The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-04-01
HE GATE CITY
SATURDAY, APRIL l.


The Rishmond Enquirer Of tho 24th
says: The spring campaign il to have 9TH
or combinations than those already devel-
oped. Not only is Grant to hold Lee in
Richmond, and Sherman occupy Johnston
in North Carolina, but Thomas Is report
Cd moving east from Knoxville, and Han
cock preparing TO move again up the val
ley. Four great columns, converging on
Richmond from the four points Of the
compass, are expected to strike blows I'M
der which the rebellion must succumb.
Nous vcrrons. Now, for the FIRST time
during the war, has the military situation
presented the opportunity when victory
must end the war and give US indepen.
dence. The four columns converging on
Richmond are all cooperating, and the
defeat of either of the main columns will
defeat the whole four. Grant can accom-
plish nothing; indeed be will attempt
nothing serious. He may extend his left
flank few hundred yards for appearance
sake, but he dare not undertake anything
serious. Sherman's is the grand column
from which the enemy expect browning
victory. Johnston has already brought
him to the spade and set him to intrench-
ing. If he expects to win at that game,
with Johnston as his antagonist, It will
hardly be within the present year. Thomas
and Hancock win not do much. and will
find their march arrested at the proper
time and place. This concentration on
the part of the enemy necessarily involves
q similar concentration on our part, and
thus the struggle which once extended
over half of the continent, and was beyond
the management of any single head, as
we'll as beyond the scope of any single
plan of operations, is narrowed down tc
dimensions which can be grasped BY one
intellect and brought within the means
which can be directed by one head. AL
our armies can now cooperate upon The
plan of General-in. Chief for the accom-
plishment Of the end he may have il
view.
Sherman ia the key of the arch. Hi
army defeated or set to digging, the arcl
tumbles to pieces. Gran! may continu
pegging away at the lines around Rich
mond, and Thomas and Hancock ma,
march into the mountains to the west Q
us, but they can never do more than an
noy US. Military movements, plans an
campaigns are kept SO secret that no on
can divine what the future will bring forth
but under General Lee the country rest
with the full confidence that he will do al
that man can do with the means at his dis
possl, but his means are small He ha
urged his countrymsn to give him negr
soldiers. The Congress has legislate
for the enlistment of negroes, yet but
portion have been forthcoming. The co
umns of the enemy that are convergin
upon Richmond require the new locatio
Of troops. and this requires other troop
to occupy the lines of defense. Negr
troops. if now furnished, can be mad
available Immediately. The season, a
though late, is by no means too late fo
the negroes to render essential service i
the approaching campaign. Will not tn
farmers of Virginia and North Carolin
take rational views of this important mai
ter, and endeavor to give inducements
make the negroes volunteer? We kno'
the matter TO be one of Importance, an
one in which the authorities take yer
great interest. The negroes require en-
couragement and persuasion. They don
understand the law. Their masters shout
explain it to them, and urge them to com
forward and enlist.