The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-10
Sherman and Atlanta,

Sherman and Atlanta.
The march OF Gen. Sherman's army, over
mountains, through valleys and across rivers,
has been one of the most remarkable and tri-
umphant military demonstrations that have
characterized this civil war in which we are
now engaged to sustain the government Of
our country. This noble general and his
brave army have fought the enemy and re-
pulsed him when circumstances demanded it.
and when more could be gained for the I'm
ion cause by thanking the rebels, such move
ments have been made. We are not aware
that Gen. Sherman has made single serious
blunder, but has pursued the even tenor of
his way until he has reached the plains that
surround Atlanta, the heart and centre of
rebeldom, where he has fortified himself and
advanced his lines which now invest the city.
Until recently, Gen. Johnston has COM
handed the rebel army, but JEFF Davis and
his satellites were apprehensive that Johnston
was too easily driven before Sherman, and so
the more dashing and headlong Hood has
been appointed commander OF the army, leav-
ing johnson to rest awhile after having been
driven many miles over a rough and danger
ons road. This was an act of mercy in JEFF
Davis towards Johnston, bnt not quite so
merciful to the rebel soldiers for the dashing
Hood has led them like sheep TO the slaugh-
ter II was Johnston's opinion that the reb-
els could not hold Atlanta, and for this cause
he has been removed and the hotspur Hood
put in command.
This change is not at all unpleasant to
Sherman, for he is unquestionably well salts
fed to have a foe who will meet him in open
field, and sometimes have the pluck to make
an attack, instead of skulking behind intrench-
ments or retreating as fast as his legs could
carry him. The results OF the battles re-
Gently fought on the plains under the lead OF
the new commander, have fully justified Gen.
Sherman in welcoming this dashing hotspur
TO the field. While Johnston. perhaps, was
too cautious and fearful, Hood has fallen into
the opposite extreme, aud exhibited more
rashness than skill-more pluck than pru-
dence.
Hood received the command on the condi-
ton that Atlanta should be defended, and he
set about it this important work in earnest,
anxious to obey his master and ambitious to
place his name high on the roll of fame.
Full of high hopes, he has made three grand
attacks upon Sherman, aud has failed with
terrible losses. We think Gen. Sherman has
taken the starch out OF him ia some good de-
gree; If not, and he makes another dashing
attack, we will give him due credit for his
pluck, but not for his prudence. Each sue
ceeding failure has been more disastrous than
that which preceded it, aud his last one came
nelr complete rout.
Insixteen days, from the 18th of July TO the LIST
OF August, this dashing hotspur is reported to
have lostin killed, wounded and prisoners t,cen-
ty.four thousdadn nearly, ifnotquite,
one halt of the army Johnston turned over to
him. A writer who describes the scene, says
the nature Of the ground is such that the
movements of the enemy can be seen from
the tops OF the trees; feints therefore were
out OF the question, and Logan was enabled
to post his troops so as to meet full in the
face the columns which Hood massed against
him.
Our men were ordered to lie behind their
works until the batteries opened fire, the
cannon being loaded and pointed for short
range, and the rfemen instructed not TO rise
until the big guns opened their mouths. These
orders were obeyed to the letter, and when
the two rebel columns commanded by Loring
and Stewart, advanced together, then the work
of death commenced In earnest. The whole
OF our line blazed away; the fire of grape,
canister and musketry plowed through the
rebel columns, broke and shattered them so
that they could not recover. The enemy
fled at once. Loring was wounded and borne
from the field, aud Stewart could not rally his
men until they were beyond the range of our
guns This battle, as well as those that pre-
coded it, have shown the great advantage
that Sherman has gained by the mastery
strategy which has carried his victorious ar
my over mountains, down upon the plains of
Georgia, where he holds position which is
anything but pleasant to the rebels. 1t will
readily be seen by our readers that Hood and
the remnant of his army are in bad condi-
ton.
Thus this Hotspur OF more pluck than
prudence is in fair way to lose his army and
his prestige together. Atlanta, no doubt, will
fall into our hands in due season, and Hood
will have reason to bless his stars, If he can
sneak away and save a portion of his army.
Gen. Sherman has won name which will
never be forgotten by the loyal people of
America and we are quite sure Southern re-
bells and northern copper-heads wilt often
think OF him. Thus the work orputtng down
this rebellion goes on. Let patience and pa
triotism have their perfect work, and the day
will soon dawn upon nation that has receiv-
ed the baptism of blood and came out better
purified, strengthened and prepared for a
brilliant career among the nations of the
earth.
Gov. Brown of Georgia exhibits more fore
sight than some other statesmen in Dixie
and says ''if Gen. Johnston's army is destroy
ed, the Gulf States are thrown open to the
enemy and We are destroyed" We think
the Governor has a correct view of affairs.
and we can afford to wait for the coming of
events.
The Speculation in Coal.
N. w. Kicker, writes to the New York
Times in regard to the price OF coal, and the
effect Of coal monopoies as follows:
Il am glad to see that somebody is awake
tn, h. III