The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-16
Fhe BED RIFer ExpedItIon.

The Red River Expedition.
BY our Monday nights kilograms,
we learn that the long talked of expe-
dition to Red River was about to start;
and we also have some information re-
lative to the force 70 be employed, and
its pro6able detihation. The troops
wlaieh sl-bee4f--tll4reFsH-- Lake
Pontchartrain,.a4 the time of the Sher-
man expedition, together with the 18th
and 18th corps and 10000 men from
Vicksburg, viii be placed on transports,
and, accompanied by a fleet Of gun
boats, viii proceed to Munroe, on the
Washita river and thence across by
land 70 Shreveport. La, at which point
Gen. Steele ssill join the main body
This viii sweep the country, and clear
both louisiana and Arkansas elfeetu-
ally, Of rebels, and allow the reinstate-
ment of the civil authorities without
further interruption.
1t will also separate, by an additional
belt of $50 miles, the Western and
Eastern armies of the rebels, and to
similar extent reduce the territory
upon which they rely for supplies, and
recruits; and viii also leave a wider
margin for deserters; as very few re-
main in the army long after their fami-
lies are within our permanent lines.
The late votes in Louisiana and Ar
kansas evinee the strengthen the Union
sentiment of those States, which needs
but to be protected, that it may con
tinue to develop itself
The complete conquest Of Texas, too
will follow; matter of the highest
Importance, in view Of the condition Of
things in Mexico, and the complications
which may, and doubtless will, arise
after the rebellion has been suppressed
But with all these advantages, we
doubt the policy of these expeditions,
unless there are as many troops as are
needed elsewhere, to carry on aggres-
sive warfare, without a possibility of
failure. The head Of the rebellion is
to-day in Richmond capture that place,
and the Confederacy is robbed Of the
last Of It's moral and political prestige,
both at home and abroad and the next
advance made should be upon that
city, and men enough should be en-
ployed to insure success.
In addition to the advantages which
would thus arise, the seizure of Rich
mond would so completely flank Long
street, that he would be compelled to
move into South Carolina. At present,
with direct railroad communication be-
tween that commander and Lee, re-en-
forcements can be sent from one to the
other, in two or three days; and the
important connection can never be
permanently broken at any intermedi-
ate point therefore Richmond should
be seized, and the game of mutual aid
ended
Nor could the rebels make a second
stand in North Carolina. The western
portion Of the State contains no rail
roads; and the few lines in the east
could readily be severed, from our base
of operations on the coast, so that the mo-
ment the rebels are driven to the south
of the James, they must take up their
line of march directly to the cradle of
secession and rebellion.-South Carolina
If, however, there are enough men to
certainly defeat Lee, and capture Rich
mond, without drawing in the Mississip-
pi army, then the Red River expedition
is certainly awise one But in a stake
of such Importance, nothing should rest
upon chance If Gen Grant has the
direction of affairs, uncontrolled, we
shall have nothing to fear; ne will send
no troops to Texas, that are needed at
more important points; and if has
consented to the Banks expedition, we
may rest assured that the men are not
needed elsewhere
After Richmond is taken, we can cap
ture any other point; the National
Capital VIII then we out Of danger, and
thus 10000 men Will at once berelieved
from garrison duty, and permitted to
60 to the front But by Selling and
garisoning other places, our armies
viii only be weakened, and fewer men
could be brought to bear upon Lee.
Our only true policy is concentration.