Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-25

The present active campaign In the field, concen.
trated as it mainly Is upon the lines OF GRANT
and SHERMAN has already continued longer, and
with more terrible destruction OF human lie,
than any previous campaign OF this war, or, pro-
baby Of any other war oil modern times In
the present temper Of the opposing parties We cannot
set any limit to its duration, since it is nearly certain
from the indications before u.s. that when the Lnconite
hordes abandon the offensive that role will be vgor-
ously assumed by the Confederates.> At every turn
GRANT has found himself checked, defeated and used
up, and his campaign against Richmond having result
ed in failure, is pretty much at an end. 1t is now
LEES turn and be- may be assured, will avail him
self of oil the advantages which the situation may pre-
sent.
As yet the enemy in Georgia are on the offensive
and are able in some measure to dictate movements
rather than have them dictated by our commanders
We think the time is not distant when our army of
Tennessee, under General HOOP will be in position
to assume the offensive, and the enemy, instead of
threatening Us, will find himself threatened by u.s. and
be compelled to adopt measures for his own safety
measures which, trust will be less successful than
such have proved to be in former campaigns.
Through Northern channels we have heard that
KIRBY SMITH, with portion OF the trans Mississippi
army, is crossing, has crossed, to this side
Would it surprise any one if something of what we
have often heard should turn out to be sol Suppose
we SHOULD suddenly discover that thousands OF the
conquerors of BANKS were ready to cooperate with
HOOD in driving back SHERMAN and relieving Georgia,
Tennessee and Mississippi the thing need not excite
any wonder at any rate we regard the matter
tremeIy probable. We shall see, and we may also
see the campaign in the Southwest instead of ending
where it began close with the Yankees driven much
beyond the point from which they started and large
portion OF Confederate territory redeemed-relieved
from Federal possession and assuming and holding ts
place under the Confederate banner.
To all this we look forward with strong hope but rot
with anything approaching absolute certainty for
are fully aware of the vicsstudes of and are pre-
pared to meet even further disaster without due de-
PRESTON and without any abatement of hope and conf
dence in the ultimate success OF our cause
So far as the seasons concerned the campaign 10
the field may be continued for two months but
think that before that time has elapsed the mutual
hauston of the combatants will virtually enforce
mistice-a pause in the efforts of the grand armies
The call made by LINCOLN for five hundred thousand
additional men by the fifth of September, will not be
filed by voluntary enlistment at that time, nor can the
process of drafting bring that number or any consider
able portion of it together in time for the campaigns of
1864 Should MIR. LINCOLN be defeated for President in
November his zeal in organizing and preparing the force
to act under bis SUCCESSOR in the ensuing Spring, will
suffer a very decided diminution. On the contrary,
should be be reelected, he will, doubt push 1t for
ward with all the energy in bis power.
as the violence of the main campaigns abates, may
not during the Fall and Winter of the present year.
and the Spring of the next, look for demonstrations
upon coasts by troops longer needed or which
can no longer be usefully employed in the held We
have so far, enjoyed a remarkable immunity from at
tack, but upon the continuance of this immunity we
have right to calculate, especially the blockade
running at this port, and The immense advantages de-
rived therefrom by the Confederacy have become the
theme of frequent comment by the press OF the North
and the attention of the LINCOLN authorities has ben
frequently and forcibly called to the fact
We do not wish to act the part of aarmists, but
may well look the state of things in the face, and
be prepared to meet it, should it come. 1t is with
this view that state opinion as to the proba
bity of attack even here It is true that yet we
have not been attacked, and this for reasons with
which we not acquainted. But this affords no
guarantee CT what may may not take place hereafter
We rather think the pressure at the North will almost
compel the enemy to make demonstration at least,
with the view of breaking up this nest OF blockade
runners we use the words of our enemies. We
Judge this from fading so many and such pointed refer
to this place. and the necessity of taking it, in all
hands.