The next encounter
--We find the following article in the Atlanta Confederacy, of the 27th:The next encounter — where will it be — the next great battle? Not again this season in Mississippi, reasonably, not at Charleston or Mobile; not at Florida, after the recent experience in all those places. It is very evident the eye of the North is fixed upon Atlanta and Richmond. That the latter city will be soonest threatened, would seem apparent from late developments from the Federal capital, and a certain activity noticeable about their Army of the Potomac. Henceforth Grant is known as commander in chief of the armies of the United States. His headquarters, as he states officially will be in the field, and with the Army of the Potomac. Sherman is left in command of the Tennessee army, having been appointed aver Thomas, a more popular officer with the Yankee troops, universally acceded a more skillful- certainly a more successful General than the unfortunate hero of the great Meridian raid and Mobile failure, who is now the head of the important Department of Tennessee. At present there seems no immediate prospect of an advance of the enemy from the Tennessee river.
The transfer of Grant to the North Virginia Department is in some respects an indication of a recently concocted programme for one more vigorous grasp after the Capital of the Confederacy. --It such be the case, the doom of the great Ulysses is near at hand, and his political and military death inevitable. He will surely go the way of all the famous leaders of that atmosphere, from McClellan to Meade, and bring his somewhat remarkable career of fortunate accident to a woefully disgraceful conclusion. Richmond cannot be taken. It the North has not been taught that lesson often enough, the book is still open, and the men and the Commander are there to converse them, with an other sound thrashing of the futility of that very absurd enterprise.
On all sides we are better prepared for defence, and in a better condition for the aggressive, that at the beginning of any previous summer campaign. The most enthusiastic spirit pervades the universal army of the South, and our troops with one accord have re-enlisted to the end of life or the war. Our greatest armies are now under the exclusive control of our greatest commanders. Lee at Richmond, Johnston at Dalton, Longstreet at Greenville, and Beauregard at Charleston. Both Forrest and Morgan are to operates with independent commands, untrammeled and in separate and distinct fields. Our condition every way is much improved, our resources much more abundant than we had expected, our armies largely increased, and our people confident and determined. The spring campaign has already opened with successes in the field redounding greatly to our advantage, and much to the discomfiture of the enemy. We are ready at all points, and especially at Richmond, it at this point it is the design of the Yankees to play his last trump card in the game he has originates for the subjugation of these free Southern States. Let it be Richmond or Atlanta you play for, good Ulysses, we will be with you, late and early.
