Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-16

6A9fmGR0 4Xpooltlous
We have already published q full and
general summary Of the movement Of
Sherman to Meridian.
Another lstter to the Chicago Tribune
sums up
TIE RESULT OF THE EXPEDITION.
The Confederstes will consider this ex-
petition as the boldest move Of the war.
For an army no larger than that which
accompanied Sherman to advance into the
very heart Of the Confedersey without
any communication for nearly 8 month,
and that, too, where the rebels had per-
feet railroad Communication, was truly q
bold move. It shows, more plainly than
anything else that has trsnspired, the real
weakness Of the Oonfederscy. Had they
the troops to spare from any point, or
could they have been raised in any man
ner, he would not have been allowed to re-
turn without serious opposition. Il is an
sye-opener to the people Of Mississippi
and can hardly but convince them that II
is useless to protrsct the war longer. Near
/ ly sH with whom we conVersed, confessed
as much. Regarded in this light, the ex
pedition has done great deal Of good.
/ ta' DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. 51
Nearly one hundred miles of railroad
WAS destroyed, and that in such manner
that It will have to be entirely rebuilt will
new iron, no very easy job when We con
slider the scarcity Of that article ct tht
South, aud the increasing scarcity Of Is
Dor. These railroads were Of untold value
/ to the South as a means Of communication
with tho different portions Of the Confed
erscy, and for the transportation Of sup
plies. Besides the railroads and rsilreaC
buildings, other buildings and stores
horses and mules captured to the number
Of two OF three thousand, and contrsband
to the number of Eve thousand, will swell
the amount Of loss 70 the Confederates h
nearly twenty millions Of dollars. Tn
country through which we passed wa
obliged to be stripped Of nearly every
thing eatable to support our army. Al
the people must seek sustensnoe elsewhere
it is really taking supplies away from thr
Confederstes. There was considerable de-
struotion Of private property, which may
hardly be considered justifsble; yet thu
houses destroyed were almost invariably
deserted, and their owners, in sll probabil
ity, in the Confederate army. Quite 4
quantity Of cotton was destroyed.
This wss done with little or no sddi
tionsl expense to our Government, as thu
army drew most Of its supplies from th'
enemy.
THE LOSS.
The loss on our side is trihing. Probs
bly, one hundred will cover the killed
wounded, and prisoners. The loss Of the
enemy was much greater in killed AND
wounded, and we captured more than two
hundred prisoners and deserters-amonl
them several officers. Our soldiers en-
dured the long march remarkably we'll
and there were but very few cases o.
sickness.
THE coHTRABANDs.
The five Thousand contrabands Is taking
just 30 much from the productive interest
Of the country, snd consequently from the
Confederstes. Nearly all the able bodied
ones will go into the army. In fact, We
are informed that one thousand have done
50 already. The remainder will be sent tC
the contrabsnd camps, and employed tC
work on the plantations IS occasion may
require.
..- THE WEATHER.
The weather, with one or two exceptions
was delightful in the trip. Had this moi
been the case, the expedition would have
been greatly delayed, as the roads in some
parts Of the route would have been nearly
or quite impsssable9 The nights were cool
and frosty. and sometimes the ice froEe