Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-25
Lctter fror Lebnnon. IlentncI.r.

The following extracts are clipped from a let
ter to the Louisville Journal, dated ut Lebanon
Ky, October IG:
As l informed you by telegraph last evening
three men passed through Lebanon yesterday
afternoon on their way to their homes from the
Southern Conlederacy. One of the party was
an old gentleman who resides in Mercer county.
He has two Sons in the Confederate army. and
had visited Buckner's headquarters to see them.
He was accompanied on his return by young
men from Eaycttc county, who said they had
gone South TO join the army. but, as they would
not receive recruits for a shorter period than
three years, they determined TO return home. A
highly respected citizen O.. this place -C0nEeresa
with the OLD gentleman from Mercer county. and
having had am acquaintance of many years
standing with him, knew what estimate TO place
upon the statements which hc made. Nv IN
tormaut does not hesitate 30 place full confidence
in the reports which lhe Traveller bring, relative
to the situation and motions of the rebel army.
Tie SAYS that the divisions under BuckEer.
Polk, and ZOllicOfer are combining, and that
when the commands are finally Joined, the grand
army under Polk viii embrace from thirty to
forty thousand men, who are well armed and
equipped. it is the policy of the rebels to draw
out Gen. RousseaU'5 forces as FIR as possible on
the line of the Louisville and Nashville road, and
then, with their superior force, TO flank General
Rousseau, cut off his retreat, and then, with the
Federal forces completely in their power, make
an easy conquest of Louisville.
Tn officers of the rebel army, he says, are
regularly informed as to the movements Of the
Federal force, familiar with their numbers, and
posted as to their leading designs. The rebel
spies are said TO be cunuingaud active, employ
ing means heretofore UuheaTd of to a]cquaint
themselves with the movements of tbs FelcIals
They pass oar lines upon forged passes, and even
obtain passes through the counivance and in
reference Of persons of influence who are
thought to be loyal. 1t is the custom of rebel
hOrsemen to rip open their saddles, Secrete their
correspondence in them, sew them up again, and
thus avert detection, even after. submitting to-
igid search. In some cases they sccrete letters
in the lining Of their horses brides, and thus
delude the Federal guards.
The old gentleman alluded to saws that ROGER
Hanson is at Woodsouville, which Is the nearest
point toward Louisville on the Nashville road at
which the rebels have any considerable force.
They are making intrcuchmeuts and erecting
batteries there, and viii strongly oppose the Fed
eIal advance beyond Woodsouyille. He says
that on sunday he saw twelve heavy pieces of
artillery there, which were being placed lu po-
sition.
lie was fully posted in reference to the Skin
mish between Col Critteudeu's pickcts and
those ofthe rebels al Bacon Greek, on SATURDAY
last, mention of (which has already been made in
the journal. John Morgan, of Lexington,
headed the rebel forces, and it was he who dis
mounted from his horse and shot the Indiana
captain. Morgan passed through Lebanon about
six weeks ago with several wagon loads of lin
sey for the Confederate army. He had permits
and passes from the Federal authorities, and let
ters from leading Union men. In this way pro-
tessed Union men in our very midst have done
more 10 aid the rebellion than those who have
pculy avowed their sympathies for the traitors.
The traveller spoke with a display of glee Of
the condition and numbers of the rebel army Of
the perfect confidence which they feltin an early
victory, and of the completeness of their arma-
mentS and general outfit. ! saw a body Of over
two thousand Indians, who were spIeudidlv
equipped, each bearing a bowie knife Of almost
fabulous proportions, in addition TO the ordinary
arm worn by the infantry
/ have Just had an interview with a member
of an extensive mercantile firm in New York.
who has interests South, and who has Travelled
extensively in the South, having left Buckn6r's
headquarters at Bowling Green ON Monday. He
says thqt Buclner has 10000 men at Bowling
Green, and Gen. Hardee is in command at Cave
City. On Friday last Z1llico1cr was I'm Rich
mond. lie has a force of two thousand at Cum
berland Gap, but his main force of eight thou
sand is at ~Youngsviile, a distgpce Of twenty
miles from the railroad, ready for transportation
to Nashville for service on the N~ashvildrOad.
Ny informant says il is not the policy of the.
rebels to oppose Gen. RousseaU'S progress down
the Nashville road until his forces shall have
crossed Green river.
For obvious reasons the rebel pickets ant.
scouts have all been withdrawn from the regioui
of country between Bowling Green. Glasgow,
and Greensburg, and my informant is clearly Of
opinion that it wouidbe fatal to Gen. Rousseau's
command to cross the Green river with anything
Ike the present force under his command.