Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-25
Of inc NashTiIIe Union and American,
BOWLING GREEN. Ky, Dec. IS.

Special Correspondence OF the Nashville Union and American,
BOWLING GREEN, Ky, Dec. IS.
Expectation has been so often disappointed II a.
we were upon the eve Of, or about to witness ad.
VGnces by troops, on that contemplated forward
movement upon the front of the enemy was to be
put into immediate execution that similar failure
OF hope may be entertained when it is known that
this and an opposing army ia actually in motion.
The Federal General, BUELL., with formidable
force, estimated at not less than As 900, and by
many at 6O,00O, well armed and equipped men is
and has been for several days past moving in the
direction of Bowling Green. Coupled with the ad-
vance Of the Lincolnites, an unusual preparation
for attack and repulsion Of the promiseuous mass
being made here. Movements of an immense ma
ture, not to be made public, and which it would be
impolitic TO make mention of, are in progress and
being pushed forward, all of which tend to prove
that terrible conflict is impending. A ssnguinary
struggle is in the prospective, and it is hoped and
confidently believed that signal victory will crown
our success, and put to humiliang defeat the mis-
guided and imbecile collection of humanity to be
met.
A force whose strength is not less than 6,o0CI
the advance of BUEIL's army, have certainly cross
our advance under Gen. HRDMIE at Cave City. 1t
was reported few days since that the advance of
the enemy had retrested across Green River, and
in part the report was true.
Gen. HHBMAS changed the locality of the picket
force from Immediately in front of the enemy,
who imagining that flank movement was being
made, and that they were to be surrounded fed in
the greatest Of disorder leaving behind them their
tents, wagons and baggage. The fight is reported
by our scouts as having been re stampede
the Federals running at at double-quick pace over
five miles, stopping only when theyI became ex-
hausted
Finding that they had been duped into big
scare, second only to that Of Cumberland Ford
they returned the following day, Friday, and are
now within distance of thirty miles from this
place and not over five from the position occupied
by Gen. HIEDNAN.
'The wicked fee when no man pursueth"
The entire clan recently at Nolln has been moved
in the direction of Green river upon whose banks
there Is now not less than IS 900 men. Removed
from the appearance Of such force, additional
evidence, were it wanting, could be adduced to
satisfy al that the opening of decisive winter
campaign in Kentucky Is at hand, and that naught
but an Interpolation of Providence can much Ion
ger stay the progress or, avert the cslamities of
mighty passage st arms. We are prepared for the
worst, aad will meet it IN desperate stand to be
made here.
Gen. BRECxNRID0E's brigade, which left here last
week in the direction of Green river, wss at Oak
land yesterday, twelve miles North, and were pre-
pairing to move to another locality last evening.
Last Friday morning skirnhh took place across
Green river, near Brownsville, situated about %
miles from this place. A squad Of the enemy, eight
or ten In number made their appearance on the
North bank and commenced firing upsn several of
our scouts who were passing by.
The FIRE Was Immediately returned by our boys,
killing two Of the enemy, the remainder teanper
ing OF leaving the bodies of their comrades where
they fell. None Of our scouts were wounded, all
Of whom remained until evening near the scene of
where they were fired upon, and since their return
report that at dark the two dead Federals lay
where they were killed. The cswardice of the en-,
envy is only equSlled by his cold inhumanity and
irrespect for the dead who, upon more occasions
than one, have been permitted to remain upon thu
field to be speedily converted into csrrion and
nure.
Saturday lsst Federal soIdierin full uniform was
found wandering around the suburbs with spy
glass in his hand, apparently making observations
of the different fortihcations. When arrested, he
represented himself as q deserter from the New
York 45th regiment, and that he had made his wsy
from the Potomac to this place.
His story Is not PLAUSIBLE one, and it Is more
than probsble that he is one of Col WILLIcHs reg
iment, which was put to fight near WoodsOnville,
by the Texas Rangers few days since. Wander
ing about in the woods, and unacquainted with the
geography of the country in which he was, he
found himself on the banks of Barren river which
he evidently mistOok for the stream he had but re-
Gently crossed.
When arrested he was almost starved, buta good
supper and nights Judgment in Jail have recupers
ted him to such degree that q trip TO Richmond
will not seriously interfere with his present phyti-
cal condition.
Yesterday morning & gentleman direct from
Hawesville, Hancock county, reached here having
left the Ohio river Thursday, 18th inst. BE stated
tiat the force under command Of Ton. CRIrFENDES,
who were recently at Calhoun, have crossed Green
river and are now at Henderson preparing TO move
Ia another direction.
He says that CRrrrESDES undoubtedly designs to
cooperate with the advance of BUELL. above, by
making fInk movement. and attacking our forces
at HopkinGvills under command Of General CLARK
In this event CRITTESDES will avail himself Of that
portion Of the unfinished railroad leading from
Henderson forty five miles in the direction of Gen.
CLARKs command, for the transportation of his
troops.
oRrrTESDsSS force is Represented as being nearly
twelve thousand strong, while that of CLARks, al,
though not large WILL in the event of an engage
ment successfully cope with that of the migrate
Kentucky mule commander.
The lovely weather, and at this season. unnatural
has changed from that of balmy spring to chilling
blasts of wind and cold rains. LEXINGTON.
Subtitle Richmond Whig is informed that the |
water at the Salt Works in Smythe county Va, ia |
abundant for the production of salt enough to sup
ply the world, and at cost not exceeding twenty
FIVE or thirty cents per bushel This is a matter Of
tso vital importance to the whole Southern Confed-
erarv IN ba neglected and II pIiyate captalsts do