Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-24

Ftdsrd troops beyond Green Dissatisfaction
among hsB-Pettion for The release Of Es-GoU.
Morshsdd- Promotion Of Confederate cdfesrs-lfal-
draugh's Hid.
BOWLING GREEN, Oct. p. 1861.
The Federal forces between Nolin and Elizabeth
town, dstsnce of twelve miles-is estimated at
mot 900 men, while the entire force including
those at Lebanon on the line to Louisville does not
exceed Is 900 men; some however estimate the
force as high as %, 600, my figures are obtained
from gentleman who left Louisville, last Saturday
and no doubt approximate to the exact number.
RoussEAU's forces are, in the main, from Ohio and
Indiana, among whom considerable dissatisfaction
exists owing to the indifference manifested by Ken
tuekians as TO their success. To add to the feud
ROUSSEAU Is very unpopular among the soldiery,
it having been animated that the forces would not
| go into battle under him. Gen. SHERMAN, however,
has promised that whenever an engagement occurs,
he will cCmuand the column intended to sweep all
before them.
1 About one thousand cavalry passed through
Elizabethtown Sunday, on their way to Noin. They
are representa- as being miserably equipped, over
one,haf of them riding bare back.
! CHARLES BRIGGS, Esq, law partner Of cx-Gcv.
CHAINS s. MOREHEAD, arrived here to-day from
Louisville via Cloyerfort. He represents that
petitions were being circulated and numerously
signed in Louisville by the Union msn, for the re-
lease of Gov. MOREHEAD and Z. II. DuRREIT, Esq,
formerly of the Louisville Courier The petitioBs
were beng signed by all to whom they were pre-
sented and it is more than probable that both gem
tlemen will be released.
Hon. T. c. HMDMAN, ex.M C. from Arkansas
arrived here to-day from Richmond, having been
appointed Brigadier General in the Confederate
army, and assigned to duty under Gen. JOHNSTON
Gen. kHNDMlN is young man of extraordinary
capacity and eminent ability; his appointment re-
fac:s credit upon the Department, and will rebound
to the welfare and success Of the cause. Gen. HAIR
DEE who has been in command of the Arkansas
forces, has been appointed MAJOR General and or
dered to this Department. He is one among the
most efficient officers in the service, and as tao
tician is second to in the world. 1 promise
you at no distant day a sketch Of his life, and pen
portrait of the man.
What the determination of those in command
here is, of the disposition to be made of the troops
of this division l cannot knowingly speak, but
would not be disappointed if an advance was made
upon Muldraugh's Ill., where the LincoInites are
reported as being strongly fortified.
Muldraugh's Hill Is continuation Of the Cum
berland range of mountains terminating in q bold
bluff at the Ohio river, in Hardin county and now
Invested at Its principal passes By Federaists it
presents no shattic importance or natural
strength, as far as the forward movements of the
Confederate forces now congregating here, and
which constitute the Centrs Division of this army
are concerned.
Had the Southrons entered the State in time to
have planted batteries at such crossings as would
be used in travel to and from Louisville and also
on the plateau commanding that portion of the
range through which the great tunnel of the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad passes, comp aratveIy
small forces could have maintained themselves
against largely superior number. The ascent from
the Northern side of the hill is very abrupt and
under command CT long range, while the sp
prOach from the South is over table land, render
ing the attitude scarcely percepble until arriving
at Its very crest. Had the limited number of troops
however, which General BUcxxER had with
him on first arriving here been thrown
forward at that time, there would have
been no reason to believe ether THAI that with
| the road to Lebanon in their possession, SHERMAN
and ROUSSEAU could have at once placed their forces
in his rear, thereby cutting off sll communication
with the Volunteer State,' through which the
main army, artillery, stores, etc, forming
! this division, would have to pass. The tenn.
porary occupation therefore, of the country north
of Green river by the heterogeneous band of for
eign mereenaries composing SHEaNiN's and RoUs-
sEGUs brigades, hounded on and aided in their de-
predstions by e few Kentuckians, ycept Union
men, has been unavoidable.
The true people Of that section however, are rep
resented in the Confederate army here by many of
theit brayest and best, who, under the guidance of
able commanders, are rapidly becoming familiar
with the soldiers duties and will joyfully move for
ward, when in the judgment Of the distinguished
military chieftain directing operations here the op
perfume time shall have arrived to advance and ex-
terminate the vile hirelings occupying this soil.
LtxNGTON.
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