East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-10-08
kENTUCKY.

We make no apology for devoting
large portion of our space in this issue to
matters directly concerning this noble
State, about to become the scene Of some
of the most important movements in the
present war. The address of the com
mittee Of the Legislature explains fully
why it is that il has been the disposition
of Union men there to forbear until "for-
bearance ceased to be a virtue" and what
has been their true position from the first.
From the Louisville JoNrHdlof the 9th ult.
we cut the following extracts in regard to
the topography of the State, and the bi-
ograpby of some of the leading COM
manders on both the Union and Rebel
sides, all which will be found interesting
at the present time and as a matter of
reference hereafter:
'fa.u TIE SITUATION.
The topography Of the country may be
described advantageously to the reader.
Louisville, the United States Headquar-
tiers, is situated on the Northern bound
airy of the State, is connected by river
and rail with the whole of the Northern
States, and also by rail with the country
of active operations. The plain on which
il is situated extends, with but few inter
ruptions, and none of a serious character,
for thirty-fve miles south of Rolling
Fork river, where rail communication
with the country beyond has been inter
rupted by the destruction Of the bridge.
Crossing this stream, which is about two
hundred feet in width and three feet deep
at the ford, near the bridge lately burned,
good road leads through level country
for two miles to the foot of the series of
hills known as Mudraugh's Hills. Their
ascent is of the most rugged character.
The railroad follows little stream called
Clear Creek, crossing it about half way
up the ascent by tressel work ninety
feet high. Further on it again crosses a
smaller stream tributary to Clear Creek,
and, passing through a similarly rugged
country, enters near its base, Muldraugh's,
more properly Tunnel, Hill, and energies
on smooth and level plain, which ex-
tends uninterruptedly for many miles
south to Green river, thus forming the
table land of the State Tunnel Hill is
the last of series forming the ascent
from the lowlands to the table land of
Kentucky, and its virtue as stronghold
depends upon the direction of an APP
proach. Against an attack from the
north it presents many advantages, but
these become useless against an advance
from the south. The Tunnel Hill COM
mands those Immediately south of it, and
they in turn command their northern
neighbors. The Union force, to fight to
advantage, fight beyond Muldraugh's
Hill, and for this purpose require strong
force. To admit the foe to advance as
far as the Hill wonld be to allow them to
possess themselves of what would be
stronghold to them and which possession
would result in the destruction of the
most impoi tsnt and costly part Of the
whole railroad line. Four miles from
Tunnel Hail, Elizabethtown, the advance
of the United States force, is reached
This is an old and rather dilapidated
town, with about 800 inhabitants, and
presenting no features Of Importance. 1t
was the ceutre Of strong disunion COM
munity, composed of class controlled
by ex-Gov. John L. Helm, who is resi-
dent of the town. The rebels looked
forward to it for winter quarters should
their attempt on Louisville fail.
Nolin Creek is the first stream Of any
importance south of Elizabethtown on
the line of the railroad. 1t is at all
forIa1la L. ~oI II
roads crossing it near its headwaters.-
Thence to Green river the country is a
plain, level sward of rich country-well
watered and producing plenty. The
country Immediately on the banks of
Green river is very rough and poor. The
banks Of the river at the point crossed
by the reilroad are very steep. The
turnpike road, crossing the river at Mum
louisville, winds down steep declivity,
and all vehicles cross the river by boat.
The stream here is seldom fordable, is
exceedingly swift and dangerous. Be-
yond Green riuer and extending to Bar
rem river are the barrens of Kentucky, as
beautiful prairie land as is to be seen in
the West, but not very extensive.
Bowling Green, the present basis Of
Southern operations in Kentucky, is q
point Of great strategetio Importance
Located at the junction of the two Ken
tuoky railroads which enter Tennessee,
it affords transportation to an almost un-
limited extent, and on army in force
there could draw reinforcements and sup
plies to the full capacity Of the Confede-
rate States to spare them. The approach
es to tho town by railroad can be com.
manded by a small force, as the track
crosses bridge over Barren river.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CUMBERLAND
A glance at some of the officers who
have control Of tho Department of the
Cumberland, will, no doubt, interest our
readers and thus early in tho campaign
render them familiar with the characters
Of those around whom so many true Ken.
tuckians are rallying.
Brig. Gen. Robert Anderson.
This officer, by right of seniority, has
been placed in command of the Depart.