The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-07-15
The situation at Atlantis. i.

Through the courtesy OF Mr. w G Barnes we re-.
eeived last night copies OF the Atlanta papers OF
the 10Th Inst The CoBfederacy has the following
relative TO the position there
We shall not attempt to iaH to a fancied seen
rity the readers Of the Csfederasy by the declara
ton that Atlanta Is not In immiaent peril. Its
capture, however, cana0t be considered a lore
gone conclusion.
The river is of incaicu'abie advantage 10 Gen
johnston, aud his adversary will encounter great
risks In the attempt TO Cross it. Operating upon
the radius OF semi circle, our cOmmander-in
chief Is enabled to briug up his reserves with
greater Iapidity aud TO anticipate any concenira-
ton of The enemy. Sherman has not yet apassed
the Rubieon, and his greatest peril will be when
he has fairly commenced that hazardous um der
taking. Ii he divides, 10 at separate points,
Johnston eau also divide; if h concentrates at INV
given point, Johnston will do the same if he TANKS
10 the left right, attempts any maj ayre 10 ac
cOmplish the passage OF the river he Will be anuci
paied.
AZ the case now stands the advantage Of post-
tion Is altogether with Gen Johnston. II he cam
not make u successful battle, or hold the enemy In
check along the ChatIahoochee, he cannot npy
where below IL, aud the only temporary check
would In that event be the capture OF Atlanta,
purpost Nv threw at The feet Of the rHpici0s inya-
der TO siay his appetite for cOHquest.
We have no doubt The Federat G.neraf would,
with the capture of Atlanta, be satisfied with the
result OF his raid. He would garrison and fortiiy
IL, and make IL the base Of future Operations
Whether II would be recapured or NOT won d be q
mere nlatur OF speculation.
Stratrgicaliy, the possession Of this city would
not be oi SD much ADVANTAGE 10 the tsierals as in
Its moral effect upon the NONhern populace. Its
tail would he equivalent 70 fifty thousand fresh
recruits from the Northern States, while IL would
certalnly have a tendency 10 stimulate the war.
split and Tekindie the anatca al enthusiasm of the
Yankees everywhere. Cold would tall rapidly in
New York, and the political prospects OF Lincoln
and johnson would rise i'll proportion. Therefore,
we thiHk the Confederate authorities, appreciating
these cons. quences, vi mol yield IL without an
earnest dispute of every avenue of approach To
The city.
The Fedefa!s are still at considerable distance
from o nr subuTbs. With far better strategist
than sherman, they have Il; one time approae he q
within four miles of Richmond, and YET the streets
of ths Confederate capital are uupoiluted by the
tread of Northern soliiefy. They may even ap-
proach a. near to AT anita, but If the way Is brave
" contested, IL may be as safe as Rie hmond ever
wss,
We caaBot, OF course, purchase The uncertain
trial OF defence of Atlanta with the loss of an
army like Oufe There IS too much territory sill
10 be fought over and defended, and TOO Kreal q
staks depending bpon the preservation Of John
siOh's army, to waste 1. In any engagement which
Is not decisive, and In which victory is rot al
least within the range OF probability Rherman
may, with q force numerically superior, outf an d
Gen Johnston, but he cannot 80 easily cuthank
Gen Johnston and the Chat ttahoochee river to
gether.
Save the rumble and dust OF wagons upon hel
pavements, Atlanta appears TO day as quiet as i
there was not u Yankee In North Georgia There
Is no panic, nor any exciting cause ior Ii w,
are satisfied that Gen Johnston is a better Fiei'
Marshal ihan either Sherman or ourselves, an.
with him We rep0se the issue, be II what /
may.