difficulties envi
ron u.s. We expect and demand that our soldier,
fight mnufully and briyely,-nnd let u, remcm
Der that it is our duty ne less 10 be sisadhst il
our labor for the suppression Of the rebellion. Il
isa work which We nav. set ourselves TO do, aut
in the hes, and most earnest way let US continu,
10 labor for the cons animation until God crown
our ,iiorls with fua success.