Year: 1863

There is probably at this time an army of
not less than ten thousand men--soldiers-
scattered throughout the Gonfederacy,
guarding depo.g Of provisions, railroad trains
and on other detailed service. Were all
these troops collected together, they would
constitute quite asformidable little army,
and the question to be considered is, can
not this be: done and they brought into the
field, while their places may be filed with
others, not fit for active field service Such
thing to our mind is entirely practicable,
for we doubt not that the various States
would supply the places of these soldiers
with State troops, not subject to conscrip.
tion or military service under the laws of
the Coufederacy.


This matter, we conceive, is not unwor.
thy the attention Of the Government at
Richmond, more especially in the present
emergency, when everyman, capable Of ac-
tive service, should be in the field. And
in this connection, we:do not regard it as
.contraband to state that Gen. Johnston fuds
himself unable to render any efficient aid to
Gen. Pemberton with the force now at his
disposal. The powers as Richmond are no
doubt we'll aware of this fact, and it may
be said in their defence acknowledgements
cannot be spared for Yicksburg without
dangerously weakening other points


To this We answer that there is a source
ofsupply from the equarters limited at above,
while it may we'll be questioned if a blunder
has not been committed in sending a por.
ton of Gen. Lees army into Pennsylvania
instead Of sendiugit it to the relief of belea-
guered Vioksburg; for while it is agreeable
to Our feelings to see the enemy's country
invaded, and the people Of the North made
to feel some of the real horrors of war as
they have made us feel them, yet we can
but doubt the policy of themovement, more
especially as their armies are in the heart
of our own country, devastating our homes
and fields, and destroying our substance.


1t may. be that we attach an over impor.
tauce to the, retention Of Vicksburg, aud
that the Government does not share our
views, but we cannot well imagine how too
high an estimate can be placed upon the
Necessity of our maintaining possession of
this stronghold, as we'll as that of Port
Hudson. It is true we should not despair
of the Republic were both to pass from our
possession into the hands of the enemy, yet
we should feel it as heavy blow, dispirit.
ing to our cause, and source of jubilation
to the Northern vandals who are seeking
our subjugation and ruin. ~


If not too late, then,f We make another
appeal to the Government to come to, the
relief of Gen. Johnston. We have point
ed out one source of supply Of troops which
can be furnished without weakening other
points of danger. We have no doubt but
that the different States, actuated bya spir.
it of patriotic devotion; will undertake the
guardianship and profession of all Govern
ment stores and property within. their Dor.
ders, as we'll as the police service on the
railroad trains; whilet the Confederate troops
now engaged in such services, can be sent
to the field. We throw out the suggestion;
it remains to be seen whether or not the
Government will act upon it.


Memphis Appeal, 9Th.