The Portland daily press., 1865-03-01
sberm,,a AMI Movements 1lta

Il m
Gen. Lee has requested the Richmond edi-
tors to keep silent in relation to the move
ments OF Sherman, therefore we have no very
fresh news from this indomitable and perser-
vering officer. The people of Richmond are
even more anxious than we are to know what
progress Sherman has made since the surren-
der of Charleston and Wilmington. And no
wonder they are thus anxious; for it has gen.
orally been believed in Richmond that Sher-
mans great objective point is nothing less
than the capital of the aeonfederaey. They
have taken counsel Of their fears and hence
their extreme anxiety. - -
There are many speculations in regard 10
the motive of Lee in enforcing this silence on
the Richmond journals. We can imagine
many, and SO can our readers. One thing Is
quite clear to our mind; Lee very. well knows
that the people of Dixie have recently been
much alarmed and their hearts have beenquite
responding. Affairs in rebellion are looking
dark and gloomy, and the prospects of an indie
pendent confederacy have recently been so
much clouded that the most hopeful among
them are somewhat despairing. Lees army
too, has partaken of this general gloom, and
soldiers thus depressed and discouraged are
not ia good condition to fight, but very apt to
desert. And recently assertions from the
rebels have greatly increased.
Now it is quite reasonable to suppose that
the progress of Sherman in the diree ton Of
Richmond would not have good moral effect
upon the people, nor upon Lees army and
therefore prudence would suggest to Lee that
such movement, if it were in progress, ought
not to be given to the public. Sherman moves
with astonishing celebrity, and since be has
emerged from the swamps of South Carolina
his speed will be accelerated. There are
many conjectures in relation to- the course
Lee will be likely to pursue. Some believe
Richmond and Petersburg will be evacuated
and Lee will concentrate all the rebel forces
within his reach and deliver battle to Sherman
before he joins Grant We have had such an
impression. Richmond Is not Of much ae-
count to the rebels in their present condition.
True, to give up the capital would be hum
bling to their pride, but then they have lately
become used to such humiliations, and can
bear them better now than they could few
months ago.
We believe no disaster has yet happened to
the brave Sherman, and there is every reason
to believe that he is marching on" He has
shaken rebellion from circumference to cen
tre,and the necessity of making demonstration
is forced upon Lee; but what that demonstra-
ton will be a few days will determine. 1t is
quite possible that a great battle is yet to be
fought ere the rebellion falls to rise no more
but whether it will be fought in the vicinity OF
Richmond, Or farther in the interior remains
to be seen. b. slAgs l.T asi Isigilg 500 70
Recruits are fast filling up the ranks OF
Grant, and Lee is loudly calling for negro
help. But said distinguished rebel EARN a
thousand negroes, and nine hundred and
ninety-nine of them would desert to the Fed
erals" We believe SO too. A Negroes in
stinct is often an overmatch for the reason Il
some whites. Important news from Sherman
may be soon expected. Letus thank God for
what has been done, and take courage for the
future. yaa sooot 5 1 et go ZEE