Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-11-24

tb;ro more than a rnmor-vhich indicates an energy
which ia unexpected and astonishing and promises tnat
tie wear will close with victories even more iustrons
than those which have studded its summer and spring
with stars.
Gen. sherman has burned Atlanta. Thomas, with
two corps is left to watch Hood, while Sherman with
FIVE corps is said to be marching Charleston s.
g. If this is only half true it is great news. II Sher-
man aims at Charleston, it is already doomed. Ap-
preaching from andward he will find entrenched city
with its strongest works fronting the sea without
garrison to defend it, and without the hope OF reinforce
ment. The legons which drove before them the second
army of the rebellion and wrested from it Atlanta al
most easily mans iron fingers could unlock the
closed hand of woman, will find at Charleston moth
ing that they cannot overcome.
Nor need Sherman fear for the territory he has con-
quered or that which the enemy teigns to threaten
All the land in Georgia that Hood wants he may have
Init not ono foot of Tennessee The mere fact that the
cauous Sherman has turned bis back on bis Old battle
fields and given the keys OF the West into the hands Of
Thomas is sufficient evidence of his contempt OF his zoe
and his faith nhis representative. Now we may ap-
precate the strategic value OF Atlanta ana see &c" us
capture has freed the armies OF the west.
But is Charleston worth this overland march LIS II
good policy to transfer great army the heart
of the country to the seaboard2 1t may be-. We can
afford the time and trouble to take this city, which has
so long b. flied monitors and raed guus. Merely a:
poetical vengeance its capture might be JustlabIe
piece omilitary seltindulgence, even had tue city nc
pre- ctical value to
VT Sherman may never reach Charleston. la the
course of his march be may find reasons 10 cnange It.
He NAV think Wilmington better worth days siege
Savannah demaud for instant unconditional sarren-
dr. or even Richmond the trouble OF forced march
ADD by the way, what a mastery campaign that
would be- which, beginning with the capture OF Allan
Ia should end with the OF Shermans troops with
GRANTS and the surrender of Richmond to this in
mense IND Irresistible army
What if all Grants recent movements had been 10
endd 10 prevent the escape OF LIE, and curely holo
bim until Sherman should arrive and complete he bal
circle Of blue arLupd the rebel capital Such move
ne ut would show Grant to be surpassed oy only one
soldier OF the century, and, executed with energy
Roul1 end the rebellion almost at once. 1t would rlYa
the greatest victories of Napoleon. Yes, il Sherman
,uld safely leave Thomas to merely confront Hood
ana could reinforce Grant with hy thousand men, tht
capture of Lees whole army would be the inevitable
result.
Yet this is but one OF the dreams of War. Five bun
dred miles in enGmys country are not easily passed
tyen with the aid of railroads. and without the oppos
ton of al army. If the report that Sherman MAI
on Charleston is not believed in the military circles al
Washington we need not rest hopes upon his ad-
vance on Richmond Yet the one imposslblity is not
exceeded by the other. Enough that the realities are
50 glorious do the negotiations of vic
tory 10 put color and fire into our taIth In the war
Sherman IS not needed at Richmond, or he would b,
there nov.
The situation is not particularly encouraging, but ne
do not think that it need give rise to any panic SHER
MAN will be checked before he reach any of his u
innate objective points, and check to army situa
ted bis is, would appear to be little short of ruin
Before going press look of further and important
news from Georgia.