Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-12-24
THE CIRCLE OLE FIRE


Into the month of December, 1864, have
been crowded military events of immeasu-
rable Importance. The fall campaign, with
all its victories, was but preparation for
the more energetic work of the winter, and
though the month is scarcely half over the
military situation has been revoutionized,
and no less than four great victories gained
for the Union. The energy Of our War
Department seems to have been redoublod.
simultaneously, VIC have six grand move.
ments
1st. Sherman marching three hundred
miles through the interior of the South,
and his Investment of Savannah, with the
certainty of capturing its garrison Of fifteen
thousand men.
Cd. Thomas routing Hood in front of
Nashville and gloriously driving his army
from Tennessee.
3D.. and 4th. Expeditions from Vickshurg
and Baton Rouge, cutting off Hood from
Mobile and destroying railroad iudispen.
sable to his safety
9th. Waren's brilliant raid upon the
Weldon Railroad, tearing up at least twenty
miles, and leaving Lee but one line of COM
munication with the South.
7th. An inevitable raid upon the Dan.
vile Railroad, Lees only remaining line.
and now vital point of the rebellion.
This raid is the natural result of the snc-
cess on the Weldon road; everything indi-
Gates that it will be the next movement
Grant will make, and We may expect news
of it daily.
The circle of fire is complete. All of the
rebellion cast of the Mississippi river is
glrdled by our bayonets and at almost
every point we have armies in the front
10
solutely in the rear of Lee, and, without
fighting battle for months. has obtained
ell the results of victory by the mere force
OF his position. Gradually increasing his
own army, without draining those of other
generals, he has steadily worked round 10
the southwest, till he now threatens the
only line by which Lee can obtain supplies
OF safely escape. This is the position OF the
two grand opposing armies. The rebels
nave hut one other concentrated force of
trSt-cldss strength. That is Hoods, and he
Is now, thanks to that mastery strategy
which enticel him so far from MS base. not
only incapable of offensive action, but destj.
tute OF the means Of successful defence
Thomas retreated toward rcinforcements
Hood from them; and it was not thqt tho
enemy was beyond all aid that Thoma.
with Increased strength, turned suddenly
ana made that. terrible attack which result.
ed IN the utter defeat Of the rebels, and
their demoriIlzed retreat toward a road al.
ready ruined by Union forces in the rear
To the third great army of the Union they
oppose feeble resistance. Savannah, garri.
soned by fifteen thousand men. under Har.
Zee Is between Sherman's army and Dahl
preh neet, and Is doomed to fall. Sher.
man Is in the rear of Charleston and vii.
mington, and indirectly Of Richmond
thongh MS presence ON the coast may have
no Immediate eject or the safety of the
rehei capital Wilmington. q city through
~hieh the rebels have boasted that they
draw vast supplies from Europe, Is certainly
II danger. When it falls she rebel flag will
0roop At half mast. Thus, at every point.
inc rebellion is threatened with defeat, and
tnoush a!i our movements may not be sue
cesstnl. we are sure of general triumph
unparalleled In the war. In this circle OF
IRE the reheilion may be slowly but will be
saieiy consumed. PhtLa. Pros,