Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-05
Rebel Plans.

". A>OuAo AtCP"OSeCUb Has ndu the gOOO
fortune to make the acquaintance of a
gentleman "just from Richmond" The
information derived from this individual
who in all probability is blockade rum
ner or rebel mail carrier, is somewhat
sensational in character, and might pro-
duce thrill of excitement, if our peo-
pie had not become such incorrigible
unbelievers. No news is spread before
them now without elieiting that remark
which may be regarded as the stereo.
typed expression of national incredulity
it needs confirmation. Notwith-
standing the skepticism with which the
story of this last gentleman from Rich.
mond " may be received by our readers
we give it, and they may take it for what
it is worth.
The gentleman" announces, in the
first place, that the rebel leaders frankly
admit the desperate circumstances to
which they have been reduced. They
eoncede that the "do or die" effort must
be made this Spring, if made at all. The
Federal armies must be "rolled back
or the cause of the Confeder eracy is for
ever lost, and the "divine institution"
goes by the board. But this last great
effort is to be made A remorseless con-
scription has been enforced in most of
the rebel States during the winter, and
1t is estimated that from 100000 to 125,-
600 conscripts have thereby been placed
in the field. The veteran rebel army is
estimated at 10000 strong. These vet
erans are expected to do the fighting,
while the conscripts-composed of old
men and boys--are to preserve commu-
nications, do garrison duty, and guard
Yankee prisoners.
General Lee has been spending many
days in Richmond in consultation with
the rebel President, for the purpose of
maturing and determining upon Spring
campaign. There. seems to be differ
ence of opinion as to the proper course
to be pursued, and the different plans
are disclosed by the gentleman" afore-
said to be substantially as follows:
An army of seventy-fve thousand un-
der Johnston to hold Grant in check
another column of fifty thousand to op-
pose the Army of the Potomac, protect
Richmond, hold Virginia; while grand
army of one hundred thousand veterans
should be concentrated in Southwestern
Virginia, of which Longstreet's present
force should be the nucleus, and the
whole, under Lee, to march to the Ohio,
to ascend the right bank of the river,
and crossing above Wheeling to occupy
a line stretching from the ." Panhandle"
to Lake Erie, thus bissecting the terrific
ry of the loyal States, and, by holding or
destroying all the railroads, to separate
the East from the West He admitted
this could not be done without encoun-
tering great difficulties, and perhaps
fighting great battle at the start some
where on the Ohio river. "But," said
he to General Lee, call ordinary diff
culties | know you can surmsunt the
enemy cannot concentrate an army to
oppose your one hundred thousand vet
Grams before you fly our flag in the sight
of British subjects on the hitherto shore
of Lake Erie, and l believe the circum-
stance will insure our immediate recog-
milton by the powers of Europe. am
not fearful of the result of battles, which
| know must be fought to accomplish
this, for something tells me that before l
die | shall exult in the glad tidings of a
great and overwhelming victory by you
over our oppressors upon their own soil,
and l 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 in
sisted there were difficulties in the way
of success which could not be surmount-
ed In the first place he presented
} the fact that rebel army of one hun
dred thousand men would have to carry
its supplies some two hundred miles over
: the worst roads in the country; and the
transportation necessary was not to be
!. had; besides had they the means al
I command the progress of the army
would be so delayed by the immense
trains, it would be immpossible to sue
ceed Secondly, it wonld take twenty
days, under any circumstances, to ad
vance to Wheeling, and in that time thu
Federals could confront him with al
equal number of troops; and thirdly, h,
might succeed in penetrating north o
the Ohio, and establishing his line a
AZ far as Lake Erie, but he could be men
aced on both hanks at the same time