The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-03-03
I. Is. CpN>ToCk.
Lt-Col. \. ID. {. X Brcv. Bril-. Gen.
The Crisis Of Sherman Campaign

Gen Sherman'S campaign has now
reached It's period of hi ghc>t interest. II
hc continued his march on the North Car
DINA railroad. AMI lscaurr-:lrl has t:lllc,
back before him. Gen. Sherman i hv thi.
time Ill Greensboro. where the Dunvill,
road to Richmond makes lis junction will
the North Carolina road 10 Raleigh. whirl
Is ~ miles east of Greensboro. and vii
reach Rlleig I'll before the clos, of this week
II Lee means 10 intercept and attack hin
II must he done this week: and hayinr =:
direct road 10 Raleigh. in fact two road,
for most of the distance. he can 10 - /
he considers ii safe 10 detach a suilicicn
force from Petersburg and Richmond lon
the purpose. He may undertake this.
and there are some ii gn> tina, he Is dnin-
1t. because the ultimate risks of sitting >til
and permitting Sherman TO accomplish
hls present desi gn> will he greater than
the risks of dividing his present army and
giving Grant an opportunity TO attack
Richmond. 1t is IIobson'S choice will
the rebels. And vet the possibility that
Lee may detail a sufficient force from
Richmond TO unite with Biags'S column
from Wilmington and attack Sherman 4,
Raleigh or in that vicinity cannot fail IL
cause some anxiety.
1t Is doubtful whether HarIec'S fore,
from Charlestown will be able to make :,
junction with that of Bragg. If Sher,
mans cavalry succeeded in DESTROYING the
railroads around Florence. the march Of
the Charleston troops will be much imped-
ed. and they will at all events he compeIl-
ed to march long distances across the
country now that our troops hold VIII
mlngton. Hills corps at Augusta is left
hopeles>l Y in the rear. and no railroad,
left on this side of them. and no means q,
reaching the scene of action till lone after
the grand contest is over. Our columns
are doubtless moving up from Wilmington
and Newbern. and should at least be in
supporting distance of Sherman when he
reaches Raleigh.
Thus the loyal and rebel armies arc
concentrating for the final conflict in North
Carolina and Virginia, and the lines are
daily drawing closer and closer. In tbe
worst that can happen, reverse to SI,er
man, he has secure base TO fall bacl
upon at Wilmington or Newbern. for de-
feat does not involve destruction. The
experiences of this war have proved that
the destruction of an army of fifty or sixty
thousand men is next TO impossible On
the other hand, the success of Sherman
if the enemy give him battle in North
Carolina, will enable him to make 4 i,,pc-
ture with Gen, Grant, and thus to close
Ill upon Richmond. If he is allowed TO
make his grand tour without :: fight the
effect will be the same In either case
the war may be prolonged by the retreat
OF the rebel army to Lynchburg or Dan
Vile, but such retreat will only defer the
certain result; With their ca, itaI. their
ports and all their important railroad
lines III our hands, the leaders NAV make
q s'lo" OF Keeping up a hopeless resistance.
put Inc southern people will take more
practical view of the matter. and will
submit to what they see they have no
power to prevent.-.Sp,lngaeM Republican.