The New York herald., 1864-03-16

" VlCtofy iof TIC Union exlub may now DC con-
Adently predicted.
! GENERAL SHERxAN's EXPEDITION AND ITs RE-
suLTs.-The interesting details which we pub
lished yesterday Of the operations and results
achieved by General Sherman's late expedition
through Mississippi to the Alabama borders
VIII have satisfied the reader that this enter
prise, in military light, was great success.
The special object in view-Selma, Ala.-owing
to the failure Of General Smith, with his caval-
ry,'to work his way down from Tennessee, was
not reached; but the damages inflicted upon
the enemy, Notwithstanding, are equal to those
Of disastrous defeat in q great battle. Let
US briefly explain.
The State OF Mississippi is three hundred and
forty miles in length from north to south with
an average width of about one hundred and
fifty miles from east to west. In addition to
the water line of transportation furnished by
the great river on its western border the State
is traversed its entire length by two interior
lines Of railroads, north and south; but II has
only one through railroad east and west--that
which from Vicksburg, via Jackson, crosses
the heart of the State to Meridian, near the
Alabama line. 1t follows that, with our occu-
patton or destruction of this crossroad at Me-
ridian, we cut off the whole railroad system
States to the eastward. The Memphis and
Charleston road, near the southern border
Of Tennessee, connects with these Mississippi
roads; but the "Yankees" have possession of it.
The Mississippi Sound connects Alabama with
Mississippi on the south; but Admiral Farragut
is there. The only outlet, then, from Missis-
sippi into Alabama and the other rebel States
eastward is through this orossroad by way
of Meridian; and the work Of destruction
effected by General Sherman at that juncture,
therefore, practically detaches Mississippi from
the rebellion for at least two months to come.
At the end of that time we expect Alabama
and Georgia will be in the same position.
Between the opposing armies in General
Grants tremendous Vicksburg campaign last
spring and summer most of the subsistence,
including the growing crops Of some Of the
richest districts Of Mississippi, was consumed
or destroyed. The fruitful counties along the
northern border, by previous and subsequent
raids from both sides, have also been pretty
thoroughly exhausted. Bat there were still
extensive districts remaining untouched in the
eastern half Of the State, in which, from their
last years crops Of corn and bacon, large sup
plies had been stored away for the use Of the
rebel armies. These supplies have been eaten,
destroyed or cut off by General Shermans
army in this late expedition, and the previously
contracted field of subsistence to the armies Of
the rebellion is to this extent still further
diminished.
The scenes Of fire and desolation which
marked this expedition of General Sherman
are painful to contemplate, in view Of the
human suffering which must follow; but, as
the business of war is destruction, everything
that contributes to weaken and exhaust the
enemy is so much gained in behalf of peace.
1t is terrible ordeal; but as Davis and his
fellow conspirators would have it SO, they
must abide by this fearful issue Of fire and
sword. We hope that the end is not far off,
PRESIDENTIAL TUFT HUNrNG.-Our Presiden-
tial tuft hunters are now hot on the trail Of
General Grant "Old Abe" as it appears, has
run Secretary Chase completely off the track;
but military eclat and public opinion may rule of
"Old Abe" General Grant may be the rising
sun, before whom all Office seekers and spoils-
men will be compelled to bow in 1865. Who
knows? At all events the list Of signers to
the invitation extended to General Grant the
other day to visit this metropolis shows that
some of the leading Lincoln politicians, as we'll
as those of the Chase clique are anxious to beat
to the windward of the hero of the West.
Among the signatures to the invitation in ques-
tion, mixed in with Moses Taylor, w. B. Astor,
Shepherd Knapp and other deadheads, we find
the names Of Thomas McElnath, financial mana
ger of the Tribune; Leonard W. jerome and
Henry J. Raymond, of the Daily Times, and w.
G. Bryant, the venerable Waterford" poet of
the Post; and these men, we dare say, were the
real contrivers Of this aforesaid invitation.
Their objects, we guess, were, first, to get
hold of General Grant and to manipulate
him; and secondly, to be right upon the record
should the General prove not only too much
for JEFF Davis, but too strong among the people
for "Honest Old Abe."
The Tribune, since the shelving Of Chase, is
all at sea; the Times, though devoted to Lin
coin, is always ready for better bargain; the
Post, though suspected Of weakness for Ere
mont, keeps sharp eye upon the main chance,
and beats about the bush with the discretion Of
an old cmpaigner. But Gen. Grant has dis
appointed them all. He has no idea of being
manipulated by these New York newspaper
spoils politicians, and no disposition to figure
as the puppet Of o rsree show. He has other
fish to fry. The business Of arranging the COM
binations Of the grand campaign about to open,
East and West, is in his hands; and honest men,
devoted to the great cause Of the country, can
not but admire the way in which he goes about
II. Our Presidential tuft hunters must be
patient and bide their time; for We venture to
say that they will not have the opportunity to