The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-13
The Military Lull.

With the exception of expeditions
which could only be properly termed
RAIDS, there has been no oe6pe military
operations during the last four months:
though there can be no question rela-
tive to the fact that no other period Of
equal duration, has witnessed so many.
and such gigantic preparations FOR the
approaching conflict
The lines Of both armies have been
shortened; instead Of stretching from
the Western territories to the Atlantic,
our right now rests On Chattanooga,
and the rebel left covers Dalton. True
there Is a small force in Alabama and
Mississippi, under Polk, and similar
one under Dodge confronting it: but
then these are not armies, as that term
is understood in this country at this
time
Both parties are wearied with series
Of battles which cause frightful loss
Of life, with no decisive result; JEFF
Davis has learned that he cannot keep
ap a long line of defence, without dan
ger Of having it severed; and Grant Is
aware that if he would crush the rebel
lion, he must destroy its military power.
These are the considerations which
are now inducing Il concentration Of
forces such as was never before witnes-
sed on this continent; and which has
seldom found a parallel in Europe, since
the era Of civilization. There exists a
determination on both sides 70 make
the coming struggle decisive; to make
the next battle Waterloo to the de
feated army.
Each party has its ablest commander
in the field at the head Of the main
force; SO that in Virginia, neither will
have much advantage on that score;
but in the West, in the auxiliary de
partment, we have decidedly superior
class Of Generals. Sherman, Thomas,
and Logan, are far the superiors, in
every respect, Of Joe Johnston, and his
Lieutenants; but with reference to the
eentre--a comparison between Soho
field and Longstreet, We fear will be
dissdVantagsous to US.
Thus the matter stands at this time.
Each army being reinforced, as rapidly,
and as efectuslly as possible; each de
termined to fight to the last, and i.
possible annihilate its antagonist The
eyes Of the nation are turned toward the
combatants with the deepest interest
and well they may be-
The result of defeat of the Con
federates would be to reduce their ter
ritories to the State of South Carolina.
portion of Georgia, and Florida. Mis-
sissippi and Alabama will be entirely
abandoned; the Tombigbee viii form
a base Of supplies, and civil organiza-
tons viii spring up, and the States viii
return to their old places in the Union,
but regenerated, and loyalized
The effect upon the North would
likewise be decisive. Government Sc
curities would rise; gold would take
tremendous descent; foreign exchange
would, of course, keep pace with the
precious metals; and, above all, the
cry of the Copperheads would be efec-
tually hushed.
Should Grant, however, be defeated,
the result would be that gold would rise;
American securities fall; another draft
would be ordered; and new energies
be called forth. The copperhead fac
ton would grow bold; would do much
to give aid and comfort to the rebels
and a general depression would exist
throughout tho the loyal States.
But we do not apprehend such a re-
suit True, the rebels are on the de-
fensive, and the advance must be made
by our armies, which will give them
great advantage; but we have no idea
that this viii suffice to give them vic
tory.
We are inclined to believe the cam
paign will not open before May; but
when it does open, there viii be shock
Of arms, which will leave the bloody
struggles of Gettysburg and Chicka-
manga far in the background