Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1864-09-10
PUBLISHED [DAILY) BY
EDGAR SNOWDEN, JR.
me- OFFICE-No. 104 King street, over
s,one's formerly French's) Book Store.
The CAPTURE Of Atlanta.


The capture of Atlanta marks an epoch III
the campaign of 1864. The enemy promised
himself much by this achievement tie seem
cd 70 think that the possession OF Atlanta
won]d suader the South into two additional
narts. as completely distinct as the divisions
et~ east and west of the Mississippi He will
som realize his mistake Atlanta had pecu-
La value derived from the railroads which con-
verged there. But it's chief value was lost
when the road leading into Eastern and West,
ern Tennessee was cut off at Chattanooga and
Knoxville thing that was done as long ago
As December last. The only special importance
which then attached to the place Was It's being
on the most direct line of roads from Rich
mond to Montgomery. These roads are now
blockaded at that point by the enemy; but
other roads remain open, and the way is not
shut even by railroad communication. The
truth is. no particular inland town IN Georgia.
or the interior country il it embrace no col!ec-
0on of toundres aud factories, possesses any
vital Importance in a military point OF view.
The great necessity in Georgia is the preser,,
yaton of an army capable OF making head
against Sherman, and prepared to strike a de-
oisjve blow if he attempt to detach his forces
in different directions for the purpose OF gen
era occupation and subjugation. The business
Of Confederate army there is TO watch oher
man, and compel him to cautious concentra
tration of his troops. The chief source OF anx
ety is in regard to the morale OF HOOD sol.
diers. No man ever left an army more confident
in him, professionally, or attache7 to hiln per-
sonallv. than General Johnston. In that point
Of view his removal was deplorable measure.
But it was noble army when that general lett
It, and it is scarcely possible that it should have
entirely lost it's spirit since Nothing is need
ed to completely reinstate our fortunes N
Georgia but the assignment to that army OF
such commander as will at once secure It's
confidence. If the country could only see
that done it would gladly dismiss all regret tor
tue loss of Atlanta.
For the situation even in Georgia, the only
held in which it presents an untav0rable aspt CT,
is By no means discouraglng. by dlnt OF
heavy expenditure of means, energy, ana men,
the enemy have reached the centre OF North
Georgia but if we compare the cost OF this
expedition with the results realized, we lind
nothing to warrant despondency. lie has had
/ 70 give ur East Tennessee and leave nearly all
! Of West Tennessee open to Confederate incur
adns He has had almost to abandon Mlssls-
appi and Alabama. Even Kentucky has been
lett unprotected, and the north bank OF the
Ohio has been threatened To maintain his
ong line Of communication and make headWay
into Georgia, he has had to e1 1acuate immense
ostricts of country already overrun, which
Would have yielded him thousand times more
value than the region Of Georgia which he has
9solated. Like the dog crossing, the stream,
s has let 60 what was substantial to plunge
ater shadow. 1t will cost him more men
sad money to maintain himself at Atlanta than
Would to subjugate and possess any TWO
nyIlstes which he had occupied, and has now
SsQdpned.