Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-11
The Fight nj bridgeport, Tenn.

Correspondence of tbe Augusta Chronicle and sentine
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, April 30.-In closing
my letter OF Monday told you that the Federal.
lists had advanced on Bridgeport, and there would
probably be q fight near that point To-day |
have to inform you that an attack was made upon
our forces yesterday in such overwhelming num-
bers that we were forced to retire from the con-
test. Since the reception of this intelligence the
city has been in the highest state Of excitement,
and the widest aud most improbable stories are
afiOat. Amid all the exaggerated statements il
IS hard to Gull truth from error, but have tried
to get really reliable information and think tho
following statement of the fight IS Ieorrect The
main body Of our troops were on this side (the
east Side) Of the river, while two companies OF
the 39th Georgia regiment were left on the west
side for the purpose Of bringing over some artil-
leTy The enemy attacked these two companies,
opening upon them heavy FIRE which caused
them to retreat to the main body in coming
over the bridge ear on which were two cannon,
(aud the brakes Of which had become disorder
edl, got under too much headwsy, and, rushing
violently onward, ran over some fifteen or twenty
OF our men, cutting off legs, arms, etc, and
otherwise seriously injuring them. One or two
are so seriously injured that they viii probably
live but short time
When the above companies reached the main
body, and gave information to the general of the
advance OF the Federals, lie gave orders to re
treat
While our troops were crossing the bridge they
were exposed to a most murder0us fire for the
enemy's Tihed cannon end Mimic riAes How
many were killed | cannot ascertain Owing to
the snddenness Of the attack, and the superior
numbers Of the enemy, but little resistance was
made by our troops They destroyed portions
Of the bridge, and left for this point
Whether Gen. Ledbetler will endeaYor to make
a stand here cannot say. He certainly cannot
do so unless reinforcenaents are sent here without
delsy. Where are such rsinforcements TO come
from certainly not from Kirby Smith, for he
has as much as he can attend to in checking the
Federal advance where be now is
Report says our forces are preparing to evscu-
ate the Gap and to fall back frOm East Tennes-
see. Can this be so When win cur rulers
learn better than to send raw and almost undis
ciplined troops TO check the advance of well
drilled and well-disciplned sTmyl The most
part of the soldiers here have never been in &C.
ton, sRd have not been long enough under arms
to stand hre. Unless the policy of the govern
ment is changed, Tennesseeis is lost TO the Con
fsderscy, and our people viii be held down at the
point Of the bsyonet
A train left here early this morning, under
command of Gen, Reynolds On nearing Bridge
port the Federals opened upon them, throwing
several shells at the train; fortunately no one
was burt, and the train returned. Gen Rsy-
nolds is now here with aIl his command He
reports that the enemy are crossing the Island
at Bridgeport, but their force could not be as
certained, though it was quite large The bridge
was not entirely destroyed, and the damage was
only on the covered portion which contained the
draw.
We have had here two OF three thousand sick
soldiers, these are now being removed, together
with the surplus stock Of the railroad
Crest CONSERVATION exists among our Iesi-
dents as they think It will be short time ere
the enemy advance upon the city. God knows
we have reason to fear that such viii be the case.
Will write again.