The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-10

The Campaign from a Rebel Standpoint
The Richmond editors indulge in many spec
ulations in relation to the plan OF tne cam
paign which Grant has in view. Ihey are
exceedingly troubled and anxious TO know
what is to be their fate. There y ? aeep-Se"'
ed fear in their hearts that something IS going
to happen to Richmond. Evidently they ieel
unsafe. Grant, they say, continues 10 keep
nm the pressure on their capital, andsconfnes
the army of Northern Virginia TO Its breast
works. In their opinion, Grant will seize the
Arst favorable moment to sally out on the
DanvilIe road and cut off an important source
of supplies. No doubt he will embrace the
first opportunity to effect SO important pur-
pose. .s.o.,s,, ss.gy
We don't blame them for feeling uneasy,
being thus hedged in, and their best army
rendered useless for any purpose except TO
guard their capital. Grants aggressive de-
signs. they fear, are chiefly directed against
two important points in South Caroline
against nhmIeston-so long besieged so
,>s,s1uinent in the previous history of the war
so conspicuous in Southern politics, and SO
cherished in the affections Of the Confenerate
people, and against Branchyille, a mere geo
graphical point, and yet important as being
the key to Charleston, and the gateway for
supplies which come from the Gulf States.
Such. they fear, are the objects of Sherman's
present operations, and hence they conclude,
with some approximate certainty, the destina-
ton OF Thomas's army, large portion of
which they believe has gone down the Missis-
sippi, by the Gull, to reinforce Sherman.
Another crochet has got into their heads.
1t is reported that quite large force has pass
ed Harpef's Ferry, in the direction of the
Chesapeake, to reinforce Grant. The object of
this addition to Grants forces is to enable him
to make demonstration from his left wing
upon Lees line of supplies simultaneously
with Sherman's movements in South Carolina.
These additional forces may put it into the
power of Grant and Sherman to make formid-
able aggressive movements. yrs
Until recently, they feared that Thomas, at
the head of large army, was to cross from
Chattanooga to Knoxville, through East Ten
nessee and South Western Virginia. and to
bear down on Lynchburg, taking Richmond
In the rear. Believing this General has de-
scended the Father of Waters, they feel some
what relieved and hope to be spared awhile
longer. But after all they are fearful that
somehow the forces Of Grant and Sherman,
will at last be united, and that Richmond will
be the prize they will seek and obtain. Such
fears may be well founded; for Sherman has a
formidable army which may not find work
enough ia South Carolina to detain them any
length of time. This General has good deal
Of the dash in him, and is rot prone to sit
down before cities, towns, or notifications
and waste time in fruitless calculations. He
"marches on,p and, If necessary, makes flank
movement, deceives his enemy and 'turns up"
somewhere else.
We are not surprised, after tile experience
they have had, that they should indulge some
fearful apprehensions in relation to Sherman's
movements. His march through, their SHELF
thus far has given them very bitter taste of
his quality. And Grant may not wait for
Sherman to Join him before he makes some
demonstrations about Richmond. It would
be remarkable colncident If Richmond and
Charleston should fall about the same time.
But we will not indulge too much in specuIa-
lions. Events are hurrying along quite as
fastas can reasonably be expected. In such
times as these men learn faster than in more
quiet periods, and these Richmond editors
would act more wisely If they would publish
less braggardism aud occasionally stop to
stake an observation" .ss~
Since the above was written we learn that
Grant Is on the move and the quiet about
Richmond has been broken. And the, signs
are that severe lighting is about to take the
place of the long rest both armies have en-
ioyed. Lees forces must be- occasionally
stirred up to ensure the success. of Sherman.
Grant don't intend to permit Lee to send any
of bis forces into the Palmetto State, or else
where, unless he evacuates Richmond, and In
that case Grant would be very likely to follow
him.
Rumors have reached Washington, that the
rebels seriously intend to leave to their fate
Richmond, Charleston, Wilmington, and the
whole coast line. It is said that Lee favors
such policy, as the defenseof Richmond on
ly Injuries and demoraIizes his army and pre-
vents him from checking the progress of Sher-
man. 1t is said the recent movements of
Grant were made for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning whether Lee had sent a portion of his
forces to South Carolina and Georgia. siao
.N
one thing quite certain: the remaining
strength of the rebellion lies in Lees army,
and the rebels repose more confidence in Lee
than in any other man. He has recently ris-
en- a head and shoulders above jeff Davis,
and towers above any one in rebeldom. No
doubt he is their Best man, and Grants pro.
gramne is to keep Lee and his forces in and
about Richmond until the proper time comes
to strike the fatal blow. Lee and his army
are now the supporting pillars of the Confed-
eracy, and when these are knocked away, the
whole editice will tumble into rains, and the
union sentiment Of the South will breathe in
freer atmosphere. May God hasten that hap
Ply time, for the sake Of the people both North
and South.
PERsoNAL.-We shall take no notice Of the
constant h'ngs Of malignant character, made
~ US personally, so long as they involve no
one out ourself; but when other citizens are
involved the matter assumes importance. In i
ene courier last evening is an attempt to con