Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-01-12
l&6.j

Already tie ptcp!e and he newspapers begin TO
talk of tie campaign 1865 distinguished from that
of 1864 although would appear though the latter
bad no termination
But it fas had termination so fer the border
States are conoe, ned and far naval expeditions
CO. the fate of the great expedite n" against Whining
ton slows that in lat way it has also closed for the
OF ssent 1t is in the aeaboard section of the Southern
ST ates OF the Conlederacy alone that Winbr cam
pagu is prac able likely to be carried on TO any
extent or with any tangible results
The enemy East of the Mississp ii, has three great
armies So far we have but two We hold them in check
in Virginia. and spt re enough repulse them at sDy
renaced point in North Carolina. The army of Hood
will soon be re ptorced and uited sufficiently to hold
the Western erny OF Thomas in check, perhaps again to
roll back the tide tow ards the Tennessee may be to
he Olis, ] he army OF sherman, now in the "Depart-
ment Ct the South" as the Yankees call the seaboard
of Georgia and the Csronas, alone needs an efficient
counterpoae. That must be provided, and, we think
can be provided. We think the in the Con-
federacy for this Iurpose, end it seams to rs that if
they are, the agencies are at work to bring them out
and p &c the to the best advantage Grant has three
principal forces under bis direction First the army
of Meade bef Richmond and Petersburg, with which
he keeps bis own headquarters second the army OF
Sherman at or near Savannah ard third, the army of
TT omas, in Tennessee. These armies all work together
Ttey are ell under one lead. Our forces will be re-
qurtd make head cgoinst all there forces and they
ought all to be under head to be disposed of
with view to meet and bt fife the combinations OF the
enemy. Who hat head should be we need not say
We think the common voice of the country points to
General Robert K, Lee. About General Johnston as
the he I'D OF department there seems to be something
of doubt else Why the envenomed partnership ard ba
tired of the President displayed by too many, not by
all of the leading advocates of that distinguished
mander. Gen Bee uregatd appears to have escaped
this banefu support. One thing ID certain. No mat
ter who takes lis place. General Hood does not enjoy
the confidence Ct the untry. ic position demanding
tie exercise ard display of that large measure of udg
ment, skill and experience demanded OF the leader OF the
second army Of the Conederecy. Brave ard patriotic
as General Hood certainly Is, Tar that the public
Judgment s correct in ding that be he's undertaken
something beyond bis grasp But correct or not such
is the public Judgment aud do not think the posi-
ion u the country is such to justify the President
10 wholly disrsgardpg that judgment.
But after all, and above all, the thing comts down
again to this We ave army of Virginia. We have
an army of the West or Sou Invest we have an army
of the Trans M lsssippi We want an army of the
South The great question is How this want is to be
supplied How our ccse elements of force cessary
for the formation OF such army to be consoda-
ted, shaped, moulded aod formed, and rendered eff
cient This Question must receive prompt solution
The remedy devised must be firmly aud actively ap-
piled There is time for delay or hesitation Mere
pride of opinion the part of the Executive undue
dttererce tie pert Of others, would be cut u
place, ii sspdrg The way OF any Necessary arrange
men's promote The puolc health the nation
al or, the ssIon be correct, Con ederate
l;fe