The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-04-19
From the New York Daily News.
Southern Campaigns--Old and
New.


The opposing armies of the South and
Of the North are now maneuvering on
classic ground; and although the analo-
GIGS Of the pass prove nothing, they are
sufficiently impressive to be worth, re.
calling, The irregular Triangle Of South
Carolina, from the Savannah River to
the northern boundary. long ago was wat
cred with blood and trodden by armed
feet. A "rebeP' army was once hem
med in close to the mountain range, cut
off from every seaport, and yet came out
victorious. Let us, bearing in mind the
relative positions and probable strategy
of the adverse forces now, briefly retrace
the past. At the end of IT'S, Savannah
was taken by the British almost without
a struggle. In march, 1779, Augusta
was captured, and not very long after
ward Charleston, which had successfully
resisted assault and siege, was surrender
ed to Sir Henry Clinton. In succession
fell Wilmington and Newburn, and later
still, Redmond; SO that literally not
foothold on the coast was in the posses
sion Of the "rebels' Of those days.
Then began the triumphant march of
CORVALLIS, almost on the track which
Sherman is now pursuing. He advanced
on Camden, and defeated the "rebels"
under Gates, They fled in disorder to
North Carolina as far as Hillsborough !;
and recent historian thus describes the
desperate state of things "The three
most Southern States" says Mr.. Hildreth,
chad not battalion in the field, nor
were the next three better provided -
The virginia line had been mostly cap
tured at Charles on, or dispursed in sub.
seouent engagements, The same was
the case with North Carolina regiments
the recent battle at Camden had reduced
the Maryland line to single regiment,
the Delaware line to single company"
Then it was thet General Greene was put
in command, his right hand man and
main reliance being Henry Lee, of Vir.
ginia, WashingtOn's friend and Robert
II. Lees illusrou5 father, And what
did such men say and think ? 1t was an
nour of gloom but not OF dispair. The
same serene faith shone in their words as
now briehtens in the heroic language
of the Confederate leaders. But, we Ie
peat, it was q day Of sharp trial. "Un-
les, this army" wrote General Graeue,
is better supported than l see any pros
pest of, the country is lost beyond re-
demption, for it is impossible to struggle
much longer under present difficulties
IF the French he said again, "canno,
afford assistance TO these Southern States
in my opinion there will be NO opposition
this side Virginia; and I expect the enc
nv will possess all the lower country
We must take possession and fight on
rivers above" Thus desperate was this
"rebel" cause in May. 1881. Then came
reaux Of the tide. The assailing army
advarced as far as Salisbury in North
Caroliua--one hundred and fifty miles
further North than Sherman is now
Lord Rawdon the Iarleton we're raiding
, in the rear. Richmond was given up tt
| Arnold But the ,uergy of brave peo
ple was aroused in defense Of home ever
in the moment Of discontinue and dis
! may. A great aank movement was con-
, ceived and executed. The lines of the
, invader we're thraa aatened both in front anC
t latterly, and tip battles of Ninety-si1
: and Kings Mout tain, the Cowpens, ant
8 Guilford, and Eutaw were fought anc
won. South Caiolina was abandoned It
the "rebcls," AMI CORVALLIS, crossing tn
D sea at Wilmington, and then fighting hi
!, way by another route to the James, me
his doom, and tie war ended. These ar
impressive incidents of ancient days. o.
n which in the flush of apparent success
may be well to mediate.