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Story
January 1, 1863
Richmond Whig
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A knowledgeable gentleman reassures Confederates about the Mississippi valley defenses, stating that even if Vicksburg falls, points like Grand Gulf, Rodney, Natchez, and Fort Adams can block Union supply lines, and defeats at key locations would reunite Southern forces.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE SOUTH-WEST.
The utmost possible anxiety is just now heating up the minds of men to the dangers besetting the Confederate cause in the Mississippi valley; and we have also been exercised somewhat on the same subject, but have been greatly relieved by a conversation with a gentleman well acquainted with the river from Vicksburg to Port Hudson, all of which is now in our possession.—
He is not a military man, in the usual sense, but a soldier of experience, and his opinions are, therefore, entitled to credit.
In his opinion, should Vicksburg be taken, of which he has no fears, there are many other points from which it will be impossible to drive our forces so as to obtain the only thing which can be useful to the Yankees, i. e., an uninterrupted transportation of produce and supplies. Grand Gulf, Rodney, Natchez, Fort Adams, and many other places can be made as fatal to their plans as the City of Vicksburg. Besides, if Grant be whipped at Holly Springs, or in that region, Memphis is reclaimed and all the points below will be made impregnable. The fact seems to be that we are able to endure, hard as it may be, many reverses, while the enemy cannot sustain himself if defeated at Nashville, Holly Springs or Vicksburg, because a whipping at either place (and we trust in Heaven they may get it everywhere) would naturally result in a reunion of our army, and placing the abolition forces over the Ohio.
The utmost possible anxiety is just now heating up the minds of men to the dangers besetting the Confederate cause in the Mississippi valley; and we have also been exercised somewhat on the same subject, but have been greatly relieved by a conversation with a gentleman well acquainted with the river from Vicksburg to Port Hudson, all of which is now in our possession.—
He is not a military man, in the usual sense, but a soldier of experience, and his opinions are, therefore, entitled to credit.
In his opinion, should Vicksburg be taken, of which he has no fears, there are many other points from which it will be impossible to drive our forces so as to obtain the only thing which can be useful to the Yankees, i. e., an uninterrupted transportation of produce and supplies. Grand Gulf, Rodney, Natchez, Fort Adams, and many other places can be made as fatal to their plans as the City of Vicksburg. Besides, if Grant be whipped at Holly Springs, or in that region, Memphis is reclaimed and all the points below will be made impregnable. The fact seems to be that we are able to endure, hard as it may be, many reverses, while the enemy cannot sustain himself if defeated at Nashville, Holly Springs or Vicksburg, because a whipping at either place (and we trust in Heaven they may get it everywhere) would naturally result in a reunion of our army, and placing the abolition forces over the Ohio.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Military Action
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Survival
What keywords are associated?
Confederate Strategy
Mississippi River
Vicksburg Defense
Civil War
Union Defeat
Where did it happen?
Mississippi Valley
Story Details
Location
Mississippi Valley
Story Details
A experienced soldier opines that Confederate forces can hold multiple river points against Union advances, even post-Vicksburg, and that Yankee defeats at key sites would lead to Southern army reunion and enemy retreat.