Year: 1864

SOUTHERN ACCOUNT OF THE MARCH
t, OF OUR FORCES.


sol af 1Hi -------


From the Richmond Sentinel Feb. 2s.
From the commencement of the late
movement of the enemy In Mississippi the
telegraph has been dumb. We observe from
our exchanges received from the more south
ern cities that they are equally without tele-
graphic tidings from the seat of operations
The Press Association will have nothing to
copyright from that quarter. We presume
that, for some public purpose, an embargo is
laid on the new agents, so that the press is
thrown on private and ordinary sources of in
formation. -tsi


The Mobile Tribune of the. 18th instant
says the enemy were certainly at Morton on
Thursday the 9th. Of their further move
ments, the 1ribune says Whether the enemy
is marching from Morton toward Meridian or
Enterprise. or toward some point lower down
on the railroad, is not known to us. It is pro-
bable that he is aiming for the Bigbee River.


Of this, however, we know nothing. It is
only certain that one of the chief objects of
his movements is the capture of this city {; and
although he has not yet got it. yet, as we have
repeatedly urged upon our readers, it is the
duty of the citizens to prepare for the worst
to consider it as an UNREASONABLE fact that
they are likely to be submitted to the horrors
of an attack, which will be full of danger to
every one of them-fOr the city will be defend
ed to the last. The difference between it and
Charleston or Vicksburg ip siege, is obvious.
Comparatively, the natural positions of those
places give security. Here there is very little,
if the enemy bring the heaviest artillery. We
make this preface to the following note from
Major General Maury. What he merely ad-
vises he may be Obliged to enforce by formal
order within few days.


mobile, Feb 10, 1864.-DKAR SIR: have
just been Informed by Gen. Polk that the en-
emy is moving from Morton against Mobile
1t is therefore my duty to ask all persons who
cannot take part in the defense of the city to
leave it. am sir, very truly and respectfully,
yours,


DABNEY H. MAURY,


Major General Commanding.


To Mr.. BALLENTINE.


Notwithstanding this opinion OF the Gen
erals, the Mobile Register, of the same date
does not think that Mobile is the point aimed
at. 1t says:


The more we reflect upon it the less we are
disposed to believe that General Sherman is
marching from Morton upon this city, and we
should not be surprised to learn that, having
cleared the front of the COnfederates by the
ruse, he has turned his face eastward and
pOunced upon Meridian 1t is at least 100
miles from Morton to Mobile. If he comes in
straight line, he mnst open new roads for q
large part of the way. The country is desti.
tute OF supplies, and he must haul all his sub
sistence. To do this would require train of
5000 wagons-One heavy rain would stop his
artillery and baggage trains. If he should sue
ceed in getting here, and plant himself in front
of our Notifications, what is he to live on. He
cannot be supplied from base 200 miles dis
tant.


When we hear that the enemy has establish
ed base on the coast, and opened a water
communication for his supplies, we shall begin
to think that General Sherman is serious in the
enormous flank movement he is now supposed
to be making. At present we do not credit it,
Again does any one suppose that Sherman is
dragging single train from Vicksburg to this
place? And without it what can he do against
our defense? Admit that he has sixty-five
pieces of artillery. If it is field artillery he
might have thousand and do no harm. It is
stated and repeated positively that Shermans
army is moving light, with very little in.pedi-
naents Of any sOrt-nOt even large subsistence
train, and that he started with twelve days
cooked rations.


The Montgomery Mail, of one day later, (the
18th, says:


Private sources of information represent the
enemy still advancing eastward, in the direc-
ton Of Meridian. Gen. Polk had his headquar-
teTs yesterday at Newton station, thirty miles
east of Morton and sixty miles east OF jackson.
About ten miles from Newton is the Chunky
river which at this season of the year is not
fordable. and can be crossed only with bridges.
Here it is likely our army will take position
and offer battle to the enemy with all the
chances in our favor.


If this advance of ShcrmOn on Meridian is
an isolated movement, it is the most fOOl-hardy
and absurdly adventurous undertaking of the
present war, and the probabilities are that his
army will be destroyed.


We presume there can be no doubt whatever
that Mobile is the point against which Sherman
is moving. 1t may be part of his plan to
march by way of the Selma country. SO as to
avail himself of the resources of that fertile
region. But it is more in accordance with fed
eral tactics in Mississippi to suppose that. in
defiance of ordinary rules and prudential con-
siderations, he aims to march with celebrity up
on Mobile, trusting that luck will crown his
laundering and audacity, as it did Grants at
Vicksburg- The difficulties which lie in his
path, as sketched by the Register, will be so
many opportunities to us; and as Grant blum
dered into snccess by accident, rather Than
skill. IN his movement on Vicksblrg, we have
every reason to hope that Sherman will fail in
Tar more adventurous and daring under
taking.


We are the more confirmed in the belief that
sherman is noving on Mobile from the infor-.
matlOn lately received here that the enemy
ere making naval demonstration Also
Inns, whether serious attack or o feint, Is
Designed as diversion In favor OF Sherman.


The following brief sketch of the enemys
advance may not be unacceptable:


The Union forces consist of ftWo corps, COM
manded respectively by Gems. McPherson and
Hurlbut, and the whole commanded BY Gen.
Sherman. The column is estimated at 80, 900