Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-05

The anxiety to hear further details from
Thomas is very great throughout the en-
tire community. Ohio is very largely rep
resented iu the forces now under his COM
mand as well as in those under Sherman.
The theory we announced on Saturday
morning, namely, that Hood would break
awsy from his base Of operations at Flor
ence, on t. & Tennessee, and attempt 70 ef-
feet q junction with Breckinridge, in East.
ern Tennessee, and finally re-snforce Lee,
seems to us more probable as new facts are
elected bearing upon the problem. 1t is
Impossible to believe that Hood, dar-
ing and desperate as no is, will
attempt an attack upon Thomas in the en-
,renchment, about Nashville with the
gisw of taking the place. His army is in
sufHcient ard Thomas is far too strong,
s. fecially since its reinforcement by A j.
Smiths Corps. The theory and facts ststea
1y US on Saturday sre strengthened by the
following views taken by the New York
Times Of Saturday morning 5ls
We have no idea that he will undertake
to lttack General Thomas, heavily rein
forced by Smiths corps, and posted in one
of the strongest Federal fortresses. Meth
or do we suppose he will attack Murfrees-
boro', which is 3 most thoroughly defended
stronghold. Probably he will move TO the
south, br the railroad to Chsttsnoogs,
-urn the bridges over the Tennessee, raid
through that. portion of the State, and then,
breaking loose from his base at Florence,
,urn easteriy towards Knoxville. He can
easily feed O,OGO men in the country at
this season of the year, and when he
reaches the region beyond Knoxville, he
can have a new bsss in Virginia and unite
with Brackinridges victorious corps. -l ---
In East Tennessee, at tive different pc
riods, the large corps of Burnside and Long
street were respectively fed on the country
for months Hoods army could be equally
supported now, unless war has already
swsptaway the hsryests. A
By the movement we have supposed,
one Of the great injuries inflicted by SheF-
mans advance would be repaired by the
rebels, and Lees and hoods armies be put
N connection, and, in fact in nearer con-
nection than ever.
The "Army Of the Southwest would
rsinforce the army of Virginia" while
Lee forwarded forces to meet ShermRn's s
victorious progress or Hood and BTeckin-
ridge could combine for sn invasion OF
Kentucky, which would supply the rebel
cornrnis ariat with beef for the winter.
Hoods army has been lamed, but prcb-
ABLY not severely enough to prevent his
making this movement across Central
Tennessee. The couHtry he would aban-
don by it Northern Alabama and Mis-
sissippi) is not worth defending, Hewould
intlict immense damage on Tennessee, and,
what is worse, would further the general
strategic plans of the rebel campaign.
But there are, on the other hsndy great
and obvious dangers which msy deter him,
or which would threaten him. if he at
tempted this movement.
on Thanks TO General Rosecrans, the line
retWeen Nashville and Chattanooga is q
succession of fort esses. These he must
sake which he has not time to door
cave in his rear. Behind him WillfollOw
choice army of veterans under
Thomas, already victoTi US, and
pressing him hard. Before him is
. fortress 4KnoxviBe-=Where ten thousand
men could hold hundred thousand at bay
for months If be stops TO besiege he
must fight Thomas in his rear end be liAble
10 saliies in front The question of sup,
/ shes may also become a serious ones Still
SeineIine to the belief that Hood viii at
tempt this combination with Breckinridge
and that he may succeed. East Tennessee
viii not imprObsbly be the scene Of heavI
battles this winter. sG -s7lo. .a- 3
Business is brisk at the Oharlestown Ma
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