New York Times US
THE CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST.
From the St. Louis Republican, Nov. 13.
Correspondence from the Southwest informs us that the pursuit of the rebels in Arkansas has been abandoned, and that the Army of the Frontier has returned to Springfield. This result is not altogether unexpected. It is next to impossible, at this season of the year, to march with a large force over the western portion of Arkansas. The cost of transporting forage and other supplies would be enormous, and, besides, the character of the country is such as would compel an invading column to fight under great disadvantages. It will be remembered that after the defeat of VAN DORN and PRICE at Pea Ridge.
Last-Spring, Gen. CURTIS was obliged to relinquish the pursuit and project another plan of campaign. For some months past work has been going on at Springfield, and other key points in Southwest Missouri, to place that section in a state of defence by means of fortifications. We have little idea that the whole of Gen. SCHOFIELD'S army is to be idle at Springfield during the Winter. Probably competent garrisons will remain, while the bulk of the command will return to St. Louis, whence it will move to points where there may be a prospect of continued activity.
The season is approaching when the White and Arkansas Rivers may be serviceable in promoting the success of the campaign in Arkansas. The defence of Missouri will be a very easy matter when the streams named are navigable. The most valuable portion of the State of Arkansas can then be cut off from the remainder; Little Rock will naturally fall into our hands, and the rebels be driven to such a distance as not to be able to interfere with steamboat communication as far at least as Vicksburgh.
We look for a speedy re-concentration of troops at Helena. We showed at the time ten thousand or more men were removed from there to Pilot Knob, that if the movement was to protect the south-east part of the State from any advance on the part of the rebels by Pocahontas and Pitman's Ferry, the transfer was unnecessary. The event has confirmed the opinion we formed then upon reports from reliable sources. There has been no formidable demonstration in the direction referred. Fortunately, the change of position by so many of our men has worked no injury to the situation at Helena, as the enemy has not been strong enough to attack that point. But we think it will turn out that HOLMES' rebels, finding it impossible to get into Missouri over the obstacles presented by Gen. SCHOFIELD, are now hurrying back to Little Rock with a view of falling upon Helena. Our correspondent at the latter place informs us that reinforcements are arriving there, and we feel no apprehension for its safety. Should Gen. STEELE return to Helena, and a large part of Gen. SCHOFIELD'S force move for the same direction, we think the plans of the adversary will be effectually foiled.
No doubt there is a perfect accord between Gen. CURTIS, in command of this Department, and Gen. GRANT, commanding in Western Tennessee and Mississippi. Their cooperation is rendered necessary by the intimacy of their respective fields of action. We have seen that Gen. GRANT is quite busy at this time, with an eye on Holly Springs, and the manoeuvers of the rebel Gen. PEMBERTON. Corresponding activity may, therefore, we presume, be anticipated on the part of Gen. CURTIS. Indeed, we discern the signs of it already. There is no reason why the campaign of the Mississippi River should not be commenced at once, [?] as we calculate, there are enough troops to engage in the enterprise. More regiments are ready to match from Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Gen. Sibley's campaign against the Sioux is substantially over, and his command might be transferred hither. With these reinforcements, Gens. GRANT and CURTIS ought to be able to sweep the enemy from both banks of the Mississippi, wherever found. If, as all say, the voice of the people is for the immediate infusion of greater energy and vigor into our armies, let not the whole impulse be spent by Gen. BURNSIDE'S army, our Western troops have never been outdone yet, and they will certainly emulate, if they do not surpass, the strongest efforts of the Eastern soldiers.