Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-01-03
The Military Account Current -.
tween ihc North and the eo1th fer

The year 1864 now being closed we
can balance the books between the Gov
ernment and the rebellion. Only one
transaction is still incomplete-th1 cap.
ture Of Savannah. We have no doubt o.
to how it will terminate, but still tbs bal
ance is so immensely in our favor that
we can afford to leave it out sltogether..,
In the early part of the year the rebels
won two victories-one at Olustee, in
Florida, and tina other at Shreveport in
Louisiana. The expeditions which gave
them the opportunity to win these two
battles, were not only foolish in inception,
but badly carried out. Somebody-it
has never very clearly been asceftained
who-thought that an important object
could be subserved by marching into
the heart of Florida; but as to what that
object was, military men are TO this
day in the dark. The march began and
was conducted in very leisurely and
unconcerned manner. The GeneralMho
was in the command of the advance for
got altogether that he was moving
through an enemy's country. The re-
suit, as might naturally be expected, was
that our army was surprised and routed.
Shreveport was simply repetition of
0lustee, and need not be referred to in de-
tail. Gen. Banks had, we believe, some
idea of invading Texas by land, but what
we were to gain. even if he had succeed
ed, is not very apparent. When thebead
of the rebellion is crushed in Virginia,
Texas will fall from the tree like, ripe
pear; no effort on the part of the Govern.
ment will be necessary for its recovery.
Olustee and Shreveport, such az they are.
constitute the whole achievements of'the
rebellion in 1854. In result they. were
altogether barren, for we lost nothing but
the brave men who died on the battle -held.
In reviewing the military events Of the
year, the next starting point is, lof coarse,
the Rapid Ann. From the left bank last
MAY, Grant began his laundering march
to Richmond. On the other side, Lee was
drawn UP to oppose him. To Richmond
Grant had to 60. A water route, to'be
sure, was open to him; but, ifyhe had se-
lected it, while his army was embarking,
sailing and disembarking, Lee would
have an opportunity TO do his will
in Maryland and Pennsylvania. By,
hard fighting and maneuyring, Grant
gained the point at which he was aiming
the vicinity Of the rebel Capital. Th@e
he has erected another Richmond, stronger
than the original one, and there, when the
proper time arrives, the rebellion Wilfn-
ceive its death blow. To relieve them
selves of this pressure the rebels sent Ear
ly to the Valley. To him we opposed
Sheridan. The result need scarcely be
stated. For US the Valley Of Humiliation
has been changed into the Valley Of Tri-
umph. Early was routed again andaguln.
Once only he came near winning victory,
at Fishers Hill, but the appearances Of
Sheridan on the field was all that was ner
cessary to pluck it from his feeble grasp.
Next comes the campaign of Sherman
About the same time that Grant croSsed
the Rapid Ann he sailed forth from Chit
tanooga for the purpose Of taking Atlanta.
For two months he fought and mannuy-
red, forcing the rebels all the time steAdie
" before him, and finally accomplished
his programme. Hood tried TO retrieve
his position by making an attack upon
Sherman's communication. SheTmanhot
only favored the movement, but.htenuy.
kicked him off in the direction he desired,
and then marched at his leisure through
Georgia, living on the fat Of the land. His
object was to exchange Atlanta, withats
uncertain line of communication, for Sa-
yannah; and no one doubts but that ne
will succeed. Meanwhile, Thomas in
mart inprovis ed an army, and utterly
routed Hood-driying him back from
Nashville, with the loss Of at least halfhis
Aftny, and nearly the whole Of his artillery.
These two splendid campaigns we have 70
set off against the Withered iaurels OF
Olustee and Shreveport. Is there any
doubt as to the side in favor OF which, the
balance is to be struck Great successes
have also been achieved in other quarters.
For instance, the forts guarding the en-
trance to Mobile have been takeni Cen
eral Davidson has just returned tome
raid through Louisiana, Alabama, and
Lyon has been whipped IN
Kentucky by McCook. tb also pfoba-
BILE that Breckenridge has been whipped
by Burbridge and Stoneman. The Ala
bama was sunk by the Kearsarge In the
English Channel. The Florida was cap
tured by the Wachusett in the Bay Of b.
hia, and Wilmington is menaced; but oil
these achievements, glorious and impor-
tant though they were, may be left ont Of
the calculation altogether without in any
degree endangering the claims that We Set
up in the matter Of the military operations