The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03


doubt, though coming from perfectly hon
orable and upright gentleman, who would
not be apt to seize upon wild report to send
here to his friends.
The coming to that point with large
force, where trey would he fianked ON either
side by our army, we regarded as most
stupid and unmiIitary act. We now un-
dersrand 1t all. They were to move upon
Chattanooga and Knoxville as soon as the
bridges were burnt, and press on into Vir-
ginia as far as possible, and take all our
forces in that State in the rear
1t was all the deepest laid scheme, and on
the grandest scale, that ever emanated from
the brains of any number of Yankees COM
bined. It was one that was also entirely
practicable on almost any day for the last
year. There were but two miscalculatiOns
in the whole program they did not expect
men to start on foot to pursue them, and
TREY did not expect these pursuers on foot
to find Maj. Coorer's old Yonah standing
there all ready fred up. Their calculations
on every other point were dead certainties,
and would have succeeded perfectly.
This would have eclipsed anything Capt
Morgan ever attempted. To think of a par
Gel OF Federal soldiers officers and privates,
coming down into the heart of tine COnfed-
crate States, for they were here in Atlanta
and at Marietta (some of them got on the
train at Marietta that morning and others
were at Big Shanty); of playing such q seri-
Gus game on the State Road, which is under
the control OF our prompt, energetic, and
sagacious Governor, known as such all over
America; to seize the passenger train on his
road right at Camp Mcdonald, where he has
a number Of Georgia regiments encamped,
and run off with it; to burn the bridges on
the same road, and go safely through to the
Federal lines-all this would have been a
feather in the cap of the man or men who
executed it.
Let this be warning to the railroad men
and everybody else in the Confederate States.
Let an engine never be left alone for mo-
ment. Let additional guards be placed at
our bridges. This is a matter we specially
urged in the lConlederacy long ago. We
hope it will now be needed. Further, let a
sufficient guard be placed to watch the Gov
eminent stores in this city, and let in
creased vigilance and watchfulness be put
forth by the watchmen.
REBELS ARE NERVOUS.
We know one solitary man who is guard
ing a house in this city, which contains a
tie and gag him and set fire to the house at
any time; and, worse, he conceiyes that
there is no necessity for a guard, as he is
sometimes seen off duty for few moments
fully long enough for an incendiary to
burn the house he watches.
Let Mr.. Shakelford, whom we know to be
watchfal and attentive to his duties take
the responsibility at once Of placing we'll
armed guard of sufficient force around every
house containing Government stores. Let
this be done without waiting for instruc-
tions from Richmond.
One other thought. The press is required
by the Government to keep silent about the
movements of the army and great many
things Of the greatest interest to our people.
1t has, in the main, periodically complied
We have complied in most cases, but our
judgment was against it all the while. The
plea is that the enemy will get the news if
it is published in our papers.
Now, we again ask. what's the use? The
enemy get what information they want.
They are with Us and pass among as almost
daily. They find out from us what they