East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-01-25
THE RECENT RAIDS.

Within very short time there have occurred
several raids through or in the territory OF tho
confoderates, whose character enables us 10 draw
some valuable differences with reference 10 the
condition Of the rebellion By knowing the di-
rsction Of the expeditions, and the amount OF re-
sistance they encountered, we can judge with toll
cradle exactness of the present disposition and
strength Of the confederate armies These expe-
ditons are:
Gen. Sherman's from Atlanta to Savannah;
Col. Osbands, from vicksburg 10 the Memphis
and New Orleans railroad;
Gen. Davidson's, from Baton Rouge TO the
Mobile and Ohio railroad;
Gen. Burbridge's from Knoxville to Bristol
and saltville, on the Lynchburg and Tennessee
railroad
All these expeditions occurred almost simulta-
neously, and were undoubtedly each portion OF
plan which had for its end combined attack
in the various directions subsequently followed
Each Of them had for its immediate or indirec!
object the destruction of some important line OF
railroad in addition to testing the actual condition
of the interior Of the confederacy
That of Gen Sherman is already familiar to
the public. Within little over four weeks he
marched directly through the beart Of the con-
federacy aud along its most important lines OF
railway communications lie tore up the track,
destroyed depots and cotton, and ravaged a belt
of country from twenty to sixty miles ia width,
most important cities of the south, and oil this
without encountering anything like formidable
resistance. 49,
Col osband penetrated Mississippi for hun
dred miles or more; ut his leisure tore up thirty
miles Of one Of the longest rebel railroad lines,
destroyed immense quantities Of cotton, forage
and provisions and returned to his starting point
without encountering any considerable opposi-
ton,
Gen. Davidson moved from Baton Rouge for a
distance Of over two hundred miles; crossed por-
tons Of two states, disabled two important rail-
ways, and committed vast amount Of damage,
r,,,,,,. LAM ,, interfered with by any effcivn.
force Of rebels. tNi
Gen. Burbridge, ia his raid from Knoxville,
passed around Brcckinridge, and struck Saltville,
one Of the most valuable positions possessed by
the rebels. He destroyed the salt works and
much other valuable property, and all this with
out having been opposed by the rebel forces
These raids, extending over nearly every state
Of the ci'-Mississppi confcderacy, and meeting
nowhere with great resistance, prove conclusively
that all the military strength left TO the rebellion
is that gathered on the frontiers. Within year,
raids have been attempted in nearly tho same
direction, but all encountered substantial opposi-
tion, and have been defeated Not long since
Sherman started inland from Vicksburg, and at
every step found formidable rebel forces that
cffectually blocked his farther progress. when he
had progressed only so far rs Meridian. Now ne
moves over a route of far greater value to the
confederates, and his path is everywhere open.
There seems to remain to the rebels only the
ability 10 hold few important towns, while theiI
I soil Is everywhere liable to be oyerrun by the
federal armies. If 300, 900 fresh men are put In
the federal armies before spring, one half Of the
federal force will hold the armed rebellion IN
| check while the other will reduce the territory
| to a'' bowling wilderness'
That the condition Of the rebellion Is at present
desperate, will not be denied Undoubtedly the
southern people appreciate this, and were liberia
terms Of peace now offered them, they would nc
| cept them with avidity. But such an offer Is moi
likely to occur and II Is therefore probable that
unless some unexpected good fortune falls to thu
rebel armies, their military strength will be bro
ken, and the rebel resistance will become guer
rila warfare, which half century win not b
able TO finish. However, even this IS not immcdi
| ate, and there is likely TO be much bloody tight
ing before the armies Of the Confectionery mr.
broken into bands Of predatory and murdsrinl
I Qucrrillas. - Chicago Times.