Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-29

The SOuthern Armies-Thetr Exact
Composition and their Numerical
Strength-DetaiI al account OF Tn e r
OrganizatiOn-275 Disciplined
Troops-f3O,OOO Under Lee-rhe
Comm anders of Departments, Their
SubOrdsnateS and the Forces Unde r
Them-Southern Estimate of Gene
raj Grant.
Correspondence Of the New York World.
BALTIMORE, March %.
WHAT THE SOUTH HAS LEARNED DURING THE
Now that the spring campaign is about to open
under auspices more favorable than in the past
inasmuch as the Federal armies will be under
one head il is of the utmost consequence to- as
certain dehni' ely the military strength and the
pl ans of the Confederates for the campaign oil
1864. | am fortunately in possession of the
facts which enable me to give you the exact com
position and numerical strength OF the Southern
armies. and the plans which the Southern leaders
have agreed upon for the spring and summer
campaigns.
Three wears of war have learned the South
many valuable lessons Many of these lessons
they have learned from their enemies; but they
are none the less valuable 10 them on that &C
count They have never committei the error OF
undertaking the power of the North They have
from the first been convinced of the determine
ton on the part of the North TO conquer and
subdue them: and they have from the first deter
mined that they would not be conquered or sub
dued.
THE SOUTH DEPENDS UPON GESKRALsHIP, DiscI-
PLINE, STRATEGY, AND NOT ON NUMBERS.
The most useful Of all lessons that they nave
learned ano the one which they will put in prac-
tice the most during the campaign of this year
s. that success ia war does not depend upon
large armies. but upon good generalship and
strategy on the part of the officers and upon dis
cpne on the part OF their soldiers have the
figures. and will produce them in II subsequent
letter. which show that at no period during III,
war have the Southern armies exceeded one hall
the numbers of the Federal troops. During tbs
campaigns OF 1864. the South will not have ono
third of million of men in the field. while th'
Northern armies will exceed million But ev
cry man in the Confederate ranks will be "A well
disciplined solder; and their armies will be lee
by Generals OF tried and proved ability.
SOUTHERN ESTIMATE OF GENERAL GRANr-THEl
ARE PLEASED WITH HIS ELEVATION
The plans OF the southern leaders for th,
campaigns OF 1864. are based in great measure
but not entirely, upon what they have OWNED o
the plans and designs OF the Administration a
Washington. IL may strike YOUR readers with
surprise but it is nevertheless fact, that tn,
any great change in the results of the war irou
General Grants recent elevation They do no
dread his plans. as they did (and would) tn,
plans of Mcclellan They do not regard hin
as possessing military genius OF high order
Not counting Mcclellan. there no less than v,
other Generals in the Union army who are IA
more dreaded by them than General Grant. The,
regard General Grant n being in the same class
a. regards military ability. with Generals Meade
" / sherman. Fitz John Porter. Wool. and
Rosecrans. The probabilities OF his elevation
10 the chief command have been subject OF de
bate at Richmond for some weeks IL such /
step was taken. II believed by the southern
leaders that II would be political move on tn,
part OF the Administration. and that II would uo
be made a military measure. or with the view
OF more vigorous prosecution of the war OF
the part of the North. They believe that Il
General Grant had been left where ne was, ant
II he had been furnished with troops enough and
supplies enough that he would have given then
considerable trouble in the " est during the wear
tor they believe that his military abilities Ar.
fully equal 10 the direction OF a vigorous cam
paisn IN that acid. But they believe that hi,
elevation TO the chief command Nil be positiv,
advantage TO them for three reasons First, be
cause hi. attention will be Withdrawn from th,
West. which will enable them TO carry out the
plans there Second. because they believe there
Is only Que man in the North who j. capsule oil
directing ne operations of the Wal whole
AMI OF planning campaign, tor the general con
due; oi the war; anu General Grant Is not thai
man. And. third because they believe land th.
belief j. founded ou authentic Intelligence which
they have received from verv high source II
" shingSoDl that il Is the intention OF N.
President 70 plan The campaigns. aud 10 direc
the movements and operations of the Unior
armies himself. and 10 compel General Grant q
divalge rs plans 10 him. The existence Of thb
state OF things will they believe. enable them e
carry ont successfully their plans TOR the cam
paign a 1864.
The following 10 the organization. disposition