The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-26

It must be confessed that Gen. Sherman Is .
bold, dashing leader OF the Union iorces' IN
triumphant march over mountains, across nv
ers and through valleys to Atlanta, and his
capture Of that city astonished the country,
and even wrung from the London Times prais-
es of that Generalship which could overcome
such obstacles; but his recent movement
through the heart ofrebeldom Is still more as
touishlng, and must open wider all European
ewes. Frederick the Great, when he boldly
entered Bohemia, astonished the nations, and
still later, Napoleon's drive into the heart OF
Russia excited the wonder and admiration Of
the world; but Sherman's present bold enter
prise, If It prove successful, win illuminate tho
pages of history with far brighter military glo-
ry than either OF the above expeditions. Time
alone can soften its dazzling brightness into q
steady glow in the annals of the world, "nere
it will remain to be seen and admired Dy al
those who come after us.
1t seems this grand movement leaves Hood
and Beauregard high and dry far way in the
rear. Sherman has no back tracks to look af-
ter. or places to man and garrison on his way,
hut he can pursue his course to Mobile,
Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington or any 9TH
err objective point that may be most advisable.
Hood and Beauregard may follow him If they
please, but a stern chase Is always q hard one.
Should they do so, what viii Gen. Thomas with
his forces do in the mean time? Gen. Thorn
as would not remain idle under such circum-
stances. This army must be source of trou-
BILE to these rebel generals In whatever aspect
It may be viewed.
But some croakers whose vocation 1t 10 to
find fault, may say that Gen. Lee will send a
portion Of bis forces in pursuit of Sherman, or
10 head him of But that cock wont fight.
Let the proverbial grumblers remember that
Grant Is in the vicinity of Richmond with his
eye fastened on Richmond. Lee can spare no
forces without endangering the capitol Of reb-
eldom, and Lee Is now well assured of that
fact. Yes, Grant Is there in spite Of all the
rebel powers, and most annoying circum-
stance 1t must be to JEFF Davis and his officers.
But say these habitual fault finders, Early
will send his forces to the James river. Will
he? Well, suppose he does thus attempt to
enable Lee to send a portion of his army to at
tack Sherman and arrest his triumphant march
through the centre Of Jeff's little kingdom,
what would the dashing Phil. Sheridan be
about In such a case? Let the croakees an
swer that question and satisfy their own minds
If they can. sese
The truth Is very evident that Hood and
Beauregard are so situated they cannot ngt :
Thomas with any hope Of success, nor yet run
away. According to our notion OF affairs these
rebel generals have placed themselves in a very
unmilitary position to say the least of It. They
have not the power to carry out their project
ed plan Of entering Tennessee, for their is a
lion in their path. The forces OF Grant, Thorn
as and Sheridan are so located that the armies
of Lee, Early and Beauregard must be on ths
loot out for them, and thus Sherman Is left free
to march into the very vitals Of rebeldom.
1t seems to US that our forces are admirably
arranged and located, and the military skies
are bright and give promise of a good day
coming. What point on the Gulf coast Sher-
man may be aiming at We do not know, but
that he win infict q very severe blow on the
rebellion we have every reason to hope and be-
lieve. Under existing circumstances we can
not see how JEFF. Davis and Lee can hope to
establish separate and Independent confede-
racy, or TO continue their wicked rebellion
against the government o. the United States
many months longer. News from Sherman's
march viii be eagerly sought for until he
reaches his destination, and what we get must
come principally through rebel sources for
awhile. JEFF Davis and Lee are straining their
eyes after him with great anxiety, but the in
domitabIe Grant win not let them follow him.
Thus stand affairs at the present writing, and
the loyal people Of the country have no occa-
sion for dependency. We have confidence in
our Generals, and our brave boys are ready for
any emergency. God bless them!
Hf rs