Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-04
sUGGEsTIoNs CONCERNING THE
FURTHER PROSECUTION OF THE
WAR

FURTHER PROsECUT1ON OF THE
WAR
Early in August last we expressed the opinion
IN cur columns that the energies ofthe Govern.
msnt should he directed to the work OF
strengthening ourselves on the Mississippi and
crippling the rebellion at itS e1tremltles in
Tennessee and Louisiana and that in the
meanwhile, no serious effort should he made
against Richmond. Our Southwestern lines m sy
now be considered secure, although 1t Is in the
highest degree probable that vigorous effort
will be made to drive our for ces from Knoxville
and Chattanooga by a formidable movement
across the Tennessee river between those points
or at point west Of the latter town.
The attempt will be desperate ono and the
preparation on our part should correspond to
the eIigency In which the rebel leaders are
placed. While a success by the rebels would
be temporary in its results, 1t cannot be denied
that anything less than the complete overthrow
OF the plan would be q disgrace to our arms.
We are greatly superior In numbers our SOL
dlers are animated by the recollection Of recent
victories, and inspired with confidence in the
speedy and successful termination OF the war.
The veterans have re-enlisted generally and
the numbers Of the army are augmented weekly
by the addition Of several thousands of recruits,
many Of whom have heretofore seen service.
There ought TO be no cause for apprehension;
although we cannot overlook the fact that it
Ia possible for the rebels to combine the greater
part Of their available force upon sIaRle
position As the rebel lines are contracted hy
our successes. their ability 10 concentrate their
army at given point lie Increased. Hence our
necessity for large armies was never greater
than at the present time; and there Is no doubt
that our available force on the lrst of March
next will equal, II 1t do not exceed, that of any
Wevious period Of the war.
Richmond Is again the point of chief inter
est. 1t is the only base for rebel movements
upon Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West vlr
ginia. Once in our possession, and these States
are secure, while the rebel forces would soon
be compelled to abandon North Carolina. Fol
lowing this and without delay they would re-
tire from Eas Tennessee and concentrate their
forces in South Carolina, Georgia, and Ala.
oama. These States arc quite unable 10 sus-
tatn AL army Of one hundred to Two hundred
thousand men, for even sixty days, in add.
Hon 10 the present population, swollen be-.
YoHd any former time by the influx Of whites
and blacks from the Northern rebel States.
Hence, if we can maintain our positions at
Knoxville and Chattanooga, the capture of
Richmond is, in cfrec, and in fact, the end of
the war.
1t Is, therefore, QnItc unnecessary, If not
graVely impolltic, for us TO assume the often.
sive in the Weu. The army in that quarter
should be treated as an army of observation.
occupying such positions as will best guard the
approaches to Tennessee and Kentuck ky,whIle /,
Is prepared to take advantage Of any weakpes.
of position or force on the part of our oppo.
nentS. We ought then to struggle for the over.
throw ofthe rebel army In Virginia.
How is this to be done1 or rather how il II to
be attempted with reasonable hope ofsuccessl
Tho camnaIops of I SA1 on5 ,eaO - . 3,
The Army Of the Potomac Is composed of good
materials-not inferior to any other army Of
The republic. The Eleventh army corps
transferred 10 the West, at or -,,.n.,
position not less honor
To the ve,sror b. -ole than that accorded
There l. .s'oes OF Shiloh and NicksouFg'
no reason 10 suppose that the other
corps Of the Potomac army are In any degree
Inferior.
II has been led by able and braye men, q
the six Generals who have successive ~ ~,
command, one or more at least wor la he sr
proved as good oficer, by every citizen ,D
military critic In the country. Why. thor
have we failed to capture RieAV .ondt som
may say that our miSfortunSs are due to II
interference of the Govsrnm' mt at Washiu
toni but there are those whr know that tn
suggestion has no foundstb IN In fact. In Il
nature of things the Cove nment must be r
sponsible for the general plan Of campaig
but the detaIls Of its eISr utlou are nscsssSrl