Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-21

oE Supposed Lncolnes-Desirucdvs fires.
BowEaSe GREEN KT., Nov. "A.
The history of the first American war for indie
pendence establishes the fact that no arm Of service
was so efficient during that memorable conflict as
the partisan legiOnary corps. The Culpepper min
ute men of Virginia, with whom served JoHN MAR
sHG1I, afterwards Chief Justice of the United
states, MARGINS and SUNTER's legions in the Caro-
luas, and MoRGANis celebrated riaemen, all acting
in The capacity Of independent bodies, done
more towards harassiDg the enemy ard
exterminating the tories, than four times their mum
bers in the line Of regular service Collected from
various portions Of the respective colonies in which
they acted, they could always avail themselves o.
every by-path in watching the movements Of the
enemy, cutting OF their pieirets and supply trains
and when attacked by superior force scatter to the
swsmps and hills, meeting at agreed upon rende2
VOWS, with which ali were familiar. Never accept
ing gage for pitched battle, they were ever hover
ing about the British camps, to pick off sentineIs
and scouts with their unerring rass and by scour.
ing the country, destroyed to great extent the use
fitness to the enemy of their tory allies.
We're it nece ssary to adduce additional evidence
of the merit and efficacy Of such mode Of warfare
large numbers of Federal troops already within her
confines, made it almost impossible for those who
were opposed to Missouri coming under abolition
rule, to organize effectively. Gov. JACKSON had to
fly into Arkansas after disastrous battle in which
no was overwhelmed by superior numbers issuing
his proclamation 1.-THE earliest practicable moment
be called the people to rise in yndication of their
rights, arm and prepare as best they could. and
beat back the vile invaders. While the brave and
talented Gen. PKJoE has, with the army proper, beer
winning important battles, the gallant and fearless
JEFF. THoMPsoS, whose adroit strategy and u5iquit
ariness have won for him the cognomen of tho Mis-
souri, Swamp Fox, has with his daring followers
swept over various portions of the Stste, to day.
burning bridge essential to the facile movements
of LINCoLN's army, tomorrow, cutting off piekets,
capturing couriers and foraging parties, ever ha.
RAISING them in every conceivable manner checking
the action Of emissaries, and protecting peaceable
quiet citizens, he has, without doubt proven an in
valuable auxiliary to the cause espoused by him.
Allusions have been made to, and complaints ut.
tered not unfrequsntly in consequence of the slow
progress of recruiting here. Though such is the
fact it is proper that the causes therefor be CON
sidered.
When the forces under Gen. BUCxNER entered the
State, all the Secessoniss (unless those be excluded
who were in the confidence of the Confederate Gov
ernment) fondly anticipated movement on Louis
vile, or at least as far north as Muldraugh's Hill
had such been the case his numbers would have
been swellsd thousands larger by men eager to par
tiepate in the conflict however erroneous that an
ticpatiOn, it was nevertheless almost universally
oh he sa
unbounded as their confidence in General BUCKxER's
patriotism and capacity is, his not going forward
dampened their hopes, having as they did, fall and
abiding faith in their ability if led by him. to have
at once freed all of the State, south of Louisville,
from Federal troops and Home Guards. When he
halted here, and issued his proclamation, many
came to Bowlng-Green for the purpose of enrolling
hsmselves in the army still believing that in very
short time active hostilities would commence.
The division of Gen. z0ILICoFFER making no ad-
vance upon Lexington, Gen. Polk with his forces
taking no step towards relieving Psducah, and the
concentrating troops here, and construction of nu-
merous Notifications, together with the destruction
Of several bridges North of Green river and final
ly Of the one ever that stream, confirmed the PEG
pie of Kentucky in the belief, however much they
may have been mistaken, that the introduction Of
the Confederate troops was designed solely for the
defence of the boundary of the States proper of the
Southern Government. Beyond all question such
has been the very general conviction, and the most
hopeful have very little expectation of decided &C.
ton being commenced earlier than the ensuing
spring. in which event. were they to enlist now, the
entire winter would be passed in camp, away from
their homes and families, where any amount of outa
rage might be perpetrated by the federalists with
entire impunity. Such state of case has been the
real reason why comparatively SO few have enter
ed the service. The action of the approaching con-
vention however may, AMI it Is sincerely hoped,
will change this cause for such Sc ming appathy.
The advocates of prompt action and decisive
are numerous, and will leave no efforts
antred to impress their views and wishes upon the
leading and working men, who shall take prominent
part in the proceedings at Russelville next week
which are so fraught with interest to Kentucky's
future.
Should the authority be issued by the Provision
al Government, if one is established to form parti.
zan legons throughout the State the reign of LINZ
COLIN will truly prove of short duration.
There are meA Of high character, and determin- |
-
at once enter upon the patriotic duty of banding
together good men and true, who joyfully will en-.
ter the pleasurable task of driving away or ex-
Terminating the last of those base hirelings, that
actuated by considerations of place and pelf would
interpOse their efforts between Kentucky and her
manifest and inevitable destiny.
One apparent difficulty will be removed by re-
cognizng the foregoing proposed plan of operations
it is the matter of military weapons being consid-
cred 90 scarce
True, it may be that there is scarcity of mus
kets, but the instances rare, going into the
residences of Kentuckisns that you find them with
out rides and shotguns, which in their hands, more
especially for the mode of fighting they prefer, will
be amply sufficient. Accustomed from boyhood to |
the use of those, the people of Kentucky win re-
quire little or practice, while they have great
doubts about the accuracy of the musket
The recent battle at Leesburg, would to some ex>
tent argue in favor of the bayonet it is true, but