The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-11-29
8iftntonS 9ispatfg.
TUESDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 40. ,ss4


and LINEN RAGS, in large small gu Antilles.
The great tactician of the New York
Times does not appear to agree with Ge-
neral Sherman with regard to the rate at
which it is proper for his column to move.
He entertained no doubt that, on the
goth, Sherman was in Augusta, having
passed over the intervening distance Of
one hundred and seventy miles in eight
days; that is to cay, having marched
somewhat more than twenty-one miles
per diem. General Sherman, on the con-
trary, in his general orders, prescribes
march Of fifteen miles day, and ne does
not appear to have been able to do even
that. At least, we do not learn that he
is in Augusta, as he ought to have been
a week ago if that pace had been pre-
served Indeed, we very much doubt
whether he has been able to reach as
much as ten miles per diem. This is
slow rate for flying column. as Sher-
man was supposed to have converted his
army into. 1t would Seem to indicate
that he had not found the people as COM
PLEASANT as he expected them to be when
he cut himself lrose from his base and
destroyed all communication with his
rear by teo.ring up the railroads and burn
ing the towns. Even fifteen miles day
is slow travelling for flying column !;
and we are led, with contemporary,
to doubt whether Sherman meant to place
his army in that category. A flying
column, from its very name, would seem
to indicate a rapidity of movement en-
tirely inconsistent with Sherman's pre-
scribed daily march. He must have
meant something more solid than the
Yankee newspapers gave him credit for.
His proposal to Governor Brown and
Mr.. Stephens, last summer, give evidence
of fixed belief on his part that Geor-
gia was ready to fly into the arms of the
Union as soon as her people could feel
themselves secure under the protection
of Yankee army. The whole tone Of
the Yankee press has been of the same
character, and the probability is, that the
idea was derived from Sherman himself.
or from persons about him supposed to
know his opinions.
There is another theory to account for
Sherman's expedition, but not for the
slow rate which he prescribes to its
movements. tits that the operations of
Hood upon his rear rendered ID utterly
impossible for him to retain his position
at Atlanta. That he was compelled to
move from that locality and to go some
shere. That he had the choice of either
Alabama or Georgia, and that he pre-
ferred the latter. That there is great
deal of truth in this supposition is evil
dent enough. The care which the Van.
kee newspapers take to represent the
movement of Hood as Intellectual and
despicable-the ridicule which they cas-
upon his present. position-their con
slant declaration that Thomas is NOR
than a match for him, and that he ha.
failed entirely-prove it beyond doubt
He has not failed. H. has succeeded If
placing Sherman in a most embarrassing
situation-a situation from which he
could only escape by desperate plunge
which he has taken, and the effect OF
which we shall very shortly witness.
We know nothing of the councils or
designs u the authorities; but we can.
not help strongly suspecting that this
movement Of Hood has had the exact
effect that it was designed to have, and
that this movement of Sherman is le-
gitimate and calculated consequence.
We express this belief without knowing
what, or whether any, provision has been
made for resisting the advance of the
latter, but from the consideration that,
If Sherman reach the ocean, he will
leave the whole country behind him,
from the ocean to the western boundary
Of Alabama, clear Of an enemy. The
entire State of Georgia, and the lower
part of the State of Alabama, will, in
that event. be without the presence of
an enemy. He cannot hold the State of
Georgia by means Of posts, for he has
but fifty-hve thousand men; and should
ne destroy all the railroads, they will
soon be restored. Should he reach the
Atlantic, and, as we suggested several
days ago, sail thence to join Grant or
Sheridan, still he will leave the whole
country free behind him. His expedi-
ton, let it terminate as it may, will but
have added-another to the already exist
ing proofs that it is impossible for an
army to keep down a people scattered
over such an immense surface of CONN.,
try as ours.
"AVING EMPLOYED AN EXPE-