New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-16
TEE DssAsTER IN TEsNEssEE.

TIsE pssAsTER IN TEsNEssEE.
Viewed from military standpoint, the cap
ture Of Fort Pillow is more annoying than
alarming, and is by no means to be regarded as
the prelude to any concerted effort for closing
the Mississippi to navigation. Details Of the
expeditonary force which Forrest commands
are lacking, but if We may assume it to consist
wholly or mainly ofcayalry, mounted infantry
and light artillery, and 10 comprise not over
5000 men of all arms, we are justified in saying
that il is inadequate to attempt much more to
accomplish. any operations of permanent import
ance. Palucah was attacked, and though the
Rebels obtained q temporary possession OF the
town, and carried away some plunder, they were
beaten of from the Fort by Col. Hicks
and his gallant six hundred Sinng by
that DISGRACE, the Rebel commander caused 1t
to be given out that only portion OF his force
had appeared before the deienscs of Paducah;
and it was industricusly suggested, by such
journals as are commonly well informed in
what the Rebels desire to have the North be-
| lieYe. that Forrest himself was making for the
heart of kentucky, and had recalled his
defeated band to the main body. He was
known, however, to have subsequently lin
gered in the vicinity Of Columbus, and
no rumors of his approach toward any
point east of Paducah have been heard since
/ that time. Instead of advancing, he may have
found reason to be concerned for his own safety,
or at least for an uninterrupted retreat. We
can hardly suppose that 10 measures have been
/ taken since the attack on Paducah TO intercept
force that was capable of being completely
isolated and destroyed. IL now appears how
ever, that he has leisurcly rctraced his course,
and marching for Northern Mississippi, stays his
steps long enough to snatch the easy prize
which Oyer-c0nfidence and unaccountable care
les'ncss on our part offered to his hasty grasp.
1t is said-though the assertion is scarcely
more than tolegraphic guesswork-that the
Rebels were TO move at once on Memphis. A
letter from our correspondent in that city
dated April states that there was great
alarm about an expected attack. II
seemed certain, however, that a part Of For
rests force had been sent toward the Tennessee
River, with a view To escaping south. Gen.
Grerson was known to be in pursuit, but with
an inadequate force. The Rebel force that took
Fort Pillow was demonstrating near by on the
might of the 9th, and on the eth the enrolled
militia Of Memphis were under arms, and there
was 4 manic among the citizens.
Aside from the modification which the loss
of that city will occasion it is Of small import
ance whether or not it shall be taken. The
loss of military stores and Of other property,
the calamity to the town ITSELF and the injury
to the prestige of the National cause in Western
Tennessee, are something, but they do not fall
within the list of serious disasters, for the mis-
fortunes must at the worst be temporary. For
rest may take Memphis-judging from the
weakness of one of its adjacent defenses he may
be expected TO take it with little trouble or loss
but he cannot hold either town or fort. II is
incredible that any strong Rebel infantry force
should be either with Forrest or near enough to
profit by his sudden success. On the other
hand, we have troops enough within few days
sail either to reinforce or to retake the place.
1t is not quite impossible that the garrison is
now stronger than we suppose, but the condi-
ton in which Fort Pillow was permitted to
remain after it was known to be menaced gives
little hope of precautionary measures in any
quarter. Meanwhile we hear-not without
inpatience-of the progress Of two powerful
expeditions far west of the Mississippi.
OF the savage slaughter of tho surrendered
garrison Of this Fort, why should We speak
1t has long been clear to us that the Rebel
leaders meant to impress upon this struggle
every possible feature Of cruelty. Leaders and
people alike are brutalized by long familiarity
with the horrors of slavery--horors unwrit.
ten and unimagined among civilized nations.
They have hitherto in some measure restrained
and so far as possible concealed their ferocity,
in Difference to the opinion of European
Powers whom they hoped to cOnciate. Cher.
ishing no longer any belief in the possibility o.
European recognition, they are less scrupuloui
in preserving appearances, aud whereas belor'