The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-10
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Strategic Positions Held by the Rebels
to Resist the Advance Of the Union
lists Either by Land or Water.
The Feeling in Kentucky and Missouri
at the Present Time.
-~~~~-~->~->~>~~~~~-
The Rising Of the Tennesseeans Con-
nrmed by Correspondence Dated An
terror to the Battle Of Morristown.
Map Of the Vicinity of the
Contested Ground.
A UNION ADVANCE IN PERSPECTIVE,
&c., &C., &c.
A UNION ADVANCE IN PERSPECTIVE,
6c., &C., &C.
MAP or KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

Tho Union and Rebel POsitions-The Ad-
vance or the Union Troops, and tho
Places Selected by tho Rebels Points
or Resistancc-The Bridges Destroyed
by the Loyal Tennessccnns, &c.
In view Of the importance Of the struggle going
IN tho West induced TO present readers with
clear map Of the States of Tennessee Kentucky
ciudng much Of the surrounding vicinity, taking as
central point the rebel position at Bowling Green which
is situated the Louisville and Nashville Railroad at
the junction between that and the road leading TO Men,
phs The strategic Importance Of Bowling Green made
apparent TO all at glance and its possession by the
bells gives them the command Of the most advantageous
means Of reinforcement both in men and the commits
sarat well ready route to the Mississippi In the
event Of the advance Of the feet from Cairo A troops
are continually pouring into Louisville neary due north
rom Bowling Green) and General Rosseau's Union camp
10 situated at Muldraws Hill miles nearer the
rebel camp, and the railroad the rebels TO prevent
che advance Of the Union troops-and which advance
must be apparent to hem-have destroyed the railroad
bridge across the Green river, to interfere with
their transit. Union camps are, however, locat-
cd at Danvile, Lexington and Somerset, on the
road from Cincinnati through Covington, from
which places good travelled roads lead into Tennessee
Cumberland Gap and at point farther west and higher
up the Cumberland river. These points guarded by
the rebels, and doubtless viii be warmly contested Il
attacked From Bowling Green to Memphis 1t is appa-
rent that tho rebels have occupied all positions the
railroad likely to be attacked and, several functions
break in upon the main line communicating with Nash
vile, Hickman and Columbus, it is important that they
should not lose the possession Of any part Of the road
~ 10 enable them TO Immediately concentrate their
troops at any Of the exposed positions 1t also
important that the Union troops should gain possession
Of somo Of these branches, or even Of the main line
itself.
Another mporan. feature is the terrific efforts that are
being made by the rebels to further ory Columbus
the many bluffs and points Of the Mississippi river
70 resist retard and perhaps annihate eet about
70 start from Cairo Whether they do the last MOI
b question Of tme suffice it to say they certainly did
not succeed in doing at Hilton Head Hateras Inlet
Tybee Island The railroad lines before noticed
vey troops 70 all these important points, if beaten
the rst hurry them to the second third and
unth they reach Memphis New Orleans Al
though hold Paducah the troops cannot readily be
transferred those Of tho rebels.
The Cumberland Mountains important, containing
they do, several important strategic positions Cum
Oerland Gap and Winter Gap have been often prn
viously mentioned that nothing further needed than h
map to show their exact locality
Passing therefose to the south notice the railroad
TO Richmond and the main line of communication between
the rebel forces East West and South BY reference
the map appears that less than FIVE bridges have
been destroyed by the Unionsts of Tennessee thereby
cutting off this communication and retardng the advance
Of troops from Virginia to Memphis and the Mississippi
Further than this have recently received the
that Acting General Pason Brownow has taken posses
sion Of part Of the line at Morristowna point situated
nearly due south of Cumberland Gap.
That the mountains Of East Tennessee and Western
North Carolina contain strong Union residents there
be doubt, and that these are rising in behalf
tho Union have abundant proof These facts in
oecton with the Mississippi oet, make this the most i'm
portant part Of the struggle at the present time