The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-19
THE INVASION FROM EASTERN KENTUCKY.

II has been apparent for many months and is obvious
that the enemy is making formidable demons,ra
ton towards East Tennessee from Eastern Kentucky.
Our correspondence from Tazcwell county, IA South
western Virginia, which published yesterday. sets
down the column operating against Colonel Williams at
ten thousand strong and It was believed that the oI
before General Zoco.ier, from which that General has
been obliged to retreat upon Cumberland Gap, proba-
bly, twice large. Az the time that hear Of tho
retreat OF Colonel Williams upon Pond Gap, hear
apprehtnsons expressed for the @fhy Of General Zli
Golfer at Cumberland Gap.
The object OF the enemy in pushing forward these
columns is probably hrceold The chief purpose, doubt
less bring into its own support the large disairced
element Of the population in Fast Tennessee which have
been corrupted by The camor Of Andy Johnson Maynard
Brownow and Trigg The next object Of the enemy IS,
probably get possession Of the salt works in the
Of ~myth county, where hall million Of bush
els Of salt year now manufactured And last, but
not least the enemy aims at the possession OF portion Of
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, as to CIT our
direct Communication from the seat o, governm with
Nashville, Memphis and our armies in Western Ken
tucky. The candcstinc burning of bridges, ut a con.
eerted period in Easter Tennessee proves the enemy
designs upon this important highway OF transportation
and travel.
1t is very plain that however government may
depreciate the Importance of these designs OF the
enemy, the enemy himself is pushing them for
ward with his accustomed enterprise and
II looks now as If the old tactics are to be re-
peated We are sit still until The country is occupied:
until enemy has entered, taken possession and made
himself at home; and then 70 wake up to the fact
that something must be Gone. In military tactics,
less than in medical economy does she maxim hold gooi
that of prevention is worth pound OF II
late 10 brlDE LIDS maxim MO- Anew
regiments, and a moderate supply Of arms, ammunition
ami artillery properly but Immediately distributed at
commanding points in Southwestern Virginia, Eastern
Tennessee, and along the chief approaches from Ken
lucky will do than great army could effect IL
once the enemy gets into that region Of country.
southwestern Virginia Is inrinsicay very important
to the southern She has sent large quota
of her young men into the Confederate army.
Her population true, and we have earnest Of
what it is disposed to do in the announcement from
TazeweIl, which published yesterday that General
Bowen Of that county bringing his brigade Of mill
the field to meet the enemy in the passes Of the
Cumberland Mountains. That is the temper Of the people
in all the counties Of that region, Smyth Wythe, Wash
ngtoD Russell Lee Scott Wise, Buchanan and Tazewel
They lack ARMS and ammunition but they do not lack the
disposition fight the enemies Of Virginia. meet
and drive back the minons Of Lincoln They may lack
skill with artillery but they Of the rife and
know how to make that instrument speak language be-
fore which the stoues invader must recoi No govern
ment can afford let such population this be over
run lose district from which many Of its best
soldiers supplied. Enthusiastically important South
western Virginia Is to the government, from the
qualities OF its people, 1t is important from
and East Tennessee be consequence tos the empire of the
South is cut in train and become rdgnentary orgn.
nsat;o fghiag scattered and segregated localities for
cause sUhich longer 6oass the important attribute o.
! oeoQrdphicdl unity.
We are glad TO believe that the government is fully i'm
pressed with these views and that orders have already
been issued meet the emergency OF the strong
demonstration in the threatened quarter would
the enemy and keep him at bay behind the rocky
part Of the Cumberland ridge OF the Aeghanies II he
knows that the whole secession population OF the
ties Of southwestern Virginia armed provided with
ammunition and artillery, awaiting his approach, and
that several Confederate regiments are guarding the
passes Of the mountains and the line or the railroad hi
will not dare TO show his face the eastern slope of
Cumberland barrier he should have the temeritJ
TO attempt TO force the passes.