The Portland daily press., 1865-03-16
A Orumb Of Comfort,

A Orumb OF Comfort.
II we had no other evidence of the falling
fortunes of the rebellion, we could find it III
= the anxiety and enthusiasm with which the
rebels seize upon every trifing circumstances
that may seem ofayor their cause 1nrul
nlfy 1t into glorious victory. - = no' .n0
Richmond editors alone who have this FACULTY
of"blowiug.n but even Gen. Lee is compelled
by the nressnra of circumstances to add his
breath IN the rebel bellows and magnify mole
hills into mountains. This able officer would
not engage in such Dragging, Boosting work
!. from instinct as the rebel editors do, but he
now feels great responsibility resting upon
him, and his prospects are dark and gloomy
and assertions from his army have become
alarminglg frequent; hence policy, and not his
own nature, prompts him to dc things which
he would not do under more favorable circum-
stances. We can pardon something to this Of
ncer, while we have but little respect for the
Richmond editors who have praclised sys-
tenn OF lying and blackguardism from tie mo-
ment the rebellion commenced until the pres
emit time, which is unparalleled in the history of
journalism.
- We have been led to the above remarks from
reading Bragg's account OF his attack upon
some Union forces near Kinston, and its en-
'dorsement by Gen. Lee and its enlargement
by the Richmond Editors. After such series
OF disastrous def eats it is not strange that the
rebels should find "crumb ofcomforLp in the
fact that small advance guard of the Union
forces hid been repulsed and some prisoners
taken. Now we believe this little victory
woIld not have been so tremendously mag
ni6ed and paraded before the rebel public by
Bragg, the Richmond editors and Gen. Lee, if
they had not been so long without anything
which could be blown into victory. Cir
cumstances greatly alter cases in all depart
ments of human life and action. gttbP u
Now what are the facts and what the con-
sequences in relation to this boosted rebel vic
tory? The Union forces were advancing
slowly and cautiously from Newbern towards
Goldsborough for the purpose of cutting the
Weldon railroad, an important line of COM
munication with the rebel capital and other
parts Of Dixie. This advance guard was met
by an overwhelming force of rebels. These
facts we learn from Bragg's dispatch, publish
ed and enlarged upon by Lee. No doubt the
rebels had concentrated nearly all their troops
in Eastern Caroline, for Hill aud Hoks were
both leading their armies against this advance
Federal force, and engaged in the battle, if
battle it can be called.
Such are the facts, and now what are the
consequences? According to the rebel &C.
counts of this mighty achievement they were
unable to profit by this little success. They
could not reap any advantage from it, sa wing
and excepting "blowingo to prevent desert.
ers from Lees army and to suppress the I'm
ION sentiment, both of which are becoming ex.
ceedingly troublesome to the rebel cause
After the first breaking of our lines, our
troops held the ground to which they retreat
ed. If the Richmond editors, Bragg, or Lee
can find crumb Of comfort from all this, lei
them roll it as a sweet morsel under thei
tongues. We have not the heart to deprive
them Of such pleasure.
From Kinston, where this fight took place
to Goldsborough, the distance is some twenty
miles; thirty from Newbern, seventy from
Fayetteville and eighty from Wilmington. 1t
is quite possible that this movement of oul
troops on Kinston was not so judicious as il
IL ought to have bsen, but let that pass. This
repulse of our advance guard will not oper-
ate as check on Sherman's movements, OF
interfere with the plans of his campaign. II
is comparatively flea bite. Bragg had q
right to withdraw his forces from the path a
Schoheld, If he chose to do SO. The only and
legitimate result is, it would leave Schofeld's
march unobstructed, and hasten more impor-
tant demonstrations on his part.
From the present aspect of affairs we are en-
couraged to believe that Grant, Sheridan and
Sherman are doing their work and crushing
out the rebellion as fast as we have any reason
TO expect. The great rebellion must soon top
pie down to rise no more. Rebellion is in
great trouble and their wants cannot be sup.
piled. 1t lacks men, money and credit; and
that is not all; there is another want which is
the hope of success. Lee now feels that most
sensibly, and SO does JEFF. Davis, and the edi-
tors are sick at heart notwithstanding they
blow their horns SO loudly. The question of
arming the slaves 10 producing serious divis-
ions among them, and their quarrels are wax
ing warm every day. We believe the day is
not far distant when the Union sentiment will
be let loose from that military despotisms that
now so heavily presses it down, and when it
does have free course there is an end Of the
rebellion. -...1...., -ae.f5}.ss