Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-04-27

seriously crippled; aud all the time THOMAS
with considerable body Of troops, was ready
in Tennessee TO dispute his passage and hold
him until rcinf0rcemcnts could arrive, and
General GRANT could clrry out his plans.
Having thus put barrier to LEES westward
progress, the next duty of SToNEMAN was to
obstruct his passage to the south and impede
his junction with JOE JOHNSTON, should he
attempted it. SroyEMAN, therefore, galloped
southeast again and entered North Caroiian
He struck Greenville, the terminus of the
Southern railroads leading to Virginia. From
this place there is gap of stage road to Dan
vile, at which stops the celebrated Danvlle
Road, Ieadingout from Richmond. tbs an
evidence of the poverty of the Confcderacy
from the beginning that it has never been able
to build this link Of railroad, although its i'm
portance was pressed upon the Rebel Congress
several times by DAVIS himself. Between
Danyille and Greensboro, bridges were de-
stroyed.
Below Greensboro. SroNEMAX's troops de-
stroyed the railroad and burned bridges and
large depots of supplies along that road as far
as the Yadkin River, probaly forty miles. But
the most important prize was Salisbury, very
important depot ofsupplies, cont timing cotton,
ammunition, gunpowdor, clothing, provisions
and medical stores in immense quantities, and
with very large amount of money. This place
was inadequately defended. 1t was carried by
assault. which yielded eleven hundred and six
ty-fve prisoners and nineteen guns. The Re-
bel troops were three Thousand strong, under
command of ajorG GARrSxR and Pm
DEErcN, of iicksburg memory. The arsenal.
at Salisbury were destroyed, and also large
amount of machinery sent from Richmond and
Raleigh. From Salisbury destructive opera
tons were continued on the railroad leading
70 CLa:l5.;c, North Carolina, and Columbia,
South Carolina, for distance of fifteen miles
il which the track and bridges were destroyed
On the 18th SLOVENIAN was..at Statesvilic,
North Carolina, twcnty-seven miles west of
Salisbury, and one hundred and forty-fve
miles from Raleigh. He was about to move to
the south side Of the Catawba River, in which
position he could operate towards Charlotte
and Columbia, and harrass JonNsrox's army,
moving South or cooperating with SHERMAN
in the same direction.
The problem which JOHNSTON has to selve
is, therefore, growing most difficult. His line
Of retreat from Ililsboro, will be toward
Greensboro when he arrives there he will find
that his supplies are destroyed, not only there
but far below that point He will, most pro.
badly, find HANCOCK, with the cavalry of the
Army of the Potomac barring the way; should
he attempt to retreat further west SroSEMAN
is in position to annoy him very seriously
If he abandons llillsboro. and takes to the
common roads, he runs great risks for the
want of supplies, and must initiate SHERMAN
and live of the country. All this time Sherman
will be pressing him and throwing KILrAr.
EicS's cavalry south Of him in pontoons to
intercept Lis retrcst. He, therefore, seems to
be heuimed in; and this knowledge of the fact
no doubt, induced the receD, attempt to trea,
for surrender, which, it is supposed, JErY
DAVIS coun;ermandod. In every view of the
case the aspect of military Affairs in North
Carolina seems hopeful for the Union arms,
and it is clear that battle, however severe,
cauno: change the course Of events, which
points to the capture or dispersion of the last
Rebel army east the Mississippi River.