Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-02-04

bach Of thb river, aud crossing N9eva
WheoitnR, TO occupy rhine stretching rom
the "PRn-handle" 10 Lake Erie, thua bis
secting the territory of the loyal States,
and, by holding or destroying 81 the rail-
roads, to seperate the East from the West.
He admitted this could not be done without
eucountering great difficulties, and perhaps
fighting great battle at the start some
where on the Ohio river. But" said he
to General Lee, "all ordinary difficulties
know you can surmounl; the enemy cannot
concentrate an army to oppose your one.
hundred thousand veterans before you fly
our flag in sight of the British subjects on
the hitherto shore of Lake Erie, aud be-
lieve the circumstance will insure our i'm >
mediate recognition by the powers Of
Europe. | sm not fearful of the result of
battles, which know must be fought to
accomplish this, for something tells me
that before die l shall exult in the glad
tidings of great and overwhelming VIC
tory by you over our Oppressors upon their
own soil, and firmly believe the next time
you meet the enemy on free soil, my hopes
will be realized"
General Lee had many objections to the
rebel Presidents plan. He admitted the
argument about recognition but insisted
there were difficulties in the way of success
which could not be surmounted In the
first place he presented the fact that a
rebel army of one hundred thousand men
would have to carry its supplies some two
hundred miles over tho worst roads in the
country; and the nsportation necessary
WAS not TO be had besides had they the
means at command the progress of the
army would be so delayed by the immense
| trains, it would be impossible to succeed
Secondly, it would take twenty days, under
any circumstances, to advance to Wheel
| ing, and in that time the Federals could
confront him with an equal number of
troops and thirdly, he might succeed IN
penetrating north of the Ohio, and estab-
fishing his line as far as Lake Erie, but
be could be meuaced on both TANKS at the
same time, while his rear and lines of com
munlcation would be most iuvitiuplv ex,
posed TO attack and occupation by the
enemy.
In conclusion, the rebel general present
ed his owe plan, which was as follows :
To give Johnston seventy-fve thousand
troops, and Longstreet the same number:
the former to keep Grant employed in
front, while the latter would retake Knox
vile and East Tennessee. Lonps.reet's
success would turn Grants left flank, and,
If the latter did not then fall back from
Chattanooga to Nashville, be could ad-
vance to Middle Tennessee. and, menacing
his rear and line of supply and commuuio
cation, force him TO retreat under the most
favorable circumstances. Grant once on
the move, Johnston would follow him
closely, and, uniting with Longstreet, the
two could drive him to the Ohio river.
''Then Kentucky is ours" said Gen. Lee.
'give Johnston and Longstreet this MANY
troops; let them start Grant out of Chatta-
wooga, and then unite their forces before
he could fall on either separately, and
ever, and carry the war into Kentucky.
where, believe, it will end"
Which ofthese plans were finally adopt
ed, my Informant cannot certainly tell; but,
ne believes that the execution of one o t
the two is now being arranged, and it is
very likely Gen. Lees programme.
T. s. To avoid misapprehension, will
state that my informant is not Jeff Davis
body servant. who, report says, has lately
arrived from Richmond, and had hearing
at the War Department