The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-03-09

CkSSt CL va
~. ,kill, success, and energy dis
I'D bv our Generals in the Southwest
p'a :ss recent operations in that section
ID u. ~ only be fully appreciated since We
,.S had the Yankee version Of the brief
nv ',,,sr,r unproductive campaign which
wv s,.n =. admirably and 80 completely
syled and defeated.
'' Thi, campaign was designed on the
last scale Of any which the enemy
=. nro,ected during the war. 1t has
49, impress of Halleck's comprehensive
W. .,ose, strategy, and embraced field Of
ooeu,ions the most extensive and " Sc
of Combinations the most elaborate,
~. have vet been essayed by the enc
-. or by any commanders in ancient or
tam warfare. This plan compre-
,.5ea a general advance from all the
.;o,,s nosi,ions held by the enemy in
'A extent of our territory stretch
n, from Chattanooga westward to Mem
nhis. from Memphis southwark to New
p-I..rs and from New Orleans eastward
- the Florida coast. No wonder that
-. imaginative and sensational Yankee
1sors should grow exultant and jubi-
-, over such magnificent scheme, and
should predict from its certain success
-. ,ba New York Tribune and other
..,,.na,s did-an early termination OF
tbs WAT 1t is Of no practical conse-
opence that we should examine and
.,;t;c;se the wisdom or practicability OF
y. scheme, and on that score content
ourselves with the expression Of our
han. tina. the author and planneY Of it
u;Il he continued in his high functions Of
5rsctng the strategy of the Yankee
arnis. The miserable failure of this
enterprise, and the skill, promptitude,
,osstfrlv strategy and vigor with which
If WAS met and defeated at all points by
MIR commanders and our gallant soldiers,
Furnish Us grounds Of exultation. conf
dence and general hopefulness, such as no
previous campaign Of this war has given.
let rs all remember how, but few
weeks ago sitter the disaster at Mission
arr Ridge, the Yankees were so confident
that the backbone Of the rebellion was
broken, and that all that remained to
finish the war was for Gen. Grant to ad.
vance into the interior and dispense tho
scattered fragments Of our defeated
armies 1t is not to be denied that tho
disasters at Vicksburg and Port Hudson
and that last defeat at Missionary Ridge,
bad produced great depression in some
If the Southwestern States, particularly
in Mississippi. This depression was
compounded of disgust, of distrust of
our commanders, and an apprehension
that the Government had abandoned that
section of the country in order to defend
other sections. There wss, therefore,
large descrtion and scattering among our
armies, especially in>Mississippi, and our
Generals were greatly perplexed to main
tain and keep up their commands. The
success Of Gems. Polk. Lee, Maury, and
Forrest, in resisting these causes of de-
moralization and preserving the spirits and
efficiency of their commands, reflects upon
them an even higher glory than the most
brilliant victories in the field could merit.
After successfully resisting these causes
Of decentralization, and keeping up the
organization Of these little armies, it was
on.y necessary for these Generals to &C
eomplish some military successes to
revive the confidence and spirits Of the
people and recall them to their flag and
their posts. This prestige, so much
needed in the Southwest, to correct and
eradicate the terrible depression produced
by the disasters of previous campaigns
has, We think, been effected by the re-
zen. most complete and thorough defeat
d the most extensive plan Of operations
yet designed by the enemy. Henceforth
We have reason to believe that through
out the Southwest there will be a general
rally around the leaders who have given
such high proofs Of ability, zeal, and
devotion. Our armies will quickly fill
up their ranks, and under leaders in
whom they trust, they will not rest con
sen, Eith merely defeating, but viii
pursue and drive the enemy without and
lar beyond our borders. Meantime, lot
our Government see that these armies
are strengthened Let not the idea that
% ',iuabls a section of our country ~
lhe Valley Of the Mississippi is neglected
by Cur Government, have the slightest
foundation or color, The reinforcement
Of Zen. Folks army appears to US to DO
OF the highest moment, and to promise
as much of real practical benefit to the
contederacy as that Of any other force
now in tho service. That army has a
mission Of vast Importance, and from the
skill with which it il hsn9,ed b she
patriotic and energetic commander, We
haze every confidence that. its mission