| From the Alexandria (Va.) Gazette |
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| May 23, 1861 |
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| The present state of the South
illustrates, in a striking degree, the immense advantage of railroads
as a means of defence against attack, and especially in countries
sparsely populated. Without railroads, it would be practically
impossible for the South to concentrate a large army at any point,
whereas now, it is not only practicable to do that, but to move such
armies from point to point, as different places are menaced from time
to time. Norfolk, Richmond, Charleston, Memphis, New Orleans, and
(now) Pensacola, are all connected together by a network of railroads,
for the transportation of men, supplies, and ordnance. These
railroads, so invaluable for defence, do not avail for invasion,
except in maintaining the occupation of the country after it is
conquered. That command of the seas, which enables Mr. Lincoln to
attack any point on the Southern coast, and which thus menaces the
whole of it, is to a certain extent, counterbalanced by this power of
the South to concentrate, by means of railroads, her whole disposable
strength upon any point which may be assailed. |
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