The Portland daily press., 1864-11-22
General Sherman.

General Sherman.
The public mind in the loyal States as well
as in rebeldom has been much agitated oil late
in relation to the movements OF this able and
adroit General There has been SO much
doubt and perplexity hanging over the mat
ter that the public is very anxious to learn
his whereabouts, and what he 10 going to do
next. This is very laudable solicitnde on
the part of the loyal States, and very nat
ural one on the part Of the rebels. He has
heretofore been SO successful In all his move.
ments thus far that our people have great
confidence In him and expect much from
him. nF9.
The Louisville Journal says, che is con-
structing one OF the grandest enterprises that
was ever originated by fertile brain OF mil
itary genius, and we are convinced tna1 tne
leading objects of the undertaking viii Dc ac-
complished and the effort will be perfect
success" We indulge the same nope. Inis
journal further saws, 1--WE are not at liberty 10
mention in what theatre this expedition is
likely to operate, nor to mention its numerical
strength or It's Interior designs" Now such
remarks as the above only serve to intensity
the anxiety of the people to learn more with
out giving them any reliable or satisfactory
information.
That this persevering officer is on the alert
and has projected some movement Of more
than ordinary character, there can be no
doubt. 1t seems from the most reliable in
formation that we can obtain, he has abandon
ed Atlanta as point of but little consequence
now, and laid waste the country around that
city. All the arsenals, foundries and rolling
stock In Atlanta have been destroyed. All
the factories, mills and foundries from Chat
tanooga to Atlanta, and miles beyond, have
also been destroyed. sa
A general preparation seems to have been
made for some grand movement through the
heart of rebeldom. In the absence OF relis-
BILE information on the subject, we cannot with
any degree of certainty tell what his objective
points are. We might allude to several i'm
portant ones, and after all not hit upon the
true one; hence we have thought our silence
would be quite as judicious as our specuis-
lions. i4a H3
We have no desire to turn out false prophets
on this or any other question merely for the
sake of relating aattering tales to our readers.
We have seen enough of that recently in tie
copperhead journals to give us wholesome
warning, II we had it not from other sources.
Thus far we have cast our horoscope with
some degree of accuracy, and intend to keep
on the same course so far as the wildness and
disorder of the political skies will warrant.
Whether Sherman has started for Charles
ton, Mobile or Savannah, remains to be seen.
His destination he has thus far kept secret,
and no doubt for wise purposes. The distance
to either of the above cities is great, and
might appall any other officer who did not
know SO well as he does how to use the legs
of his army.
From Atlanta to Augusta is 40 miles
from Augusta to Charleston 120 miles, to Sa-
vannah 136 miles. From Atlanta to Mont
gomery, once the capital of the Confederacy,
is ZAP miles, and from Montgomery to Mobile
1917 miles. With a knowledge of these dis
tances our readers will see the magnitude Of
the enterprise. Aa
But distances do not offer the only, nor the
most insurmountable Instructions to the
progress of an army. Mountain ranges, large
rivers, broad lakes and extensive and impassa-
BILE swamps are more difficult to be overcome.
None of these are in the way. The rivers are
but mill-streams, and no mountain barriers
will rise up before him to impede his prog
ress to either Of the above named objective
points.
In whatever direction Sherman and his ar
my may go in their march to the Gulf, they
will hnd abundant supplies on the way. The
country has not been SO devastated by war as
other sections of rebellion have been, and
when the Atlantic coast is reached, food and
aid will meet them there. In that region of
country the rebels have no military force
Sherman will have occasion to fear, and so the
way seems clear for grand march through
the very heart Of rebellion, and Sherman and
his brave boys will improve it.
Gen. Sherman has made some movements
that greatly perplexed the authorities at Rich
mond. They once thought he was gone, but
he only passed to Resaca, then turned TO the
South and finally reached Atlanta again
That movement completely threw the rebels
of the scent, and ever since they have been
watching him with intense interest. This
officer knows what he is about and that is of
far more consequence to the country than cur
knowledge of his movements would be. He
has noble army under his command, ready
for any emergency, and we expect to hear
good news from him in due time. We can af-
ford to wait.
A triumphant march of our army through
that section Of the country would be stag
gering blow to the rebellion. We trust the
anticipations Of the Louisville journal will be
fully realized. God speed the right.