New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-03
THE WESTERN CAMPAIGNS,

Il is remarkable that in the files of Richmond
papers received last night there is scarcely an
allusiOn to the progress or position of Gen.
Sherman. Those files, and the extracts from
them printed on another page, are to the 29th,
yet the latest news about him is contained in
brief dispatch from Demopolis, Alabama, under
date Of Feb. q, announcing that he had not
left Meridian. Another account was received
Tuesday, and placed his advance at Pearly
Pear, said TO be small station on the railroad
running easterly from Meridian. Whether his
advance was scouting party of cavalry, or
really the head Of column, there is nothing to
show, and We cannot accept this unsupported
dispatch as evidence that Meridian had then
! been abandoned. For the statements from
Washington and other quarters that he had &C.
cupied Selma we conceive there has been, and
is, no authority at all. Putting them decisively
aside, we must conclude that we know nothing
| of Gen. Sherman's movements later than Feb.
q, and nothing of any advance in force beyond
Meridian.
| But we are far from regarding this as an indi-
cation that Sherman has met with disaster, or
that his plans have been thwarted. On the
contrary, the silence at Richmond speaks elo-
quently of bic success. No news is good news
Ii it were possible for the Rebels to send us
word of any reverse to this dreaded expedition,
does anybody doubt it would come post haste
down the Peninsula or across the Rapidanf
The wonder is that something has not been
Manufactured for the Northern market before
this. Richmond is in telegrapbic communica-
ton with the points toward which Sherman is
making. The Rebel War Department undoubt-
cdly is well informed of his position and of
every engagement, serious or slight, that has
been fought. Why do the Richmond papers
get no news, or, getting it, why are thoy not
permitted TO print itl But at Washington,
there is NO sure way Of knowing.
Confident, therefore, that noill fortune has yet
befalen this adventurous leader, We do never
theless consider his chances of ultimate COM
plete success little reduced by the failure of
Gen. Smiths cavalry force to effect junction
with him ct Meridian. The losses which the
cavalry suffered are severe enough, even by the
Memphis account, and by the Rebel dispatch
arc of course made heavier, But they are I'M
important, compared with the possible effect Of
the failure on Sherman. We say possible, be-
cause we cannot suppose the chance of future
TO unite was not taken into account There is
presumably another string TO the bow. But
flying column without communications needs
cavalry for all purposes, and Sherman is pretty
sure to find himself pinched for want Of it.
Nor is there yet word OF news from Gen.
Loganscorps, which is also understood to be CO.
operating more or less Immediately with sher
man. From Chattanooga We have nothing
since the recent advance-reconnoissance, or
whatever IL may have been-on Tunnel Hill and
Dalton.
! Coming up TO East Tennessee, we have
dispatches enough, but very little accurate in
formation Of either Schofield's or Longstreet's
movements. That the Rebel commander has
disappeared from the ncghborhood Of Knoxville
is certain. Where he is gone is very uncertain.
Not To rnjoin Loo, thfnhj for 10 Is unlikely
Lee should have anticipated any early move
ment BY Gen. Meade, strong enough IN force, or
earnest enough, TO imperil his hold on Richmond.
Longstreet went into East Tennessee with a
purpose, and we do at believe he has yet aban-
doned il. 1t is conjectured he may have gone
down 10 reinforce Johnston, imminently threat
ened from Chattanooga But the direct roads
from Knoxville are in our possession, and the
renal ming roads are so mountainous and in all
respects miserable that an army could be
moved over them only with the greatest diff.
Guilty, if at all. A descent on Kentucky through
Pound Gap is also limited at; another rumor
il that Breckinridge and Buckner are the
heroes selected TO lead column for tho
recovery" Of that State. All there reports We
record; TO express an opinion upon them is USE
'ess.