The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-20

THE GRAND PLAN FOR THE SPRING
AMPAlGN.-MEMpEIs, Tenn, February
12-In my letter Of the Sd inst, stated
that the great cavalry expedition of
Generals w. L. Smith and Grierson, was
to leave its rendezvous east Of this place On
that evening. That was the plan and the
expectation, and there is reason to fear
that its failure TO get off at that time may
bring somewhat Of confusion to Sherman's
arrangements, inasmuch as the cavalry is
take prominent part in the general
operations IN which Sherman is engaged.
The cavalry force, however, did not get of
until last evening (Thursday.l One who
was at La Grange when they started. Ge-
scribes the cayalcade as most imposing
affair. The cause Of the delay was the de-
tention OF division that came down from
above.
A more extensive, thoroughly equipped,
or effective army Of mounted men has
never been seen in this country. ] do not
understand the details of its organization,
nor its exact numbers, these being facts
that have purposely been kept secret, IN
order to keep the enemy in the dark as to
its effectiveness. This much, however, /
can state: The expedition consists Of two
grand divisions, one ofwhich is command
ed by General Smith, who is General
Grants Chief Of Cavalry, and q most
thorough and capable officer, and the 9TH
er 10y General Grierson, who SO indispu-
tably proved his leadership in the famous
raid he made through the State of Missis-
Sippi last summer. These two divisions
are to seperate, as learn, after the expe-
dition reaches a certain point, but to move
in such way as to be still in cooperation.
1t took southerly direction, towards
Holly Springs, and will strike across the
country, through Mississippi and into Ala
bama, where Forrest, the rebel cavalry
chief is said to have force organized for
offensive purposes in connection with an
army, the Right Reverend Bishop Gener-
al Polk has gathered somewhere along the
line OF the Mississippi and Atlantic Rail-
road.
Tocut of FOrres. and rout or capture
Polk will probably be the first move on
this military chess board, Sherman and
the cavalry acting in concert to that end
But it is needless to speculate. We will
learn soon enough what will come out Of
the active operations that Gen. Grant has
thAs early, inaugUrated.
1have already Informed you that these
are but the beginning Of the
Of grand plan that has been
arranged by Gen. Grant, (after advice and
consultation with Gen. Halleck) for the
spring campaign in the Cuff States. This
will soon be demonstrated bv actual events.
in this Grand Divisiul is not confined 10
the ex peditiOns now moving in MISSISSIPPI
pi. The Army Of the Cumberland has q
part to act, and very important one, in
this general scheme, and if that army il
not already pulling up stakes" South OF
Chattanooga, for a push southwark Az
am sadly mistaken.
Your reporter with Sherman's army sent
me = mere item by the last steamer up from
Vicksburg, namely: "Gunboats gone MP
the Yazoo-army marching on-whipped
rebels in several skirm:shes-all right
will be in Jackson Tonight This is dated
the 4tb. Doubtless Sherman has ere this
full possession Of jackson, and is moving
on. 1t will be difficult to get reports Of
these movements in the future from this
The line of communication will
soon be established via Nashville. The
military nthorities-especially Sherman
are provokingly suspicious Of newspaper
reporters, and are unwilling TO let them
know q word about what is going to be
done, and they can report nothing except
what has been done or is doing. You will,
! trust, soon hear from your reporter via
ashyille. In the meantime will con-
tinue % keep you posted from this direc-
ton as far az possible and as promptly a.
usual.-C0g. Chicago Journal.