Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-01
From the New York Times.


The telegraph has more than confirm
ed she unfavorable view of Gen. Grants
position in the South west. The rebels
not only have burned the bridge over the
Obion River, as we surmised they would
which cuts of jackson, Tenn, from Col
umbus and Cairo, but they have adytGc-
ed boldly to Union city and burned that,
and continued their desolating march right
on toward Columbus, their former strong.
hold on the Mississippi. The first report
we had of the serious rebel demonstra-
ton north of jackson was, that Gen. Da-
Wis was about to set out from Columbus
with force large enough to drive away
the rebels. and that the railroad would be
repaired in two weeks at most. But now
the news is that Gen. Davis Ter General
Tuttle, Commandant at Cairo is conf
dent that "Columbus can be held against
the rebels" who are reported 900 strong
within few miles of that place! The
destruction Of the bridge over the Obion
River, to be followed, of course, by sim
liar injuries to the railroad at other points
where bridges and trestle works exist,
will, we have every reason to apprehend,
verify our prediction in regard to the final
and forcibe change of the base of Grant S
army.
But if this were the only disaster, it
might soon be recovered from. Grants
base should have been at Memphis He
is now checked in his campaign, aud
will be obliged to open communications
with the Mississippi River at Memphis
thus doing on compulsion, at vast loss
and with the sacrifice of his campaign,
what sound military Judgment should
have dictated before his march into the
State Of Mississippi was commenced
But what has he lost in the meantime by
depending on the long line Of communi
cation from Holly Springs to Columbus
and Cairo? The telegraph yesterday
told the story with conciseness and force.
The rebel cavalry commenced their recent
raid by demonstration in the vicinity
of Jackson, Tenn. This town is nearly
the geographical centre of West Tcnnes-
see, connecting north with Corinth. the
celebrated battle ground, by the mobile
and Ohio railroad, and also south Invest
with Bolivar and Grand Junction. by the
Mississippi Central Railroad. jackson
is the key-point of the county lying be-
tween the Mississippi and the Tennessee
rivers; it has been strongly fortified, and
since the siege of Corinth has remained
the headquarters of our Army Of the
| South. west.
Cen Grant moved from jackson when
he commenced the invasion of the State
of Mississippi A very large accumula
ton Of army stores and subsistence has
been IN ade at Jackson-it is the depot
| from which all the surrounding points,
ICorinth, Bolivar and Grond junction,
are supplied. As soon as the rebels, a
week ago, threatened jackson, the com
mandng officers at Holly Springs was
notified of the fact by telegraph, and re-
quested to send all the forces he could
spare for its protection. lie did so. But
as soon as they were gone, Jackson a0as
not attdked, bit Holly Springs aodSi And
it was taken, and a general bonfire made
of all the cotton and of all the property
Of Grants army found there, including
200 wagons, and subsistence and amuni.
ton amounting in value TO $500 ,OO0.-
The Union forces at Holly Springs were
made prisoners and paroled. Some o
them have reached Cairo and brought
this discouraging news. They state that
Van Dora, with force of 5 600 rebels
is conducting this successful assault on
Grants communications; and that after
having destroyed the Government prop.
erty at Holly Springs, they moved on to
ward Grand junction for the purpose o
capturing it. If they succeed in this they
will destroy the railroad bridge over
Wolf River and thus have Grant com
pletcly cut off from Corinth, Bolivar an
jackson The reduction Of these place
will then apparently be a mere matter o
time. 1t viii only require the concentra
tion of the Holly Springs force under NaI
Dorm with the force that has broken NJ
the railroad north OF Jackson, which II,
power that Grant or Tutte wiclds can
prevent, At Bolivar the Mississippi Cen
tral Railroad, south of Jackson, crosses
the Iatchie river. The bridge there be
ing destroyed, as well as that north o
jackson, over the Obon river, the towl
: of jackson would seem to be beyond tn
reach Of all help. And if it falls, the los
of Memphis itself would hardly be n sew
erer blow whether considered in relercnc
, to the military backsct OF the loss of i'm
mensc supplies.
1t is question with us whether tn
present rebel movement do not portent
: sharp, quick turn IN tie entire camPaig
; IN tie SOuth0est. Gen. Giant havin
=, been, as it appears, eliectually cut off fror
his base at Cairo, and from his interio
, position, Corinth, Bolivar and jackson
the entire course of the Tennessee Rive
is uncovered to the rebels. They are trc
to reoccupy Fort Henry and For Done
son, planting the banks of the Tennessee
and Cumberland Rivers with batterie,
and Ronking General RoSecr0nS at NaSh
rifle. 1T the rebels can succeed in th
:. maneuvre and then break tho railroo
line between Louisville and Nashville
a very triling achievement for them, W
" too well know-the magnificent arm
under Rosecrans would be in such per
as would make every friend of the Unio
' trembe, We have reason to think tn,
the Confederate powers mean to make