The Telegraph has mentioned the arrival of Generals Nelson’s
Thomas’ and McCook’s Divisions of Gen. Buell’s Column at Duck river, Tennessee,
and the correspondence of a Cincinnati paper informs us of the passage, on the
22d, of Gen. Mitchell’s division through Murfreesboro. But of course only these whose business and
privilege it is to be posted, can tell the destination of these troops. Duck river is an affluent of the Tennessee,
and the point referred to by the telegraph as the one to which the main body of
Gen. Buell’s army had reached, is doubtless in the neighborhood of Columbia,
forty-six miles south of Nashville.
The plans of Gen. Buell’s operations are doubtless based
upon hypotheses of the movements of the enemy.
It is not now known what relation Gen. Johnston’s forces at Chattanooga
are to bear to the proceedings of Beauregard.
If Johnston has been greatly weakened, as is probable, by requisitions
upon him for the defense of Corinth, Gen. Mitchell may be thrown forward to
observe and menace him, whilst the other divisions may march to cut off the retreat
of Beauregard, Polk, and Bragg, simultaneously with advance of Gen. Grant from
Savannah and Pittsburg. Or if Johnston
has been or is likely to be, reinforced from Virginia – a chance exceedingly
doubtful – active operations may be turned against him. The rebels must know very well that if Buell’s
divisions had been ordered to the direct support of Grant, as for instance, to
attack the left wing of the Confederates at Jackson, he would have transferred
his forces by the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to Decatur, Tennessee, and
not overland. – But it is evidently not the purpose to operate on the left
flank of the enemy, which would merely result in driving it back to Forts
Pillow and Randolph, but to turn and overwhelm the right at the same time
barricading the whole like of retreat, thus investing a whole army and
compelling it to capitulate. This would
of itself capture the rebel forts between Island No. 10 and Memphis, when Com.
Foote would at once advance with his flotilla.
It is idle, however, to speculate upon events the reality of
which must soon be presented. – Everybody seems, by mutual consent, to regard a
great conflict as near at hand, and as we have heretofore said, some of the
finest strategic and tactical operations may be anticipated on both sides. – {Mo.
Rep.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2
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