The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-03-16
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what Does Lee Meane

Some weeks ago, it was apparent that
the rebel leaders were debating the
policy of evacusting Richmond This
did not appear strange, inssmuch as
Gen. Grant was, slowly. but securely,
extending his lines around the city,
and cutting OF Lees sources of supply.
twas believed that he wss soldier OF
too much ssescity 10 remain and be
soooped up, and forced 70 give battle
under dissdvantage0us circumstances,
or be starved into q surrender. At the
present moment, however, it would
seem that If he ever contemplated
abandoning the city he has, from causes
not transpired, changed his intention,
What Is his policy? Does he expect to
be able to overwhelm Sherman, and
thus re establish his communications
with the chief sources Of his supplies
Of subsistence2 The recent desperate
attempts Of Bragg to destroy cur
forces on the Neuse, would in
dietae something Of the sort But
We take It for granted that he has cal
culated all the costs Of a failure, and Is
prepared TO meet them What then,
Is the inquiry, does a failure to van
ouish sherman involve? Nothing less
than the remaining at Richmond, or an
attempt to move North with a view to
eopstrain Grant to follow him; for it is
too late now TO adopt the other alter
native of falling back via Lynchburg
through East Tennessee into Georgia
With all Of his forces concentrated, a
movement North might present rather
formidable aspect; hut we suspect,
Grant would be willing TO donate him
rations to try the experiment. He
could not thus relieve his capita.
Grants army is numerous enough to
hold it, and follow Lee North also. Lee
must, therefore, in the contingency
supposed, stay at Richmond. Yet, he
could not expect to win a victory there,
because he would be under the neces-
sity OF delivering battle on ground
chosen By his opponent.
Regarding the situation from this
stand point, 4 may be asked what could
have been Lees motive in permitting
himself 10 be forced into the alterna-
tives presented him? Is there any way
to throw light upon this question:
Mr.. Focte, the rebel Congressman,
stated in New York, that the leaders
had, before he left, despaired Of sue
cess. and admitted that their cause
was lost Gen Lee has declared that
without the aid Of negroes as soldiers,
the war could not long be maintained.
Upon political matters he has been re-
ticent De IL tho fayorite of the South
ern army and people and it has been
proposed more than once to supplant
Jeff Davis with him lie is not con-
mitted deeply, ike Davis, against
peace and reunion, having at the out
set declared the war entirely without
cause Believing that the white popu-
lation Of the insurrectionary States can
not supply tho demand for reinforce
ments, and cut OF from the States
from whence negroes drawn -
surprising they could be made eff
cient if he had them-msy it not be
his desire to keep himself in posi-
ton to be made the instrument of ne
gotiating a pence, and restoring the
Union
Upon any otker hypothesis, his re-
manning at Richmond, with every safe
outlet closing against him, would be
exhibiting only the reeklessness Of the
ganester, who hazards his all upon
single throw Of dice. He has been re
garded as wise and safe leader Now
is his time to prove the claim beyond
question.