The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1864-05-04
The Battles of the Year.

The military campaign Of the year thus
far has resulted in discontinue or disaster
to the Federal arms. General Sherman's
expedition in February, the first event oi
the campaign. was not only fruitless, but
failed to accomplish its purpose. Generals
Grerson and Smith we're ioiled in the at.
tempt to join Sherman, and wore driven
back with large losses BY General Forrest.
The battle o. Oulstee, in Florida with the
slaughter OF fifteen hundred brave men, end
ed Mr.. Llncon's unworthy scheme to estab'
lish new order OF Government in that State.
General Palmet's corps Of the Army OF the
Cumberland, in making reconnaissance
near Dalton, lost thousand man, snd was
beaten back Southwest Krntucdy was
overrun by General Buford with impunitV
and various towns and gsrrisons were cap'r
red; while General Forrest occupied nearly
all the tertiary west Of Tennessee in that
State. excepting Memphis. and captured
Fort Pillow after bloody fight. He also
added thousands Of recruits to his ARMY. and
secured a vast lumber Of horses and cattle,
which be sent South. Plymouth has fallen,
and its stores. munitions Of war and garrison
OF fifteen hundred or more are in the hands
of the Confedefa ss.
These, however were minor engagements,
and insignificant compared with General
Banks deeat in Louisiana. That disaster
may involve the surrender OF what advau-
tsges the Federals had acquired in that State
That he has suffered a tremendous defeat
admits not OF doubt, and hs losses are
now stated TO be at least six thousand killed
wounded and prisoners. Tbev are even
es mated at higher figure 1t is likewise
rumored that the army will All back to
alexandria. distant one hundred miles, if
indeed it should not retreat to the MisSis
sIpi. AT all events, the exp ,dition against
Shreveport has been abandoned, and the
ConfederateS NAV either olow up their sues
cesses and attempt to capture the beaten
army, ar direct their efforts against Steels
column, which was advancing from Arkan
sas The former, however, is most proha
Bile. In the meantime we hear from Wash
ington that Gen Banks is to be relieved Of
his command. .
But, Notwithstanding the, Importance Of
the operations in Louisiana de eat or success
there is but q triling matter compared with
a like event in Virginia or Georgia. These
are the points where great battles will be
fought, and il they are decisive the war may
be fastened to a conclusion. II is probable
the carnage will begin in Virginia, and to
ward THAI blood stained land anxious eyes
are turned. Generals Grant and Lee have
marshalled their mighty hosts, ard already,
we are told, are maneuvering for position.
and at any moment may burl their strength
upon a vulnerable point. From all accounts
Gen. Lee has been largely re enforced BY
Feteran troops, and his armv is represented
to be superior to what it was last year, noe
only in discipline, but in numbers. In fact
there is no reason to believe it inferior TO
that OF Gen Grant II this be true with
equal force, choich Of position. and moving
on interior lines, grave doubts may be en-
tertained of the ultimate succe,s Of the Fed
eral commander. Still he has an array Of
tried valor and has proved his ability to
Moreover, he is lucky" a thing
which the great Napoleon esteemed virtue
in General. So be NAV overcome the obs
stacles in his march to Richmond and win
where others have lost, and thus gam what
IS dear To eoldier's heart. glory and re-
1oWn,-N Y Ne,cs