| From the New Orleans True Delta |
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| February 7, 1862 |
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| The Southern Arteries of Trade and Travel |
| Something Worth Attention from the Powers that be |
| The most sensible comment we have yet seen
in any of our exchanges upon the battle of Mill Springs, is the
following from the Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist. It is suggestive,
and worthy the attention of those at the head of our affairs. |
| After alluding to the depressing effect
which the defeat of our arms produced upon the Southern mind, the
article continues: |
| The defeat of our troops was at a point a
hundred miles only from Knoxville, Tenn.; this looks like a dangerous
proximity of an army of the enemy to an important point of railroad
communications in the South. It has still greater significance, taken in
connection with the fact that the Burnside expedition, should it reach
Newbern, would be in still closer proximity to the line of rail
connecting along the Southern Atlantic States. Should the enemy secure
possession both of Knoxville and Goldsborough, or Weldon, the Southern
Confederacy would be almost practically cut in half. In addition to
this, it should be borne in mind that a Federal column is within sixteen
miles of Paris, which is situated on the Memphis & Ohio Railroad.
Should the enemy get possession of Goldsborough or Weldon, Knoxville and
Paris, or other points on these several lines of railroad communication,
the Southern Confederacy would then be completely bisected. We present
the case in its worst aspect. |
| It is clear that, in this event, the
difficulties of our struggle would be greatly increased. Nothing but the
most desperate fighting, and at great disadvantages, could drive the
enemy from our country. |
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