Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-28


The fall of Atlanta ends the campaign in Georgia
there is nothing more there that will justify the
enemy in keeping their present large force in that
State. The abandonment of the draft shows that
Mr.. Lincoln has abandoned the recruiting of the
armies, and as Sherman's army has accomplished
one half of the CAMPAIGN it can now ee used to aid
in the remaining half-the capture of Richmond
Had the draft been executed we should have expect
ed the enemy to have pursued the advantages which
the fall of Atlanta gave him, but without the draft
it is impossible for the enemy to go farther South
Perhaps Atlanta is as far South as the policy ofthe
enemy would desire to CO.. The army of General
Sherman after garrisoning Atlanta, will be free to
render aid to General Grant for the capture Of Rich
mond. With the armies of Grant, Sheridan and
Sherman combined, the second half of the campaign
will be undertaken this fall between this time and
the presidential election. These combined armies
will be launched against Richmond-Grant from
Petersburg, Sheridan from up the Valley and Sher-
man from Fredericksburg or the White House. per-
hsps from both places. Lee, BeanregArd and EARLY
will have their hands full. before the des Of Novem
Der. With the fall Of Richmond, Virginia and Ten
nessee goes into the eaemy's lines and peace will be
made with the Gulf States. This is speculation,
but has it not strong probability? ~
What is there south of Atlanta ofany importance
to compare with Richmond? What lines of co,nmu-
ncation with Alabama and Mississippi to compare
in Importance with Redmond beseged and invest ed
on every side What other point In Georgia has
any practical importance attached to it? Without
the capture of Richmond this whole campaign is q
failure with the fall of the city it is complete sue
cess.
The people of the United States are growing tired
of the war they will not stand another draft, and
Lincoln has Yielded on this point; there remains
nothing for him but the capture Of Richmond
Against this city will be hurled the combined armies
OF the United States under Gen. Grant The army
of the Potomac has been brought to dead lock- and
can do nothing without the hundred thousand"
which Mr.. Lincoln has been forced to provide by
means other than a draft Shermans army, after
garrisuuing Atlanta will supply about one halt of
that number, tut they will DO old troops not new
>1evies, and consequently worthmore than hundred
thousand new men.
On the military chess board there is no other
move Of equal Importance that we have Indicated
against Richuoud-,f successful, in the opmion OF
the enemy, it ends the Further movements
in Georgis have military significance attached to
them, and must he attend,d with hazard. She' mans
army is suspended by single thread, for it is sup.
ported by single railroad, which running through
Chattanooga, il liable to be permanently occupied,
and his supplies cut off, in which case certain de-
struclion would be inevitable. Will the enemy risk
Of further advance into Georgia. We do not believe
they will
We, therefore, are of the opinion that the next
two months will witness the bloodiest conflicts that
this war has Witnessed and that mrnedia'ey around
Richmond will be the theatre of the conflict Are
our peoplesprepared for this The army has the
government to look out for it-but are the people
prepared Tor siege with all the railroads destroyed
Theimniense puiation uIat now crowds the streets
Of Redmond had better betake themselves else
where. There will be suffering IN Richmond this
fall and winter which has not been witnessed du-
ring tne war The city may be shelled, for its 'n'-
mense lines require u vast army to defend IT.; us
very streets may be the u bo,~y battle for
! it will be defended as other place has been.
Upon holding Richmond depends for us everything.
Success and speedy peace, failure and interminabe
wsr, are involved the coming struggle for Rich
| mOnd All may be satisfied that the contest will
be desperate and all had better make provision for
! their comfort elsewhere. ...-r.
There are required for the defence Of the city
many thousand more men, the details must be re-
| voked, and all men between 18 and 40 sent to the
front. But very short time remains for prepare
tons, the railroads that connect with Atlanta
being rapidly repaired. As soon as they are finish
ed the movements will begin, and in few weeks
| the conflict will open.
This is all speculation, and may never take place
but it has probability enough to warn our people
to prepare for conflict before which the battles Of
the Wilderness Spotsylvsnia Court House, Gaines
Mill are but skirmishes.-Ric1nondE Enquirer.
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