The sun., 1865-02-01
Tho Military situation.

1HE greatest aud most important ootnt Inations
VI she war now in progress, and both sides are
preparing f5r a csmpsi'n Ilst viii probably prove
decisive Of tho fate Il uie Confoderscy. As tie
theatre " war is now compressed within a conpar-
stiyoy narrow compass, Il ia prota hat tho
vsr'1ua cporntorg Of General GrASr will be stnul-
tsue1us, in order to compel the enemy to cover AL
tie chlet points Of attack at the time large
portion q the powerful army Of General THOMAS
las BON ususierred from tho southwcst 20 the
f.st. Tho whole Of ITO cd Army Corps, undor
nov cid has 10y tbs t.mo reached tho Atlantic
cvos. ami General BEAGurE with several thou
sand men from ChsttEnooys, has already joined
the Army Of tic Potomac Rc-enforcemcn,s from
o,hor quarters sro also said g. be on their way.
Tho known position of our mrccs nleptes thc
leading features Of the campaign, without reveal
inr the strLtoy1gal combination " ch arc of
course only know Il 70 the Lieutenant Il cneraL
Commencing in Virginia, We ind that
a, neral SHERIDAN eull occupies tie lower
valley o. tho sh,nandosh, and guards
tie Moth against sudden invasion, At
the stme time thr, atcning Lynchhurg and Dan
vl'o md the communications between Richmond
and The Southwest Farther South we Gnd Rch-
and In more real DANGER tlan a. any former PERIOD
General GGANr is daily Iushing slowly, indeed,
but 10 selossy and irresstbly, his chain u forn-
fcauous noarer to tho doomed city In North Caro-
ina the operstons OF high sigltcgo mportanco,
Gen. IrsEl has receiyed large reinforccmonts, aud
his movements al point 70 cooperation with tie
two Union armies North and sJulh under Generals
GRANT sud SHERHAS, respectively. heavy force
IL said TO he ascending the Chowan River, In
II direction of Weldon. Whether this movement
involves tue posponemsnt OF the expedition
against WILMINGTON, remains to.he seen. Weldon
aud Lyuohtur, are the back doors to RE c'moud,
aud the posscss'on u eSLer of these places would
oOmpc the evacuation of shat city within very
hrief period Tho advance ON Wilmington would
place General Tr-tI's forces within more
airec, supporting distance ~ General snru.
rAE, upon whose movements the complexion
" The whole clmpgi;n chiefly turns. lie IA tho
hammer that is TO break tho Conteicracy sraius,
.hc GL,yr anvil At Pet,rghury. of Ls movements
a ia .luos, useless % speculate, ~ his strategy
'of charaetor that halle, tie ssll u tho shrcwd.
est rcbd scucrd' Az that IS Known Of him posi-
syey, is Tat he go now opcrai ny In South Clro'i-
us l. is stated Asg hc IS threatening Aug ista,
''At 80 i''''N'.'f 'N AZ MS iNHNtiatuH IA lEhi
trey'ion arc iutcuJel f. cover On attack on
nrarchyl.c, utuatc midway between that city and
Charleston, and the contre OF railroad communion
ons IN South Carolina aud the Aust c tier Of states.
TIE rebels are evidently putting ft.a their utmost
covers to avert the blows which ,-o about to fall
upon thcm. lt Is not improbable thst SHERMAN
tuay experience more formidable opposition In
south Carolina ihan no has cncouutcrcl since tho
capture of Atlanta. II IL all important g. the rebels
~ ctc'k him, hs hiI SUCCESS woull bc less fatal
10 ho Conioiera;y than the defeat Of Lars army,
bEAuGES AgD and hARDEE's forces may roach, Il
hey not exceed, twenty-five thousand men
Az Amy OF us size, properly organized snd led
and "aus strictly ON the defensive, is capable oi
opposing serious gas,scles, to the success Of Gen
Sral shSsnAN's plans, But the rebel gensralship
'hongh nos oi fh order, "a vastly Superior t,
the morale oi tic troops " ho have ho,n le ,eatedl,
leaten' ami who mLst icel onscious inforiortty
g. GenerAi SnSEMAN's irro5stihle lcgions. TIT
preSige oi siuENAS's army is equal to = reinforce
rueut oi twenty thousand veterans In any pltehec
battle that may be fought.
This review Of tho situation ueccss.-ily over
looks mAny points Of interea whi,l canno, L,
rSveAloi Al tiSe presgnt tuna Nitaoat peeJudic. I,