IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTHWEST: The Mississippi Levees Cut by Our Forces; The Rebels Trying to Reopen the Mobile and Ohio Railroad (2/14/1863)

The Levees on the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River, twelve miles below Helena at Yazoo Pass, have been cut by our forces. They have also been cut at Greenville, and on the Louisiana side opposite Lake Providence.

The rebel advance in Mississippi is said to be at Okolona, trying to repair the railroad destroyed by Gen. GRANT. The inclemency of the weather delays movements.

By the way of Tuscumbia it is reported that the enemy have moved a large part of the army of Virginia to Vicksburgh, and also taken all the garrison of Mobile, except 4,000 left there for police duty.

The railroad from Selma to Meridian is completed, thus enabling the rebels to rapidly concentrate their forces at Vicksburgh.

The enforcement of the conscription act is driving many from Alabama and Mississippi to the North.

In consequence of the frequent violation of the regulations against carrying contraband articles South, more vigorous measures have been resorted to. All downward bound boats are stopped at Island Number Ten, and the cargo and passengers' baggage examined.

The steamer from Vicksburgh on Monday, reports that a barge loaded with coal ran the blockade on Sunday.

A dispatch from Brig.-Gen. KELLEY, dated Harper's Ferry to-day, to Lieut.-Col. CHEESBROUGH, A.A. General, says:

Yesterday, about 1 o'clock, a squad of BAYLOR's rebel cavalry attacked a small scouting party of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry from Reameysville, twelve men, near Smithfield, killing one, wounding two, and capturing four men and several horses. About 4 o'clock P.M., my scouts from here fell in with the same party a few miles south of Charlestown,

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4130689/posts

Important from the Southwest: The Mississippi Levees Cut by Our Forces– 2
News from Harper’s Ferry: A Skirmish With Baylor’s Rebel Cavalry – 2
Army of the Potomac: New Regulations for the Health and Comfort of the Troops – 2
Important from Washington: Passage of the Ways and Means Bill in the Senate – 2-3
Dr. Russell’s Diary: My Diary North and South (Book review) – 3-4
Lent: Regulations Issued by Archbishop Hughes – 4
Scientific Auxiliaries in the War – 4-5
Editorial: Mr. Seward’s Response to the New French Proposition – 5
Editorial: Muskets and Men – 5-6
Coals of Fire – 6
Editorial: Negro Freedom and Vagrancy – 6
Seventy-First Regiment Promenade Concert – 6
New-Jersey – 6

MMusson: "Funny how the war was a close thing until the North began targeting Civilians and civilian infrastructure. "

Just counting up battles & skirmishes to date, about 1/4 were fought in Virginia, and there Confederate victories outnumbered Union victories by four to one.
But in every other state, Union victories outnumber Confederates by more than two to one, on average.
So overall, so far, the numbers look almost even.

What has begun to change is the war's center of gravity, meaning that through 1862 there were as many engagements fought in Union States & territories as in Confederate States.
That has now begun to shift decidedly towards more battles fought in Confederate states, by nearly 30%.

As for which army did more damage to the other side, Confederate forces in Union states or territories like Missouri, West Virginia, Kentucky and New Mexico, always "lived off the land" and confiscated "contraband", including African Americans for sale in Confederate slave markets.
Confederate raids into Pennsylvania and Ohio were largely for the purpose of gathering supplies and destroying Union bridges and rails.

Union forces in Confederate States also sometimes lived off the land, but it was more the exception than the rule.
So Union armies such as Grant's attacking Vicksburg, were very much tied to their supply lines, this explains why Grant was at such great pains to find or build a route to Vicksburg where his lines could not be disrupted.

The basic problem with the "Union Army destroyed the South" narrative is that it's not at all clear how much destruction there really was, or who, exactly, were the culprits.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.