The National tribune., 1902-03-20

ing better market for them. Our money,
being always worth known price in New
York City, will have a commercial value
in Europe. This win enable the South
to ship at much less risk the means of ex-
change for imported articles than by send
ing bulky article of cotton"
The opinions of Gen. Grant had great
weight at Washington, but nevertheless
there was considerable trade opened up
at various points with people beyond he
military lines. Every commanding officer
brought in contact with this business
found that the desire to make money on
the part of persons holding Trade Per-
mits and the owners of cotton within the
Confederate lines woui,: establish such n
community Of interest between thea that
they were ready to work together ear
nestly to Overreach and circumvent all
military orders against illicit trade.
The most important question that pre-
sented itself to Gen. Grants mind was,
What military enterprise shall be en-.
tered upon next"
MOBILE SHOULD re CAPTURED.
Having gained a great military advan-
tage over the Confederates in the capture
of Nicksburg, he was anxious to strike
another heavy blow before the Richmond
authorities should recover from the effect
of the one already delivered.
On July Is Gen Grant wrote Gen. Hal
leck as follows: 1T seems to me. now,
that Mobile should be captured. the ex-
train" Gen. Halleck replied, July %, as
follows:
Before attempting Mobile, | think it
will be best TO clean up a little. Johnston
should be disposed of, also Price and
Marmaduke, so as to hold the line of Ar
kansas River. This will enable us to
withdraw troops from Missouri. Vicks-
burg and Port Hudson should be repaired,
so as to be tenable by small garrisons !;
also, assist Banks in clearing out west
Louisiana. When these things are ac-
cOmplished, there will be a large avail
able force to operate either on Mobile or
Texas. Navy is not ready for co-opera-
ton; should Sumter fall, then ironclads
can be sent to assist at Mobile"
On July "a Gen. Grant again wrote
Gen. Halleck: at seems TO me that Mo
bile is the point deserving the most i'm
mediate attention" And on Aug. / Gen.
Grant telegraphed Gen. Halleck: MO
bile can be taken from the Gulf Depart
ment with only one or two gunboats to
protect the debarkation. | can send the
necessary force. With your leave / would
like to visit New Orleans, particularly if
the movement against Mobile is author
iZed."
Instead OF adopting Gen. Grants plan
of campaign against Mobile and using the
Army Of the Tennessee TO capture that
important place on Sherman's return from
Jackson, Gen. Halleck adopted the policy
Of scattering Grants army as he had
scattered the great army assembled at
COrinth, in the Spring of 1862. The Ninth
Corps was returned TO Burnside in Ken
tucIlY.
The Thirteenth Corps was sent to Gen.
Banks for an expedition into Texas Five
thousand men were ordered to report TO
Gen. SchOfeld to operate against Gen.
Price in Arkansas; and Gen. John p.
Smiths Division was ordered to reinforce
Gen. Steele at Little Rock, while Gen.
Grant himself was to cooperate with
Gen. Banks. and for that purpose was or
dered to New Orleans for consultation.
On Aug. 30 Gen. Grant $. r-ed to New
Orleans. He reached there in splendid
health and strength, but while attending
:; review he was thrown from his horse
and severely injnred he was confined to
his bed for three weeks. and was SO
crippled in one leg that he used crutches
for two months.
On Sept. 10 he wrote: Il am still CON
fined to my bed, being fat on my back.
My injuries are severe, but, STILL not dam
gerous. l will still endeayOr TO perform
my duties, and hope soon to recover that
j may be able to takeethe field at any
time l may be called upon to do so''
As has been seen, Sherman, with the
Fifteenth Corps, Osterhaus's Division, in